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

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The Monthly National Legislation Reporthttp://mnlreport.typepad.com/Page 210 of 3307/5/2010killed.Laberge tried to clarify her comments with "There are seven members of the GAAC and we don't always agree. I have only one vote and sometimes I am in the minority on a decision, anexample was the regulation to ban all tethering. I stated at the time that I thought that was a mistake and it has proven true, but the Council voted and the majority of members at that timewanted to ban all tethering." In reality, there were no dissenting votes in approving this flawed bill which now has been corrected. If Laberge lacks the backbone to vote her conscience thenshe should not be in a leadership position.WE MUST get past this current thinking of justifying the excuses for killing a pet and push on to ways and methods for saving lives. The history and voting record of this GAAC, many ofwhom are long time members, will not be resolved without changes in the makeup and will of the council.We the Pet Owners of Gwinnett support a proposal that would have added in local pet owners from each commissioner's district. GAAC Chairperson Laberge has removed this proposal fromthe GAAC agenda. There have been no discussions or an up or down vote that addresses changing the makeup of the board to be more inclusive for local pet owners. In her explanation sheexplains "just because the topic of the GAAC was not on the April agenda does not mean the topic has been removed for future meetings. But I will remind you that in the end, theCommissioners decide the makeup of the GAAC. The Gwinnett Animal Advisory Council (GAAC) does not have the authority to expand the size of the GAAC. Enlarging the membership ofthe GAAC can only be done by the Gwinnett County Commissioners and the Commissioners are the only ones who can do the by-laws for the GAAC."That does not explain her efforts to halt discussions on this proposal. The GAAC does have a responsibility to discuss, vote on and send forward any proposals for board considerations. She iscorrect, however, in the end it will be up the BOC who answer to the voters to determine whether our animal advisory council includes voices from the pet owning community or continues todisenfranchise them instead.With the next meeting scheduled for July 21st, we will once again face the sad reality that "the business of killing our community's pets" is our animal welfare policy for the balance of 2009.This is clearly not acceptable to those demanding change.Jackson County - (5/1/09) - The scene has all the makings of a courtroom drama. The five-member panel hears testimony from both sides, with a lawyer and a police officer present.Then the panel goes behind closed doors to discuss the case and comes back to the room with a verdict. But this time, it’s not a person on trial; it’s a dog. The Jackson County DangerousDog Committee meets when cases come up regarding dogs that may be considered dangerous to the community. It’s up to the five-member committee to make sure residents are takingproper care of their pets and ensuring dangerous animals don’t harm anyone. Though no special training or certification is needed to be on the committee, the members are not without acommitment to keeping the community safe from dangerous dogs.HAWAII(5/18/09) - Animals can be shielded by temporary restraining orders and will receive greater protection from pet hoarders after state lawmakers passed two pieces of legislation aimed atexpanding and clarifying animal cruelty laws. A bill written by House Judiciary committee chairman Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, D-41st (Waipahu, Village Park, Waikele), allows the familycourt, in cases of domestic violence, to include animals under the protection of temporary restraining orders. A bill first introduced in the Senate will prohibit the use of pinch, choke orprong collars as a means of tethering an animal to a stationary object, and amends the hoarding law by defining an animal hoarder as an individual found in possession of more than 15 dogs,cats or a combination of dogs and cats. The previous number was 20. The bill also clarifies the misdemeanor offense of depriving an animal of sustenance, including food, water and shelter.The bill is aimed at owners who leave their animals tied up 24 hours a day, seven days a week and those who obsessively collect animals and kennel them. The legislation stops short oflimiting the number of hours an animal can be chained up — a provision the Humane Society of the United States had fought for.IDAHOSandpoint - (5/20/09) - The operators of an unregulated pet crematorium are seeking permit approval from Bonner County to open a new facility near Colburn.ILLINOISHighland Park - (5/4/09) - Highland Park Mayor Michael Belsky called for a citywide ban on pit bulls today. "These are mercurial dogs, they are unpredictable and they are lethal," Belskysaid. "I think we need to lead by example here, and maybe other communities will follow suit and create a groundswell, like the smoking ban." Belsky had already been working with statelegislators and several concerned residents about amending Illinois law so that the home rule community would be able to prohibit breeds, he said. Regardless of what legislators do, "myfeeling is we should be proactive and do it anyway," said Belsky. BSL will be discussed in Highland Park on Monday, June 22nd. Contact Highland Park City Council - click here.Mayor and City CouncilPhone: (847) 432-0800Fax: (847) 432-7625Mayor Michael Belsky2007-2011847-926-1009Email Mayor BelskyMichael C. BrennerMayor Pro Tem 2005-2009847-433-1270James KirschCouncilman 2005-2009847-926-8919Scott LevenfeldCouncilman 2007-2011312-441-1950Steven W. MandelCouncilman 2005-2009847-831-0373Terri R. OlianCouncilwoman 2007-2011847-432-5662Lawrence D. SilbermanCouncilman 2007-2011312-704-4095INDIANA
The Monthly National Legislation Reporthttp://mnlreport.typepad.com/Page 211 of 3307/5/2010Indianapolis - (5/12/09) - City officials have indefinitely tabled a rule that would have required all Indianapolis pit bulls to be sterilized. The Rules and Public Policy Committee Tuesdayvoted to hold off on considering the ordinance, which was introduced by City-County Council member Mike Speedy.Knox - (5/29/09) - A city councilman in Knox, Indiana has requested the council look atcreating a breed specific ordinance. Please send your POLITE AND RESPECTFUL opposition to breed specific legislation to Mayor Rick Chambers and the Knox city council via the city clerk,Jeff Houson, with a request to distribute to each council member. Please also send viable alternatives and other suggestions for their consideration, as well.Mayor Rick Chambers101 W. Washington St.Knox, IN 46534(574) 772-4553knoxmayor@nitline.netCity ClerkJeff Houston101 W. Washington St.Knox, IN 46534574) 772-3032Knoxct@nitline.netThe Knox city council meets on 2nd & 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.at Knox City Hall.IOWADesMoines - (4/30/09) -An attempt to crack down on so-called "puppy mills" that would have allowed state officials to inspect federally licensed dog breeders failed to gain approval in theLegislature this year. But a Davenport lawmaker is vowing to bring the issue before lawmakers again next year to help address the problem of dogs living in inhumane conditions. Supportersof the proposal said federal agriculture inspectors did a poor job of ensuring that federally licensed dog breeders were providing appropriate care. Animal rights activists used horrific photosand disturbing anecdotes of dogs being mistreated in Iowa to make their case. The proposal in front of the Legislature would have let state agriculture inspectors check out Iowa facilities thathold federal licenses when they received a complaint of animal abuse or neglect. The measure failed to gain traction with lawmakers as part of a budget bill in the closing hours of the 2009session, which ended Sunday morning. Instead, lawmakers approved an interim study on the issue, which Lykam hopes will shed light on what's happening in Iowa. "We lost the battle, butwe haven't lost the war," Lykam said. "This is still a live round."Oelwein - city may join the ranks of other communities across the state and beyond in elevating its local pet ordinance with specific language regarding certain breeds of dogs. OelweinMayor Larry Murphy asked councilmen Monday night to take another look at the city's dog ordinance in the wake of "more than normal" vicious dog hearings including a recent attack on aletter carrier. Murphy said the complaints the city has received are generally reduced to one or two dog breeds, the American pit bull/Staffordshire terriers and Rottweilers. He said one of theareas the council could look toward is requiring these animal owners to carry special insurance to keep them within city limits.KANSASWichita - (5/2/09) - A Kansas dog treat maker that has been the focus of an Environmental Protection Agency investigation said Thursday that it has not caused any environmental harmand its products are safe. In its first public comments since its Wichita plant was searched by investigators earlier this month, TreatCo defended itself but did not specifically addressallegations of environmental violations and other federal crimes. Documents obtained through an open records request from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment detailed ahistory of violations and confrontations between government regulators and TreatCo, one of the nation's largest manufacturers of natural dog treats. TreatCo produces dog biscuits andcookies, jerky treats and animal body parts like bones and pig ears for pets. The company processes more than 2 million pounds of product monthly from beef byproducts it buys from Kansasand Texas slaughterhouses. Traster declined to specifically discuss the ongoing EPA investigation or the April search warrant because the matter was under court seal. Among the concernscited by the health department in 2007 was the disposal of material from a chemical company at the TreatCo plant. Regulators said the chemical company had been "run out of other cities forall the problems they caused." Goetz also cited an inspection report that raised questions "because no one can figure out how making dog treats relates to being a commercial waste disposaloperation."KENTUCKYAnderson County - Magistrates received their first look at a pit bull ordinance during Tuesday (05-05) morning´s meeting of the Anderson County Fiscal Court. Draft ordinance outlinespossible rules for pits, other potentially vicious dogs.(5/27/09) - The county fiscal court has now created a committee to craft a viciousdog ordinance. Pit bulls are currently the target of that ordinance. It was unknown as to when the committee will have a draft of this ordinance ready for review, but the next fiscal courtmeeting is June 2. Attendance at this and upcoming meetings is strongly encouraged as BSL is under consideration.Please continue to send your POLITE AND RESPECTFUL opposition to breed specific legislation to the county officials via the e-mail addresses below.Dudley Shryockwdscpa@bellsouth.net,Steve Cornish (Judge Executive)deckman@adelphia.netCheryl PeachAssistant to Judge Executive Cornishwith knowledge of the ordinance(502) 839-3471info@lawrenceburgky.orgLOUISIANAHB 155 - Baton Rouge - (5/27/09) - A House committee has approved tougher criminal charges for owners of dogs that attack people. The bill by Rep. Rickey Hardy follows two Louisianadog attack deaths in two years. The Lafayette Democrat's legislation would allow prosecutors to pursue charges of negligent homicide and negligent injuring against dog owners whoseanimals attack a person due to the owner's lack of precaution. The bill moves to the full House for debate. UPDATE - (5/28/09) - Tougher penalties could be in store for people who own
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