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

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.