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

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The Monthly National Legislation Reporthttp://mnlreport.typepad.com/Page 46 of 3307/5/2010While DOGS does not have a position on the fee increase, we are watching closely to insure that it is not expanded to include hobby breeders. The House Finance Committee and HouseWays and Means Committee are currently deliberating the bill. A copy of the amendment containing this fee provision can be found at http://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/legislation/2010-1311h.htm_____________________________________________________MORE “DOGS” INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE: http://nhdogs.org/and on our social networking sites at http://twitter.com/NHDogs ,http://www.facebook.com/pages/NH-DOGS/262370784858NEW JERSEYEgg Harbor City – (3/31/10) - Dog amendment put on pause over ‘outside’ question.City Council tabled an amendment to its animal control ordinance scheduled for introduction Thursday, March 25 after hearing from a resident who spoke out against the proposed changes.Council expected to introduce an ordinance dealing with the definition of “inside” in its dog ordinance. Mayor Joseph Kuehner said he checked with Society for the Prevention of Cruelty toAnimals and learned that “outside” means exposed to the elements. “City Council had the right intent in 2006 when this was passed, but the definition was not clear in the ordinance,”Kuehner said. At the March 11 council meeting, Councilwoman Ina Duran noted that the ordinance committee would meet the following Monday to discuss certain recommended changes.According to city Business Administrator Thomas Henshaw, the ordinance would have defined “inside” as inside a home. Duran made the motion to table the ordinance for further discussion.Henshaw said that the committee will meet soon with more information. “What we’re going to probably do is have the committee sit down and get the information from the SPCA and the statestatute and put something together that way,” he said. A date for the committee to meet has not yet been scheduled.Freehold – (4/1/10) – Mixed breed dogs to make history in AKC competition. Over 450 of the top agility dogs in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut will convene in Freehold, NJtomorrow, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday for a historic event: the first time that the American Kennel Club (AKC) will welcome mixed-breed dogs for a chance to become the first mutt inhistory to win an AKC title. In a highly unusual and historic move that proves the rising popularity of mixed-breed dogs in America, the AKC will host four days of agility competitions to givearea mutts an opportunity to compete for AKC titles and ribbons right alongside their purebred counterparts. Canine competitors must navigate an obstacle course of jumps, weave poles,tunnels, see-saws, and A-frames, all while racing against the clock. Spectators are encouraged to attend, and admission is free. The venue is East Freehold Park, 250 Kosloski Road,Freehold, NJ 07728; the event will be held outdoors, rain or shine. For more information, visit the AKC's web site.Garfield - City residents who own pit bulls will have to comply with new requirements or face a penalty if they do not, if an ordinance passes on final reading and adoption on April 27. Theordinance, which passed in a 4-0 vote on April 12, with Deputy Mayor Stanley Moskal abstaining, will require that pit bull owners not only have their canines on a leash when walking them,but must also muzzle their pets. In addition, certain insurance requirements must be met. UPDATE: (4/26/10) - The city council has been receiving a lot of negative feedback about theproposed BSL. They will not be voting on the ordinance during the April 27 meeting. The vote is scheduled for May 11, and the proposal may no longer be breed-specific by then.Garfield, NJ to Consider BSL on May 11The City of Garfield has announced a public hearing for May 11 on a proposed restrictive “pit bull” ordinance. The measure defines “pit bull” as “any canine bred or used for fighting with otheranimals or with people” and includes Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, and “dogs that have the appearance and characteristics of beingpredominantly of these breeds of dogs.”The proposed ordinance would require all resident owners of such dogs to follow the following guidelines:· Obtain a special license· Keep the dog on a leash or tether approved by animal control officials. The leash must have a minimum of 300 pounds of tensile strength and allow the dog to move no more than athree foot radius· Keep the dog securely muzzled in public· Obtain a minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance· Not walk the dog unless the handler is over 18 years old· Not walk more than one of these dogs at a timeThe AKC believes dogs should be defined by their deeds, not their breed and strongly opposes any legislation that arbitrarily determines a dog to be “dangerous” based on its breed orphenotype. The AKC urges communities to establish a fair process by which specific dogs may be identified as “dangerous” based on stated, measurable actions; impose appropriatepenalties on irresponsible owners; and establish a well-defined method for dealing with dogs proven to be dangerous.Read AKC talking points on breed-specific legislation.Read AKC article "Why Breed-Specific Legislation Doesn’t Work".How You Can Help Write a letter to Mayor Frank Calandriello and the Garfield City Council and politely ask them to oppose this measure. All letters should be mailed to the following address:Garfield City Council111 Outwater LaneGarfield, New Jersey 07026 Attend the May 11 public hearing and respectfully express your concerns with this proposal. Contact the City Clerk’s office at (973) 340-2001 for more information on this hearing.Manville – (4/26/10) - They say it’s impossible to teach an old dog new tricks, but some Manville residents are hoping something new can be brought to an old dog ordinance. HaranAvenue resident Nancy Suhaka spoke before the Borough Council April 12 with a request that the borough’s ordinance concerning care of dogs be changed following a March incident inwhich an unlicensed and unleashed pit bull bit her dog while she was walking it down the street. Council President Sue Asher, chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee, said she wouldlike to look into the ordinance with the committee to determine if anything can be done for the future, noting she doesn’t know what would come of that discussion.Piscataway – (3/31/10) – Piscataway putting bite on daytime dog barkers. The township is about to put the muzzle on excessive daytime dog barking. And for procrastinating owners, itcould be a bit rough on the pocketbook. The municipality currently bans frequent or continued dog barking, but the measure applies only between the hours of 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., noted MayorBrian Wahler. “This ordinance will give police the mechanism to enforce the law during the day.” An ordinance amending Chapter IX of the municipal code, pertaining to licensing of dogsaddresses a subjection on disturbing the peace by extending the rules to be in effect 24 hours a day. It states in part, “No person shall keep, harbor or maintain any dog which, by frequent orlong, continued noise, violates Section 5-2 (d) of the revised general ordinances” of the township.NEW MEXICOClovis – (4/1/10) – Pet licensing ordinance vote split. Despite objections from three commissioners who called it redundant and unenforceable, the Clovis City Commission adopted anordinance Thursday requiring all pet dogs and cats in the city be licensed. Passing 5-3, commissioners in support of the ordinance said it will help force responsible pet ownership. Theordinance will require owners of dogs and cats to obtain a license and tag for their animals within 15 days of acquiring or residing with a pet in the city. Animal rescue groups, police dogs orassistance animals would be exempt. Proof of rabies vaccination would be required to get the license and owners would be required to either microchip their animal, keep a tag on them orhave them tattooed by a veterinarian. the ordinance will go into effect in 60 to 90 days and the public will be notified through the media.NEW YORKA6797 - An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to excessive breeding of dogs. The bill makes it a misdemeanor for any person to "conduct the excessive breeding of dogsin an uncontrolled manner and location so as to be in a cruel and inhumane manner." Status: essentially dead for the remainder of this session
The Monthly National Legislation Reporthttp://mnlreport.typepad.com/Page 47 of 3307/5/2010A10509 - An act to amend the agriculture and markets law and the general business law, in relation to the care and sale of dogs and cats by pet dealers. The bill does not change the existingdefinition of "pet dealer" but imposes stricter requirements on existing pet dealers, including a mandate for isolation areas for animals that have symptoms of illness, enhanced veterinariancare and adequate animal exercise facilities and documentation.Albany – (4/29/10) - Tail Docking Bill - The Humane Society of New York State is pressing for the passage of a bill in the New York State Legislature that would ban a dairy practice it saysis unacceptable.Woodstock - (04/20/10) Town Board on Tuesday agreed to move forward with a law prohibiting dogs on fields at three town parks. Under the regulations "no dogs or domestic animals"will be allowed on Andy Lee Field, Rick Volz Field, and the Comeau property soccer fields.NORTH CAROLINAGreensboro – (4/16/10)– Group pushes for tougher laws against animal neglect, abuse. In a yard along Willow Street in February, a mixed-breed dog lay motionless at the end of along chain when someone spotted her and called animal control officers to investigate. But the call came far too late. The dog, named Willow, had died, and for more than three days, no one hadtaken notice. A necropsy determined she had died from starvation. Her owner was arrested and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty in a case that is still pending in court. For local animaladvocates, Willow was yet another animal that died or suffered senselessly from neglect and abuse. Their stories have been all over the news lately, and officials with the Humane Society of thePiedmont said they’ve had enough. The group recently formed a nonprofit group called Triad Laws for Paws and is striving for legal changes that will help abused animals and stiffen the penaltiesfor animal cruelty. The group aims to start at the local level to push for changes in ordinances and enforcement practices and to create support for stronger laws and penalties at the state andfederal levels. Relying on one another’s expertise, members plan to work together to make changes throughout the area. For instance, Wiltsey said advocates pushing for an anti-tetheringordinance in Forsyth County could be called on to use their expertise in getting something done in surrounding counties and cities. “We are going to share information with one another to helpeach other and make sure these animals are being helped,” she said. The group is planning to attend meetings in the area to advocate that city councils, county commissioners and healthdepartments take a stand for animals.Mt. Holly – (4/19/10) - Man proposes pit bull ban. Please send your POLITE, RESPECTFUL and INFORMATIVE opposition to breed specific legislation to the city council members below.I was unable to find direct e-mail addresses for the individual council members, however, correspondence and information may be sent via the city clerk, Amy Miller (amy.miller@mtholly.us)with a polite request to forward to each city council member, as well as the mayor, for their review.Mayor Pro Tem David Moore104 N. Hawthorne St., Mount Holly, NC 28120Councilman Jim Hope104 Stoneridge Dr., Mount Holly, NC 28120Councilman Perry Toomey203 Dogwood Dr., Mount Holly, NC 28120Councilman Jerry Bishop200 East Catawba Dr., Mount Holly, NC 28120Councilman Bennie Brookshire218 Rose St., Mount Holly, NC 28120Councilwoman Carolyn Breyare307 Eastwood Dr., Mount Holly, NC 28120Next city council meeting April 26, 7:00 PMMeetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month unless otherwise noted. The Regular Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. and the Work Session Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. Allmeetings are held in the Council Chambers at the Citizens Center located at 400 East Central Avenue, Mount Holly, NC 28120Pasquotank County – (4/15/10) - Pasquotank County officials Monday delayed the final vote on a proposed three-dog limit at homes in subdivisions, citing a need to hear from lawenforcement about the ordinance’s enforceability. During a public hearing prior to the vote, Paula Dignan spoke in favor of the ordinance, telling commissioners her neighbors have nine dogsand “the owners are the problem.” Hunter, who spoke later and identified herself as Dignan’s neighbor, said she does care for her dogs. “I don’t see a reason for this ruling,” Hunter said,adding that people should have individual rights. Comment from the public during Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting mostly agreed with Hunter’s point of view against the proposedordinance. The commissioners approved the ordinance on a split vote last month but were required to vote a second time since not all commissioners were present for the first vote. Allcommissioners must be present for the county to adopt a “police powers” ordinance on the initial vote. At Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Charles Jordan asked if the county had seen anysuccess with its current nuisance animal ordinance. County Michael Cox didn’t have any statistics immediately available on cases prosecuted under that ordinance, but said he could compilea report on it. When Jordan asked what the proposed limit would add to the current ordinance, Cox said it would add a specific number — limiting a homeowner to three dogs. The ordinancewould apply only in subdivisions zoned for residential use and in mobile home parks. It would not be applicable inside Elizabeth City’s city limits. The city has its own animal ordinances.Jordan said he wanted to hear from the animal control officer and the sheriff about enforcement of the proposed ordinance. Commissioner Lloyd Griffin agreed. A motion by Griffin to table thematter until the board receives information from the animal control officer and sheriff passed unanimously. Commissioner Cecil Perry said he learned a lot from listening to the public atMonday’s heating. He said he has to agree with Dixon in light of what he heard. Perry said the county should focus on enforcement of the existing animal ordinances.Raleigh – (4/18/10) – Puppy Mill Bill stalled in Raleigh. The sight of maltreated dogs confiscated from a local kennel has been enough to provoke a “There ought to be a law!” reactionfrom local government leaders.It turns out, there almost was.A proposal to set licensing standards for puppy breeding operations cleared the N.C. Senate last year but ran into significant opposition from the American Kennel Club, the NRA and huntinggroups as it made its way though the House. The measure is eligible for consideration in the legislative summer session that begins in May, but prospects for its passage are decidedlymixed. “I don’t think there’s any consensus amongst our caucus that’s something we want,” said Rep. Hugh Holliman, a Lexington Democrat and the majority leader in the House. Thelegislative summer session in even number years is geared toward handling budget adjustment and pressing matters. Controversial nonbudget topics are typically — but not always —avoided. Reps. Pricey Harrison and Maggie Jeffus filed one of two House companion measures to the Senate bill last year, and Harrison said fallout came swiftly. “There was really strongcommentary as soon as I filed the bill,” Harrison said, saying negative feedback came from local dog-owners and breeders alike. It would have required anyone who had 15 or morebreeding-age female dogs and who sold puppies to the public to register with the state and to obey certain health and welfare guidelines. Those rules would be developed by the N.C.Department of Agriculture.Winston-Salem – Forsyth County - (4/15/10) - One Triad county may be changing the regulations for how dogs should be chained up in yards. The Forsyth County Animal Control AdvisoryBoard decided Thursday night to recommend a tethering ordinance to the county commission. Tierney said Animal Control recently sought public comment for the tethering proposal andmore than 1,000 Forsyth County residents supported it, while fewer than 80 opposed the plan. The County Commission will likely not consider the ordinance until the fall.OHIO(4/15/10) Ask the Ohio House of Representatives to Repeal BSL!House Bill 79, sponsored by Representative Barbara Sears of Lucas County, removes the term "pit bull" from Ohio’s statutory definition of dangerous dogs. All Ohio residents are encouragedto contact the Speaker of the House and their legislators to ask them to support this important measure and end 20 years of discrimination against responsible dog owners in Ohio.
Page 2: The Monthly National Legislation Re
Page 6 and 7: The Monthly National Legislation Re
Page 50: The Monthly National Legislation Re
Page 97 and 98:
The Monthly National Legislation Re
Page 99 and 100:
Page 101 and 102:
Page 103 and 104:
Page 105 and 106:
Page 107 and 108:
Page 109 and 110:
Page 111 and 112:
Page 113 and 114:
Page 115 and 116:
Page 117 and 118:
Page 119 and 120:
Page 121 and 122:
Page 123 and 124:
Page 125 and 126:
Page 127 and 128:
Page 129 and 130:
Page 131 and 132:
Page 133 and 134:
Page 135 and 136:
Page 137 and 138:
Page 139 and 140:
Page 141 and 142:
Page 143 and 144:
Page 145 and 146:
Page 147 and 148:
Page 149 and 150:
Page 151 and 152:
Page 153 and 154:
Page 155 and 156:
Page 157 and 158:
Page 159 and 160:
Page 161 and 162:
Page 163 and 164:
Page 165 and 166:
Page 167 and 168:
Page 169 and 170:
Page 171:
Page 174 and 175:
Page 176 and 177:
Page 178 and 179:
Page 180 and 181:
Page 182 and 183:
Page 184 and 185:
Page 186 and 187:
Page 188 and 189:
Page 190 and 191:
Page 192 and 193:
Page 194 and 195:
Page 196 and 197:
Page 198 and 199:
Page 200 and 201:
Page 202 and 203:
Page 204 and 205:
Page 206 and 207:
Page 208 and 209:
Page 210 and 211:
Page 212 and 213:
Page 214 and 215:
Page 216 and 217:
Page 218 and 219:
Page 220 and 221:
Page 222 and 223:
Page 224 and 225:
Page 226 and 227:
Page 228 and 229:
Page 230 and 231:
Page 232 and 233:
Page 234 and 235:
Page 236 and 237:
Page 238 and 239:
Page 240 and 241:
Page 242 and 243:
Page 244 and 245:
Page 246 and 247:
Page 248 and 249:
Page 250 and 251:
Page 252 and 253:
Page 254 and 255:
Page 256 and 257:
Page 258 and 259:
Page 260 and 261:
Page 262 and 263:
Page 264 and 265:
Page 266 and 267:
Page 268 and 269:
Page 270 and 271:
Page 272 and 273:
Page 274 and 275:
Page 276 and 277:
Page 278 and 279:
Page 280 and 281:
Page 282 and 283:
Page 284 and 285:
Page 286 and 287:
Page 288 and 289:
Page 290 and 291:
Page 292 and 293:
Page 294 and 295:
Page 296 and 297:
Page 298 and 299:
Page 300 and 301:
Page 302 and 303:
Page 304 and 305:
Page 306 and 307:
Page 308 and 309:
Page 310 and 311:
Page 312 and 313:
Page 314 and 315:
Page 316 and 317:
Page 318 and 319:
Page 320 and 321:
Page 322 and 323:
Page 324 and 325:
Page 326 and 327:
Page 328 and 329:
Page 330:
show all

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

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?