To read the first part of the Legislative News for 2/08, (Alabama to Ohio),please use the link below.
Part I of Legislative News for 2/08.

OKLAHOMA

Home Page: OK Legislature

HB1082 - An Act relating to animals; creating Cody's Law; amending 4 O.S. 2001, Section 46, as amended by Section 4, Chapter 262, O.S.L. 2006 (4 O.S. Supp. 2006, Section 46), which relates to dangerous dogs; modifying regulation provision; directing entity to adopt rules for collection of certain information; specifying information to be collected; stating entities that data shall be collected from; providing for codification; providing for noncodification; and providing an effective date. HB1082

HB1728 - An Act relating to game and fish; which relates to hunting licenses; modifying exception for persons engaged in training dogs; and declaring an emergency. HB1728

HB2545 - Animals; requiring releasing agencies to establish certain adoption standards; making certain actions regarding free-roaming abandoned or feral cats unlawful; codification; effective date. Bill Status

HB2550 - Animals; clarifying use of unclaimed animals for scientific investigation and education; emergency http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/WebBillStatus/main.html HB2598 - "Cody's Law" - An Act relating to animals, which relate to dangerous dogs; modifying certain penalties; adding definition; providing for noncodification; and providing an effective date. HB2598

HB2791 - An Act relating to game and fish; which relates to commercial hunting area licenses; deleting certain licensing requirement; making entering a farmed cervidae facility or commercial hunting area without permission of the owner a trespass; setting penalty; making entering and taking cervidae or wildlife from a farmed cervidae facility or commercial hunting area without permission of the owner a misdemeanor; setting penalty; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.HB2791

HB3036 - Schools; clarifying statutory language relating to schools regulating dogs running at large; effective date Bill Status

HB3192 Animals; creating Oklahoma Pet Quality Assurance and Protection Act; codification; effective date. Bill Status

HB3279 Animals; regulation and control of dogs running at large; eliminating certain population restriction; effective date.Bill Status

SB867- An Act relating to animals; which relates to dangerous dogs; modifying certain language; and providing an effective date. SB867

OREGON

Milton-Freewater - City Council re-examine changes to the animal control code. Biggest proposed change would be adding a provision for dealing with potentially dangerous dogs, typically meaning the dog would have to exhibit an unprovoked threat to bodily harm. Such cases would be judged on a case-by-case business. If the dog was considered potentially dangerous the new code would allow a method by which owners would be given a second chance to safely harbor the animal. The owner would be required to pay registration fees, microchip the dog, spay or neuter the dog, create photo identification of the dog and owner. The owner also must then enclose the animal with signs and obtain proof of liability insurance for an amount no less than $100,000. Other proposed code changed does include new language banning wolf hybrid dogs from city limits and increasing regular dog license fees.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Home Page:SC State House

S0234 - A BILL to amend the code of laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding section 38-75-795 so as to prohibit the denial, cancellation, or nonrenewal of homeowners insurance based solely on the presence of one or more domesticated dogs on the homeowners' premises, unless a specific dog on the premises has a documented history of causing significant damage to real or personal property or serious bodily injury to a person. S0234

S0833 - A BILL to amend the code of laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding section 47-1-45 so as to prohibit the tethering, fastening, chaining, tying, or restraining a dog to a stationary object.S0833

Florence County- County Council is considering an amended animal control ordinance that would raise fines and add animal cruelty regulations. Other proposed changes include time at large animals are held at shelter, dangerous dog regulations, nuisance animals, agencies would be required to provide written proof that a sexually mature animal has been spayed or neutered and received a rabies vaccination before being adopted by an individual and all animals also must have an identifying microchip implanted before an individual adopts them.

TENNESSEE

Home Page:TN Legislature

HB0173 - Animals and Animal Cruelty - Prohibits compensation for any animal seized due to a criminal charge of animal cruelty. - Amends TCA Section 39-14-202 HB0173

HB0422 - Animals and Animal Cruelty - Establishes as element of cruelty to animals offense knowingly tying, tethering, or restraining dog in manner that results in the dog's suffering bodily injury. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2. HB0422

HB0914 - Animals and Animal Cruelty - Provides that in animal cruelty prosecutions, if the defendant does not post court-ordered security to pay for expense of caring for the animal within 15 days, animal is forfeited and defendant loses all ownership rights; establishes provisions governing situations where person from whom animal was seized is not the owner and for situations where the owner is indigent. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2. HB0914

HB2803 - AN ACT to amend Tennessee Annotated Title 40 Chapter 39 to create the "Tennessee Animal Abuser Registration, Tracking and Verification Act of 2008" HB2803"

HB2914 - AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 44, Chapter 17, relative to dogs and cats (commercial breeder) HB2914

HB3984 - AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39 and Title 44 relating to dogs HB3984

SB0637 - Animals and Animal Cruelty - Establishes as element of cruelty to animals offense knowingly tying, tethering, or restraining dog in manner.SB0637

SB1190 - Animals and Animal Cruelty - Provides that in animal cruelty prosecutions, if the defendant does not post court-ordered security to pay for expense of caring for the animal within 15 days, animal is forfeited and defendant loses all ownership rights; establishes provisions governing situations where person from whom animal was seized is not the owner and for situations where the owner is indigent. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 14, Part 2. SB1190

SB2676 - AN ACT to amend Tennessee Annotated Title 40 Chapter 39 to create the "Tennessee Animal Abuser Registration, Tracking and Verification Act of 2008" SB2676

SB2738 - Prohibits the ownership of American Staffordshire Terriers. American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, any mixed breed dog being identifiable as being 50% the above named breeds. SB2738

SB3147 - AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 44, Chapter 17, relative to dogs and cats (commercial breeder) SB3147

SB3827 - AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39 and Title 44 relating to dogs. SB3827

Knox County - under a proposed ordinance, if an animal control officer or law enforcement officer finds that a dog poses an immediate threat to public safety, the officers may "immediately seize and impound the dog" pending a court hearing. In some cases, the owner of a dangerous dog would be required to carry $100,000 in liability insurance. Under the proposed ordinance, a dog may not be declared dangerous if at the time of injury or damage the person was willfully trespassing upon the dog owner's premises, was teasing, tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog or was committing a crime, defines dogs as being "level one" dangerous or "level two" dangerous, which is the more serious and sets regulation for confinement, neutering or spaying of the dog with implantation of an identification microchip.

Knoxville - County Commission meeting will consider pets (not just those deemed "dangerous") need to be spayed and neutered unless you can produce papers as a breeder or as an owner of a dog that you plan to breed, and even in that case you are only allowed so many years to breed.

Nashville - State lawmakers could decide this year just how far they want to go in punishing dog owners with pets that cause serious injury to others and consider whether to create an on-line registry for animal abusers, much like the sex offender registry maintained by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. No bill has been presented at this time.

Rockwood - city council held second strategy meeting for the proposed pit bull ban. Good progress - strengthened positions and arguments. Next city council meeting on Monday, January 21.

TEXAS

Arlington - has a new Website that lists where dangerous dogs live in the city. The Website shows the dog's picture and what it did to make the list. Dog owners can appeal if their dog is considered to be dangerous. But if they lose that appeal, the dogs will be on the dangerous list for the rest of their lives.

Dallas - Pet number limits. Mandatory spaying and neutering of most dogs and cats. A partial ban on chaining animals to trees or posts. These are among the recommendations Dallas' Animal Shelter Commission unanimously approved Thursday night (01/17/08), agreeing that the city's stray animal population is out of control and too many pets are being neglected by owners. UPDATE: According to the newspaper reporter who attended the January meeting, the proposal:
Mandates Pet Limits of 6 dogs, cats or combination in a single family home;
Requires all dogs and cats over 4 months of age to be spayed/neutered;
Requires $500 Breeder Permits (unobtainable for residentially zoned property);
Requires Rescuer and Foster Home Permits to be able to keep more than pet limits.

Fort Worth- Health Department is expected to make a proposal to city council members, asking them to ban the tethering of dogs that will make the law on chaining dogs less confusing and easier to enforce. UPDATE: City Council approved an ordinance that generally prohibits pet owners from leaving unattended dogs tied up in yards. There would be a few exceptions such as during veterinary treatment, grooming or similar activities and when a person has "direct physical control" of the dog. Those exceptions are valid only if the dog has a "reasonable and unobstructed" range of motion and access to shelter and clean water. Passed 01/22/08

Galveston - City Council decided to postpone enacting an ordinance banning the chaining of dogs, so it could review the language of the law. Council would likely discuss the matter during a work session as soon as late February or March.

Lubbock - Mayor David Miller announced a zero tolerance policy Wednesday in enforcing the city's leash laws. Lubbock On Line

Madisonville - Pit bulls are no longer welcomed, or legal, in Madisonville. The city council passed an ordinance Monday effectively banning pit bulls within the city limits. Those who already have the breed can keep them, but there are some rules to follow. You have to have at least $100,000 of liability protection and a $30 annual permit. The dog must be kept in a locked pen or muzzled and leashed when taken out of the pen. A "Beware of Dog" sign must be posted and you have to provide a photo of the pit bull to the city. Also, you can't sell or transfer a dog within the city limits. And if your dog has puppies, you have 10 weeks to get them out of Madisonville. Failure to comply with the ordinance could result in a fine of $50 a day. Vote at: VOTE UPDATE: The Texas Health and Safety code does not allow a local government (that includes cities or counties) to enact restrictions based on breed. § 822.047. LOCAL REGULATION OF DANGEROUS DOGS. A county or municipality may place additional requirements or restrictions on dangerous dogs if the requirements or restrictions: (1) are not specific to one breed or several breeds of dogs; and (2) are more stringent than restrictions provided by this subchapter. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 916, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. § 822.047. LOCAL REGULATION OF DANGEROUS DOGS. A county or municipality may place additional requirements or restrictions on dangerous dogs if the requirements or restrictions: (1) are not specific to one breed or several breeds of dogs; and (2) are more stringent than restrictions provided by this subchapter. The code is here: Code

Plano - City of Plano council is proposing an ordinance regarding tethering

Waco - City Council is discussing mandatory micro chipping of all dogs and cats. Waco Humane Society will maintain the local database.

UTAH Home Page:Utah Gov.

HB470 - Bill amends provisions of the Utah Criminal Code relating to animal cruelty HB0470

SB102 - This bill modifies the Criminal Code regarding animal cruelty by providing that torture of any animal is a felony. This bill amends references to criminal intent and amends certain definitions. SB102

SB117 - This bill amends provisions in the Utah Criminal Code relating to animal cruelty. SB0117

Logan - city leaders could vote later this month to allow dogs off leash at the fairgrounds.

VERMONT

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H769 - AN ACT relating to regulation of commercial dog breeders in Vermont H769

VIRGINIA

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VIRGINIA HUNTING & HUNTING DOG ENTHUSIASTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT Up land Birdfor bills affecting your sport !!Virginians should also visit. Upland Bird Dog for further information and updates on the following:

HB114 - A bill to amend and reenact § 29.1-521 of the Code of Virginia, relating to trapping Hunting; trap identification. Permits hunters to attach an identification number issued by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to traps. Currently, hunters may not set traps without attaching their name and address to the trap. HB114

HB217 Tethering of animals; makes certain acts associated therewith Class 3 misdemeanor Makes certain acts associated with the tethering of animals a Class 3 misdemeanor. The bill prohibits such actions as (i) tethering an animal that is less than six months old, except in an emergency, (ii) tethering an animal that has not been spayed or neutered, except in an emergency, and (iii) using a tether weighing more than the animal can reasonably bear. Local governments are authorized to adopt an animal tethering ordinance that can be more restrictive than the proposed statute. HB217(Update: Bill stricken by patron)

HB538 - Commercial dog breeding operations; definition, penalty. (Bobby Orrock) - Defines commercial breeders as persons who maintain 20 or more unsterilized adult females for commercial breeding purposes. Commercial breeders will be required to: (i) apply for a business license from their respective locality; (ii) cooperate with inspections by animal control officers to ensure compliance with state and federal animal care laws; (iii) create a fire emergency plan and install fire safety measures; (iv) maintain records of animal sales, purchases, breeding history, and veterinary care; (v) dispose of dead dogs and confined waste in accordance with law; and (vi) maintain no more than 50 adult dogs at one time. Commercial breeders that violate any of these provisions are guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Pet shops must ensure that their dogs are purchased from dealers that are properly registered and licensed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. HB538(UPDATE: PASSED 2/8/08)

HB673 Animal welfare standards. Clarifies several standards of animal welfare. The amount of time an animal must be deserted to be considered "abandoned" is shortened from five consecutive days to 24 consecutive hours. "Adequate shelter" for tethered animals will require an enclosure large enough to provide separate eating and sleeping areas, both of which shall be at least 10 feet from a toilet area. "Adequate space" for tether animals will require that the tether is no more than 1/8th the weight of the animal and at least 20 times the length of the animal. "Adequate water" will require refreshment at least once every 12 hours and a container that cannot be overturned. The definition of "adoption" is broadened to include transfers of ownership from dealers (anyone). HB673

HB690 Commercial breeding of companion animals; penalty. Requires state licensure of any person who breeds companion animals and is also required to be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will issue licenses and collect an annual fee of $150, which will be remitted to the localities where animal breeding facilities are located. Animal control officers are granted the authority to investigate any commercial breeding operation to ensure compliance with animal care laws. HB690 (UPDATE: Bill Stricken by patron)

HB691 Animal control officers; inspection of breeding facilities. Requires an animal control officer to make quarterly inspections of any premises in his jurisdiction where dealers breed companion animals. The animal control officer will ensure that dealers comply with state and federal standards for sanitation, licensure, and adequate care. (Update: Bill stricken by patron)HB691

HB886 - A bill to amend and reenact § 29.1-520 of the Code of Virginia, relating to bear hunting. Bears may be hunted without capturing or taking by day or night during bear hound training season. HB886

HB1465 - A bill to amend and reenact §§ 3.1-796.113, 3.1-796.124, 3.1-796.125, and 18.2-403.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to dog fighting. Dog fighting; violations include attending a dog fight and possession of 'any device or substance intended to train a dog for fighting or enhance a dog's ability to fight' to the list of felony offenses. There are numerous other changes. HB1465

HB1486- A bill to amend and reenact § 3.1-796.84 of the Code of Virginia, relating to dealer permits. Dealer permits; local ordinances pertaining to real estate taxes for euthanizing companion animals. HB1486 (Update: tabled 1/29/08)

HB1570 - A bill to amend and reenact §§ 3.1-796.66, 3.1-796.126:1, 3.1-796.126:2, 3.1-796.126:3, 3.1-796.126:4, and 3.1-796.126:5 of the Code of Virginia, relating to companion animals, spay/neuter. HB1570 (Update: tabled 1/29/08)

SB263 - A bill to amend and reenact § 18.2-136 of the Code of Virginia, relating to retrieving dogs from the property of others; penalty. Requires the revocation of the hunting license for the current and the next hunting seasons as well as the forfeiture of the firearm or bow and arrow of any person who is convicted of carrying such weapons on another person's property while he is retrieving his hunting dogs. SB263

SB438 - Adds that humane education, including compassion and responsibility in the treatment of companion animals, may be covered in character education programs.SB438 (UPDATE: Bill stricken by patron)

SB637 - A bill to amend and reenact § 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the reporting of child abuse. Adds animal control officers to the list of persons required to report that a child is abused or neglected to authorities. SB637

SB663 - A bill to amend and reenact §§ 3.1-796.87, 3.1-796.96, and 18.2-510 of the Code of Virginia, relating to companion animal fees. Local fees for companion animals. SB663

SJ69 - That the General Assembly designate the first full week in February, in 2008 and in each succeeding year, as Humane Education Week in Virginia and encourage the Department of Education to require that all public schools in Virginia participate. The Department of Education shall advise all public school divisions that they are currently permitted to provide appropriate instruction regarding the humane treatment of animals and animal safety utilizing volunteers and external materials. The Department of Education is requested to ascertain the best educational practices and programs currently employed by school divisions in the Commonwealth to improve animal safety and the humane treatment of animals. SJ69 (UPDATE: Stricken at request of Patron in Rules by voice vote on /8/20/08)

Richmond, City of - city is making an extra effort to get every dog and cat in the city licensed. Licensing program helps to make sure that pets are getting their proper vaccinations & gives officials an idea of what type of resources they need to keep up with the animal population.

WASHINGTON

Home page:WA Gov.

HB1310 - AN ACT Relating to the enforcement of animal health laws; amending RCW 16.36.050, 16.36.010, 20.01.610, and 20.01.380; adding new sections to chapter 16.36 RCW; recodifying RCW 16.36.092; and prescribing penalties. HB1310

HB2511- AN ACT pertaining to pet dealers; adding new chapter to TILE 18 RCW (.""Pet dealer" means any person, business, or other entity, including pet breeder, that sells more than twenty animals or three litters, whichever is greater, in a twelve-month period) (Companion bill SB6408) HB2511

HB2547 - AN ACT Preventing cruelty to canines, changes definitions of care and addresses dog fighting. HB2547

B2836- AN ACT Relating to protecting animals from perpetrators of domestic violence; and amending RCW 26.50.060. B2836

HB2861AN ACT regarding Dangerous Dogs HB2861

HB2945 - AN ACT Relating to the wrongful injury or death of a companion animal; amending RCW 4.24.320; and adding a new section to chapter 4.24 RCW. HB6315

SB6315 - AN ACT Relating to wolf-hybrids; and amending RCW 16.30.010. SB6315

SB6408 - AN ACT pertaining to pet dealers; adding new chapter to TILE 18 RCW.(Companion bill HB2511) SB6408

B6735 - AN ACT Relating to dog purchaser protection; and adding a new section to chapter 19.86 RCW. B67408

Pierce County - Tacoma - County officials want to impose tougher rules on vicious pets, proposing a $500 annual fee for owning a dangerous animal, higher insurance requirements and tougher penalties for violations. The proposal would make failing to comply with some violations punishable by up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Walla-Walla - proposed changes to the city's animal code put more teeth into the city's ability to deal with animal complaints, particularly with aggressive dogs at large. Proposed changes prohibit wolf hybrid dogs in town, adding some for potentially dangerous dogs gives the new code enforcement officer greater discretion in deciding whether a dog's behaviors were aggressive or not, based on a case-by-case basis, raising the annual license fee for all unneutered and unspayed dogs from $20 to $35. Impound fees would go up and owners would start paying a $20 a day boarding fee. Under the proposed new codes, owners of potentially dangerous dogs would have to register them. Within 30 days, they would have to pay an initial registration fee of $125, microchip the dog, spay or neuter it (if it's not already spayed or neutered), submit two photos of the dog with its owner, get a secure enclosure with a sign warning the dog is potentially dangerous and show proof of liability insurance for personal injury in an amount not less than $100,000. Every year, the owner would have to pay a $75 license fee for such dogs.

WEST VIRGINIA

Home Page: WV Legislature

B2096 - A BILL to amend and reenact §19-20-13 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §19-20-8b, all relating to authorizing county commissions to enact ordinances prohibiting cats from running at large and authorizing county dog wardens or others to seize and impound cats under authority of the ordinance; requiring notice to owners of impounded cats; and providing that the owners of cats causing damage while running loose are liable for the damage. B2096

HB2143- A BILL to amend and reenact §20-2-5 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to unlawful hunting and fishing; and exempting retrieval of a dog after five o'clock antemeridian from offense of hunting on Sunday. HB2143

B2532 - A BILL to amend and reenact §19-23-3, §19-23-4, §19-23-5, §19-23-6 and §19-23-13b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to the Racing Commission; defining authority of the Racing Commission; providing for five members of the Racing Commission; providing qualifications for members of the Racing Commission; abolishing certain positions within the Racing Commission; creating the position of Director of Racing; and providing authority for the Director of Racing.B2532

HB 2737 - A BILL to amend and reenact §61-8-19a and §61-8-19b of the code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, all relating to providing the same protection from animal fighting to all animals and extending the application of criminal penalties.HB2737

HB2869 - A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §19-20C-1, §19-20C-2, §19-20C-3, §19-20C-4, §19-20C-5, §19-20C-6, §19-20C-7 and §19-20C-8, all relating to protecting consumers against the sale or adoption of sick or underage pets ; providing for penalties for violations of this article. HB2869

HB3046 - A BILL to amend and reenact §17A-3-14 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §30-10-4a, all relating to the providing for issuance of special license plates for pet owners or pet enthusiasts; collecting a fee to be deposited in a special fund; providing the West Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine administer the fund to pay for spaying and neutering of pet dogs and cats or to promote public awareness about the benefits of spaying and neutering of pet dogs and cats; and, requiring the board to propose rules designed to guide the use of funds in accordance with the intent of the legislation. HB3046

HB3112- A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new article, designated §19-20C-1, §19-20C-2, §19-20C-3, §19-20C-4, §19-20C-5, §19-20C-6, §19-20C-7 and §19- 20C-8, all relating to providing for the Dangerous Dog Act; defining terms; providing for the determination of a potentially dangerous dog; providing for the determination of a dangerous dog; providing exceptions; providing consequences of a dangerous or potentially dangerous dog determination; providing registration and handling requirements for dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs; setting forth responsibilities of owners of dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs; and providing criminal and civil penalties. HB3112

HB4307 - A BILL to amend and reenact §19-23-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to bona fide residents wholly or solely owning greyhounds; the training of track facilities; increasing the amount from the breeder development fund that can be used for construction and maintenance of two training track facilities; not requiring anyone to be a member of an association in order to participate in the breeder development fund. HB4307

HB4335- A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §19-23-6a, relating to requiring greyhound race dogs to be kept in the state for six months before they may engage in greyhound racing training. HB4335

HB4372 - A BILL to amend and reenact §19-23-10 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to authorizing the creation of a special revenue account in the State Treasury called the "West Virginia Racing Commission-Special Account-West Virginia Greyhound Breeding Development Fund." HB4372

SB319 - A BILL to repeal §20-2-19a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §20-2-5, §20-2-6a and §20-2-46e of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §20-2-40b; and to amend and reenact §20-7-9 of said code, all relating to the regulation of carrying firearms; clarifying that hunting statutes generally do not prohibit the otherwise lawful carrying of pistols and revolvers for self-defense purposes; clarifying that persons who are licensed or otherwise authorized to lawfully carry concealed pistols or revolvers are not subject to the prohibition on carrying both a bow and a firearm or the limitations on how firearms may be carried or transported in wooded areas or in vehicles; and consolidating and clarifying certain criminal penalty provisions. SB319

WISCONSIN

Home Page:WI Legislature

AB567 - An act to amend 20.115 (2) (j) and 93.20 (1); and to create 173.35 and 173.37 of the statutes; relating to: the sale of dogs, regulation of certain dog breeders, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty. (Companion bill SB308) AB567

SB308 - An Act to amend 20.115 (2) (j) and 93.20 (1); and to create 173.35 and 173.37 of the statutes; relating to: the sale of dogs, regulation of certain dog breeders, granting rule-making authority, making an appropriation, and providing a penalty (Companion bill AB567) SB308

Madison - Felons wouldn't be allowed to own vicious dogs under a bill the state Senate passed Tuesday (01/15/08). Felons caught with a vicious dog would face up to $10,000 in fines and nine months behind bars. If the dog hurts or kills someone, the felon would face up to $10,000 in fines and 3-and-a-half years in prison. If the dog hurts or kills someone and the felon knowingly allowed it to run loose, the prison sentence could increase to up to 6 years. Bill moves to State Assembly.

OTHER COUNTRIES OF INTEREST

Guam
Residents who are breeding dogs specifically for sale or profit without a business license is committing a misdemeanor, according to administrators at the Department of Revenue and Taxation and Department of Agriculture's Animal Control Division.

Canada

Quebec - Montreal - Ville Marie -Dog owners downtown are soon going to find themselves on a much shorter leash - probably facing stiff new rules by April or May. Owners will be limited to two dogs outdoors at a time, whether walking on sidewalks, playing in parks or elsewhere. Police will be specifically empowered to shoot on sight dogs considered very dangerous. The far-reaching crackdown - aimed at controlling an increasing number of problem pooches in the city's core - has been under quiet study by borough mayor Benoît Labonté, council members and other officials since last September.

Saskatchewan - Delisle- reviewing its policy on dangerous pets. Mark Dubkowski, administrator for the town, thinks banning dangerous pets, pitbills, Rottweilers and mixes should be province wide.

(The facts in this article are for informational purposes only and may not express the optinions of the USKBTC, its Board of Directors or its members.)

Last Updated: 02/28/2008, 8:42 pm