Page 1 of 330 The Monthly National Legislation Report 7/5/2010 ...

The Monthly National Legislation Reporthttp://mnlreport.typepad.com/Page 191 of 3307/5/2010Annapolis - (6/19/09) - Gov. Martin O'Malley is asking the state's attorney general to review Maryland's animal cruelty laws. The Governor's office has received a flood of e-mails after newsreports about a dog set on fire in Baltimore City.Baltimore - (6/2/09) - American Bird Conservancy has produced a new, short film “Trap, Neuter, and Release: Bad for Cats, Disaster for Birds” that claims that a feral cat managementprogram called trap, neuter, and release is failing to substantially reduce cat numbers and is contributing to the deaths of millions of birds each year, including endangered species. Trap,neuter, and release (TNR) programs catch feral cats, neuter them, and then release them back to colonies. In theory, these cat colonies will diminish over time through attrition, andeventually disappear. “The truth is that TNR fails to eliminate cat colonies, and instead perpetuates many of the problems these colonies create, including the predation of birds and otherwildlife, risks to human and wildlife health, and public nuisance,” Steve Holmer, American Bird Conservancy’s spokesman said in a statement. “Feral and free-roaming cats kill hundreds ofmillions of our nation’s birds each year, putting additional pressure on the populations of many species that are in decline.” The film highlights two cases where trap and release has beenused. One, at Ocean Reef, a gated, private residential community in the Florida Keys; and one at a public park in Miami. The film finds that 500 cats continue to roam the community 15years after the program began. In Miami, the cat population grew, too. “A better solution is to trap, neuter, and remove feral cats, and then relocate them to enclosed cat sanctuaries orshelters, or, where possible, to adopt them out to safe and comfortable homes,” Holmer said.MASSACHUSETTS(6/16/09) - On July 14 there is a scheduled hearing on an act to prohibit the devocalization of cats and dogs in the Joint Committee on Judiciary. That hearing will decide whether the billwill live, dies, or is possibly added to the state’s animal protection laws. State Reps. Mike Rush and Jeffrey Sanchez are co-sponsors of the bill, which has more than 40 co-sponsors. Clickhere for Full text of HB344.Scituate - (6/25/09) - According to state law and the bylaws of the Town of Scituate, all dogs must be licensed annually. Dog licenses for 2009 are now available in the town clerk’s office.The 2008 licenses are valid only until June 30. Fees are $15 for a male or female and $10 for a spayed or neutered dog. Proof of spaying and neutering is required at the time of licensing.State law also requires proof of a current rabies vaccination. Office hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 pm. Tuesdays; and 8:30 to 11:45a.m., Fridays. Notify the clerk’s office if a dog has a new owner or is deceased by calling 781-545-8743.MICHIGANSaugatuck - (6/21/09) - (*Ed.note - THIS is a classic!) - City Council members want canines off Oval Beach and the surrounding city land, but will let them stay in vehicles in the parking lot.“This is not anti-dog, it’s pro-people and dogs,” said Councilman Bill Hess about rules council discussed Thursday, June 18. City Manager Kirk Harrier will draw up a proposed ordinance forcouncil action in July. The new rules will ban dogs from the park but allow them to stay in vehicles. People who pay the entrance fee can get into the park with their dogs, but cannot letthem out of the vehicle. Currently, dogs are banned from the beach, but people continue to bring their animals to the park, Harrier said, causing health and safety concerns. Beach visitorshave said that the concession stand and restrooms are not technically beach area, so they have brought their dogs to eating areas and into the bathrooms. “Only an idiot takes a dog to theconcession stand and restroom,” said Councilman Mark Bekken.Warren - (6/24/09) - Thanks to Diana for the update and report ! About 7 pit bull advocates showed up at the meeting last night, Shayne brought her pit bull who is a certified therapy dog(Akiva). When the council saw all those pit bull advocates there, they took the BSL ordinance OFF the agenda right away! Pit Bull people at the meeting got together outside and exchangedcontact info. They are going to make sure they go to each subsequent meeting until this issue is off the table or resolvedwithout BSL. Advocates talked with council members before and after the meeting, some council members even pet Akiva and loved on her. At least two council members said they weretotally against BSL, but we'll have to wait and see.Anyone interested in joining those who will continue to show a presence atfuture council meetings should contact Tanya - teenie2us@yahoo.com or Shayne- parrothead1624@yahoo.comHere is the draft of the proposed ordinance in its entirety:An ordinance amending chapter 7 of the code of ordinances for the city ofWarren relating to pit bulls.Sec. 7-133. PurposeIt is the purpose and intent of the City of Warren through the adoption of this ordinance to regulate ownership of pit bulls.Sec. 7-134. Definition of Pit BullFor the purpose of this ordinance, a "pit bull" is defined as and includes American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majorityof physical traits of anyone or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or theUnited Kennel Club for any of the above breeds.Sec. 7-135. Other OrdinancesAn owner of a pit bull shall comply with all other ordinances in Ch. 7 of the Code of Ordinances in addition to the requirements set forth in this Article VI.Sec. 7-136. Spay/NeuterAll owners of pit bulls in the City of Warren shall have the pit bull either spayed or neutered.Sec. 7-137. License and vaccinationAll pit bulls shall be properly licensed and vaccinated.Sec. 7-138. On property other than owner's propertyA pit bull while on any property other than the owner's property, including public property and sidewalks, shall be muzzled and attached to a leash sufficiently strong enough so that the pitbull cannot break free of the leash.Sec. 7-139. On owner's residential propertyA pit bull on an owner's residential property shall not be left alone or otherwise unattended outside of the owner's house or home if there is not a person of at least 18 years of age at thehouse or home to supervise the pit bull. If there is no one of at least 18 years of age to supervise the pit bull, the pit bull cannot be left outside the home, in a garage, in a dog house or otherstructure, but rather must be left inside the owner'sresidential house or home.Sec. 7-140. On business propertyPit bulls are prohibited on any business and/or commercial property in the City of Warren, excluding veterinary clinics and veterinary hospitals.