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Legislation
MA HOUSE BILL 1023
July 21, 2011
At the last minute, MassFed was able to obtain the name and contact information of the constitutent who requested Rep. Peterson to file HB1023. The goal is to open a doggie daycare center and his town officials were unable to interpret state law and would not allow this constituent to open the business. Unfortuantely, there were no other agencies (Bureau of Animal Health, Attorney General, etc) who would interpret the state laws for town officials so the bill was filed with unforseen consequences due to the language. MassFed will work with Rep. Peterson and/or the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to see that this matter is handled in the constituent's town and if this bill goes forward it will be with revised language that will not classify training centers and dog shows as "kennels".
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Protect Your Rights! Don't Let Others Make the Decisions for Your Pets
As a regional club, Mayflower promotes responsible pet ownership on every level, from breeder ethics, to running an active and successful rescue program. We believe that each owner, breeder, family, has the right to make ethical and responsible decisions for their pets and as such we strive to bring you up to date information about proposed legislation within the Mayflower PWCC family of states. These states include Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine and New York. We urge you to flag this page as your 'favorite' and check in often. Legislation happens quickly, and often with little notice. Please help every dog owner across the country to maintain their individual rights by voting with your voice.
10/7/2009 With the exception of Massachusetts all state legislatures are in recess. |
Legislation You Should Care About
| CT | AN ACT CONCERNING OWNERS OF DOGS THAT HAVE VICIOUS DISPOSITIONS OR THAT BARK EXCESSIVELY.
Bill 5011 That section 22-363 of the general statutes be amended to provide that any person who owns or harbors a dog in violation of the statute a second or subsequent time within thirty days of the first offense be required to make a court appearance.
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| | MA | ACT REGULATING THE SALE OF DOGS
MA HB2886 No person, commercial establishment, pet shop, firm or corporation shall sell in the commonwealth a dog or cat less than 8 weeks of age. Violation of this section shall result in a $100 fine per offense.
| | MA | DAMAGES FOR MALICIOUS INJURY
MA HB1250 allows for payment for damages include emotional distress and loss of companionship. MassFed opposes because it raises the legal status of animals to that of humans. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners Virginia Rowland, President; Blackslate@aol.com; 978-424-1044 Holly Stump, Legislative Specialist; hollystump@hickoryhillkennel.com; 978-356-1644
NO ACTION TO DATE
| | ME | An Act to require all kennels involved in breeding to be licensed and inspected
LD 491 This bill amends the definitions of "breeding kennel" and "kennel" in the animal welfare laws. It requires a person keeping 5 or more dogs, wolf hybrids or cats that are capable of breeding to obtain a license as a breeding kennel from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources. It clarifies that a person maintaining a licensed breeding kennel is not required to obtain a municipal kennel license and is not subject to inspection by an animal control officer. It requires a person with a municipal kennel license to obtain a vendor's license to sell more than one dog or cat per year. Referred to committee on Agriculture.
BILL IS DEAD.
| | NH | OWNERSHIP LIMITS AND OTHER RESTRICTIONS
Senate Bill 370 seeks to impose ownership limits and other restrictions on responsible dog breeders and owners, has been introduced and will be considered by the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Thursday, January 19, 2012:
Limiting any person from owning more than 50 intact dogs over the age of six months for the purpose of breeding those animals and selling any offspring for use as a pet. Requiring any person having more than 10 female dogs covered by the statute to provide specific care and conditions requirements. Mandating that all debarking, tail docking, and surgical births be done by a licensed veterinarian and with anesthesia.
Authorizing any duly-appointed agent of a humane society, SPCA incorporated in New Hampshire, or animal control officer to investigate possible violations on the Agriculture Commissioner’s initiative or pursuant to complaints.
The AKC opposes several provisions in the bill as introduced All responsible dog breeders and owners in New Hampshire are encouraged to attend the Senate Executive Departments and Administrative Committee’s meeting on Thursday, January 19, and respectfully testify in opposition to SB 370 as currently written.
Hearing Information:
Thursday, January 19, 2012
10:45AM
Room 100
State House
107 North Main Street
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
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| | NY | Suffolk County proposed legislation regarding "commercial kennels" HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN!!!
BILL HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN DUE TO OBJECTIONS RAISED BY BREEDERS AND OWNERS.
he Suffolk County, New York Legislature has scheduled a public hearing on August 2 for IR-1545. Even as amended, this bill continues to contain numerous inaccurate, misleading, and unsubstantiated claims that impugn the integrity of dog breeders from outside Suffolk County and implies that all professional/commercial dog breeders are “substandard” or “puppy mills”.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) appreciates the sponsor’s willingness to remove misleading and inaccurate claims made about the AKC. However, other significant concerns remain and the AKC encourages Suffolk County residents to politely but firmly express their concerns about this measure by attending the public hearing August 2 and by directly calling and emailing members of the county legislature.
Scroll down for hearing and contact information.
Summary:
The Legislative Intent contained in Suffolk County IR-1545 describes conditions of animal cruelty and neglect that are illegal throughout the United States—and inaccurately assigns those conditions to commercial kennels. The American Kennel Club supports full enforcement of cruelty and negligence laws and advocates for additional resources wherever needed to assist local, state and federal authorities in enforcing these laws.
IR 1545 makes numerous other broad and inaccurate claims, including:
Stating the Suffolk County Legislature can educate consumers about such conditions by prohibiting Suffolk County pet shops from selling or adopting out puppies.
Implying that all female dogs bred in the United States are mistreated, abandoned and/or killed.
Assuming that no “commercial breeders” are responsible (the term “commercial breeder” is not defined). The legislative intent in this bill neglects the real issue of animal welfare, which focuses on the quality of care given to animals, not whether an individual can make a profit in breeding and raising quality pets.
The bill also:
Outlaws the sale of puppies at traditional, licensed and regulated pet stores.
Permits shelters and rescues to operate unlicensed pet stores by purchasing puppies through regulated or unregulated wholesale channels for resale in Suffolk County.
How You Can Help:
Attend the hearing and express your concerns with IR 1545. The meeting information is as follows:
Date: Tuesday, August 2
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Hauppauge Legislative Auditorium
W.H. Rogers Legislature Building
725 Veterans Memorial Highway
Smithtown, NY 11787
Contact committee members and express your opposition to IR 1545. Click here to view and personalize a sample letter.
The AKC Government Relations Department will continue to closely monitor this legislation. For more information, contact AKC GR at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.
| | NY | Definition of pet dealers
A78 Pet dealer means any person sells or offers for sale nine or more dogs or cats born or raised on premises other than the premises of said person; (b) maintains a total of six sexually intact female dogs or cats six months of age or older and who sells or offers for sale any of the offspring of such dogs or cats; or (c) sells or offers for sale to the public ten or more dogs or cats in a calendar year. Such definition shall include breeders who sell or offer to sell animals. Premises" means the home, homestead, place of business or operation of any individual or person, including a pet dealer, and includes all of the land, property, housing facilities or any combination thereof, on, in or through which any dog or cat is kept, bred, harbored,
Sent to Committee on Agriculture 1/5/2011
| | RI | DEVOCALIZATON PROHIBITED
RI S2193 No person shall surgically debark or silence a dog or cat, or cause the surgical debarking or silencing of a dog or cat, unless a veterinarian licensed in this state has filed a written certification with the applicable animal control officer stating that the surgical debarking or silencing is medically necessary to treat or relieve an illness, disease, or injury, or correct a congenital abnormality that is causing or will cause the dog or cat medical harm or pain.
Introduced, referred to Senate Environment and Agriculture - 01/24/2012
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| | VT | Debarking, docking, cropping, c section be performed by licensed veterinarian
H. 229 This bill proposes to require that debarking, tail docking, and surgical birth procedures on dogs be performed only by licensed veterinarians and with the animal under general anesthesia. Received first reading. Referred to committee on Judiciary.
| | VT | DEFINITION OF PET MERCHANT
VT HB303 bill proposes to require that a person that sells more than one litter of animals per year or two or more animals over the age of six months to a consumer for monetary consideration be licensed as a pet merchant. The bill also proposes to require the agency of agriculture, food and markets to inspect the premises of a pet merchant before issuing a pet merchant license.
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Sample Letters
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