State Of Mine - Events

ALABAMA  http://www.legislature.state.al.us/
Dothan - Dothan residents are one step closer to having new requirements for pet owners in the city. The Animal Control Ordinance Committee is set to approve several mandates for pet owners. Monday night,(5/12/08) they expect their changes to pass a committee vote so the ordinance can be presented to the city commission for a final decision. The document is lengthy and it has many revisions, but Dothan’s new animal ordinance is ready for a vote by the Animal Ordinance Committee. The most notable items are laws governing annual registration of pets, spay and neutering requirements, and dangerous dog guidelines.
Tuscaloosa - Several other states already have license plates that promote spaying and neutering. The Alabama VMA, along with other animal groups, lobbied the Alabama Legislature for a year and a half to get the license plate established. The Legislature approved the plate last year and pre-sales began in October.  Before the license plates can go into production the state requires that a minimum of 1,000 be pre-sold. Drivers can order a plate by paying the fee and filling out an Intent to Purchase form. So far, only 300 have been purchased. Animal groups are striving to spread the word and sell another 700 by Oct. 31 this year. If 1,000 aren't presold by that date, the plates will not be printed and the money will be refunded, ending a program that could have altered thousands of pets before it even begins.
ALASKA http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/
SB273 - An Act relating to cruelty to animals and promoting an exhibition of fighting animals. Cruelty to animals under (a)(1), (3), or (4) of this section is a class C felony. Cruelty to animals under (a)(2) of this section is a class A misdemeanor. In addition to these penalties, the court may also (1) require forfeiture of any animal affected to the state or to a custodian that supplies shelter, care, or medical treatment for the animal; (2) require the defendant to reimburse the state or a custodian for all reasonable costs incurred in providing necessary shelter, care, veterinary attention, or medical treatment for any animal affected; (3) prohibit or limit the defendant's ownership, possession, or custody of animals for up to 10 years. UPDATE: Died in House
ARIZONA http://www.azleg.gov/
Page - City police announced this week a tightening of animal control ordinances, including the introduction of a dog-leash law. Seven significant upgrades in ordinances are in the process of being adopted by the city council. The Animal Control officer is now called the Community Resource Officer and duties will be expanded beyond those of animal control to include parking control. The vehicle will be marked "Code Enforcement." The penalty for a dog running at large will be $25 for the first offense, $50 for the third and $100 for the fourth offense. A new "public nuisance" cat ordinance will prohibit cat owners from having their animals run-at large, damage, defile or soil public or private property. Owners whose animals are taken to the Page Animal Shelter will be charged a flat fee of $30 for care and upkeep until the animal is returned. Owners of cats running at large that are also "in heat" will be fined. To keep the stray population down and to control damage caused by dogs running loose, a leash law has been adopted. Any dog being walked by its owner or controlling person must be on a leash. Anyone with questions is asked to contact the police department. The Community Resource Officer will answer any questions.
ARKANSAS http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/
Crosset - City Council again delayed adopting an animal control ordinance Monday, March 24. Instead, aldermen agreed that the animal control committee, Chief of Police Tommy Sturgeon and Jeff Harrison, public works director, meet prior to the next council meeting to review the existing ordinance and the committee's proposal to make sure the next draft before the council covers all areas of concern.
Colt - The Colt City Council is considering instituting a vicious dog ordinance after a pair of recent incidents involving one animal in the community. The city has a leash law, which requires that dogs be kept either on a leash or inside a fence, but the city does not have an ordinance against vicious dogs. Council members discussed the possibility of creating an ordinance similar to vicious dog ordinances in surrounding communities and also discussed making the city’s leash law more stringent. City attorney Steve Routon, agreed to present the council with an ordinance at its June meeting.
Gurdon - Due to an increase in the population of pit bulls in the city, Gurdon animal control officer Ty Oppelt spoke with the Gurdon City Council Monday, April 21, about passing new ordinances. Oppelt said that since cities like Arkadelphia and Little Rock have put into effect stiff rules and fines for pit bull owners in February, many owners in that city have simply abandoned or dumped off their dogs. Some of the ordinances passed in Arkadelphia include: -Having the dog spayed or neutered, -Having a minimum of $100,000 worth of home insurance -Keeping the dog fenced in. A fence must be two foot below ground in dirt, or the fence wire must be two inches below concrete -After vaccinating the dog, it must be registered at the city hall -Installing a microchip under its skin -In order to walk a pit bull, one must be 21 years old or older and the dog must have a muzzle and a sturdy leash . “We have way too many of them,” Oppelt said, “and they’re causing a lot of problems.” To curb the influx of pit bulls, Oppelt asked the council if the city could pass ordinances on the dogs. The next council meeting is scheduled for May 19 at 7 p.m.
Jonesboro (Kait) - "Cruelty is cruelty, regardless of what animal it is," said Northeast Arkansans' for Animal's spokesperson, Wannda Turner. Some would say cruelty to animals is becoming more and more prevalent in Arkansas. There continue to be efforts made to get tougher penalties for people convicted of aggravated animal cruelty. "Beef up our current laws so that they are stronger, they are more deterrent for people to do it, and also gives us an opportunity to have felony charges," said Turner. What we're looking for, and what we're hoping to prosecute is cruelty that someone knows is cruelty, that can easily be proved as cruelty," said Turner.
Little Rock - Gov. Mike Beebe is trying to convince opponents of efforts to toughen animal cruelty laws to change their minds. Beebe says he tends to favor a first-offense felony animal-cruelty law, although he has to review the previous failed legislation to say which measure he definitely supports. Currently, the crime is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. UPDATE: The battle between pit bull owners and those wanting tougher restrictions on the dog breed continues. Several communities including Beebe, Lonoke, Jacksonville and North Little Rock all have city ordinances enforcing restrictions on pit bulls. But the city of Little Rock is trying something different. It requires pit bull owners to register their dogs, or face losing the animals or paying fines.  UPDATE: Owners have only registered a handful of the estimated thousands of pit bulls in the city and they have until May 21st to avoid any penalties.
Sherwood - City Council updated its 20-year ban on pit bulls and other vicious animals Monday (04/28/08) night. The updated ordinance reflects “current standards for responsible pet owner... and provide a level of enforcement capabilities that will better protect the health, safety and welfare of our citizens and innocent animals from irresponsible owners.” The new version gives marauding animals “that growl, charge, bite or attempt to bite or display extreme fear of people” just two days to be claimed by their owners or face “humane euthanasia.” The ordinance specifically bans the pit bull terrier breed, the Staffordshire bull terrier, the American pit bull terrier, the American Staffordshire terrier, the American bulldog or mixed breed that is predominantly pit bull.
West Memphis - (4/23/2008) West Memphis Police want to ban or limit Pit Bulls from the city. They say too many officers have been attacked by the dogs when responding to calls and it's time to take action.
CALIFORNIA http://www.legislature.ca.gov/ 
CA SPECIAL NOTE: Stuart Waldman is running for California Assembly (Van Nuys) to take over Lloyd Levine's former seat. He has aligned himself with responsible dog breeders and has openly opposed AB 1634. Levine, in turn, has endorsed another candidate to replace him rather than allow Stuart any success in the District. As you might consider supporting Fran Pavley's bid for the Senate, you might also consider support for Stuart Waldman for the Assembly. Stuart Waldman is definitely a friend and will be an actual advocate in the legislature. Please consider sending $16.34 to Stuart Waldman's campaign. He will definitely know who it is from! His website is www.stuartwaldman.com 
AB1760 - would amend the Veterinary Practice Act to facilitate licensing of out of state veterinarians to address the California shortage, specifically food animal practice being critical to food safety has moved along without opposition. Status: Senate Committee on B.P. & E.D. to be heard on May 12. Re-referred.
AB1938 - would authorize a credit against that tax for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2008, in an amount equal to 25% of the aggregate amount paid or incurred by a taxpayer for qualified costs, as defined, to spay or neuter a cat or dog and would take effect immediately as a tax levy. Status: Suspense File Assembly Committee on Revenue & Taxation for which the release hearing is May 12.
AB2131 - to add Section 54.25 to the Civil Code to permit a peace officer assigned to a canine unit, who is on official assignment for travel away from his or her home jurisdiction, to be accompanied in those places by his or her peace officer dog without paying an extra charge and amend Penal Code Section 365.5 to create a crime of interfering with or preventing such officer from these rights.
AB2132 - would amend and add to the Fish and Game Code to require signs forbidding trespass to be at least 8-1/2 by 11 inches in size, make it unlawful for a person to remove any collar from a hunting dog with the intent to prevent or hinder the owner from locating the dog and require the Fish and Game Commission to consider adopting regulations that permit, during archery season, the use of one dog per hunter to aid in the recovery of deer. Passed
AB2233 - to add Section 23118 to the Vehicle Code, "A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while holding a live animal in his or her arm or arms, or upon his or her lap" creates only an infraction offense with minor costs. Passed
AB2291 - approved by the Committee on Revenue and Taxation (04/14/08) sponsored by Concerned Dog Owners of California, introduced by Assembly Member Tony Mendoza, supported by dog clubs, individuals and humane organizations. The bill adds a check off box to the California Income Tax Form so each year we can all contribute $1 for a voluntary spay and neuter fund. HSUS opposes this bill.
AB2296 - was amended to a criminal bill based on an expansive definition of "animal enterprise" and offenses of disclosing information to harass those involved such as posting on the internet personal information about animal researchers. Bill was greatly scaled back to narrow the definition of animal enterprise as "an entity that lawfully uses animals or animal products for education or research in any exercise of a constitutional right that relates to academic freedom" and provide only civil remedies for employees of the animal enterprise. Status: on the Assembly Floor as amended. Passed.
AB2427 - prohibiting licensed veterinarians or anyone else from declawing cats and restricts local governments from prohibiting groups of persons authorized by one of the agencies in the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) by a license, certificate, or other such means to engage in a particular business, from engaging in their business, occupation, profession, or from engaging in any act or series of acts that fall within the statutory or regulatory definition of that business, occupation, or profession, as defined by state law.
AB2949 - An act to amend Sections 1815, 1816, and 1981 of the Civil Code, relating to involuntary deposits. This bill would provide that an involuntary deposit is made by the abandonment or leaving of a live animal in or about any premises or real property that has been vacated upon, or immediately preceding, the termination of a lease or other rental agreement or foreclosure of the property. The bill would authorize any person or private entity with whom a live animal is involuntarily deposited to immediately transfer the animal to any animal control agency or shelter for proper care and attention, or to notify animal control officials for the purpose of retrieving the animal.
SB1205 - amended and add to the Veterinary Practice Act a number of provisions, originating from the California Veterinary Medical Association and opposed by the California Veterinary Medical Board and the California Registered Veterinary Technicians Association Status: failed on April 14 in the Senate Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development. Failed passage in Committee.
SB1527 - to require sale of the Cow Palace in Daly City for development was amended to allow sale to Daly City of only a 13 acre parcel, thus saving the facility, for now, although the two AKC Obedience clubs holding trials there have decided to leave. Passed.
SB1548 - amends and adds to the Veterinary Practice Act related to Veterinary Medical Board requirements and authorized fees.
SB1775 - would have added a Section 598.1 to the Penal Code imposing property forfeiture provisions in connection with dog fighting crimes. Status: Failed
Bakersfield - City Council will hold off on the issue of spaying and neutering pets until Kern County moves farther along in its process. Laurie Weir, a member of the county’s Animal Control Commission and wife of Councilman Ken Weir, said the city should instead hire workers to go door-to-door looking for unlicensed dogs. Getting unlicensed dogs licensed would generate enough money to pay for the workers, she said she was speaking for herself and not for the commission. Councilwoman Sue Benham, who chairs the Legislative and Litigation Committee, said enforcing the licensing law is just not a priority for a city with limited resources. The city chooses to actively enforce laws against drunk driving and graffiti, she said, while enforcing others on a complaint-driven basis.
Butte County - Board of Supervisors, after previously rejecting a 79-page re-write of the entire county animal ordinance, on May 6 again considered and passed the first reading of an ordinance limited to "nuisance" issue changes to the County animal ordinance, including an entirely new civil complaint procedure for barking dogs and prohibiting "catteries" based on parcel-size specific definitions with no apparent procedure to permit current excess numbers or future private or commercial boarding catteries.
Calaveras County - San Andreas - County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 on Tuesday (05/06/08), in favor of revising the county's animal ordinances to require the chips for adoptions and for any dogs deemed by a court to be dangerous or vicious. In June, the new rules will increase the basic adoption fee at the shelter to $17 for cats and $27 for dogs. Pet owners who want a chip implanted and registered for animals they already own can also get that service for $12.
Escondido - City officials said Monday they're considering several new regulations aimed at identifying all of the city's violent dogs and exactly where they live in Escondido, similar to how Megan's Law identifies sex offenders. The new ordinances and policies would give Escondido by far the strictest dog regulations in the county, according to officials from both the Escondido Humane Society and the county Department of Animal Control. City Council members and animal control officials said the proposals were worth considering, but they also expressed skepticism. City Council members said they were leery of continually using legislation to solve the city's problems, and animal control officials said the proposals would be labor-intensive and costly.
Laguna Woods - The Laguna Beach Animal Services, which the city contracts with to provide animal control, has a maximum one cat one dog per household. The ownership limit is not currently enforced in Laguna Woods, but the Blue Ribbon group is considering making it a mandate for Laguna Woods residents as well. If the group decides to support pet population limitations, it will also consider what owners with more than one dog and one cat would be required to do such as setting a time within which an owner would need to get rid of extra pets or whether a kennel license at higher cost could be issued until the number of pets dwindles due to adoption or through death of the excess pets. Other proposals the group will consider are the following-Mandatory spay neuter of pets - Mandatory licensing of cats - A barking dog ordinance to fine owners whose pets are frequent offenders - A pet education program - A resource guide for pet owners - And other changes to current service levels. Residents with and without pets are welcome to attend. For further information, call City Hall, 949-639-0500.
Nevada County - The Nevada County Sheriff's Office will outline the successful Krea Spay Neuter Fund program for the county supervisors today (4/22/08) at the regular board meeting that starts at 9 a.m. at The Rood Center in Nevada City. In a letter to the board, Sheriff Keith Royal said the program started last year "is working well," and is "very financially beneficial to many Nevada County residents." The program funded by $197,000 from the estate of Nickolaus Krea allows the county to give out vouchers to residents to help pay for a spay or neutering procedure with area veterinarians or animal clinics.
Pasadena - City Council meeting agenda items include the first reading of a proposed ordinance requiring the spaying or neutering of all pit bulls (05/05/08) The ordinance would take advantage of the 2005 SB 861 state Senate bill passed in 2005 that allows cities to regulate dogs based on breed. UPDATE: City Council did not proceed with the first reading of a proposed SB 861 (2005) authorized breed specific ordinance. Referred to the Council's Public Safety Committee for further discussion. (05/05/08)
Sacramento - Judie Mancuso, Campaign Director for California Taxpayers for Safe & Healthy Pets, a group working to pass a tax-saving spay and neuter bill that would help government enforce the BOE regulation, said the BOE action "will give the pet breeding industry no excuse to skip out on their taxes, and will help bring puppy mills --- like the ones on the recent Oprah show -- out of the darkness and into the light." Mancuso is a co-sponsor of Assembly Bill 1634 California Healthy Pets Act carried by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys), which has passed the full Assembly and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate.
Santa Barbara - County Board of Supervisors has set a May 6 public hearing on a proposed mandatory pet sterilization ordinance as the culmination of a biased and flawed planning process that pointedly excluded advocates for dog ownership rights. The result is a stacked deck based only on the preconceived notions of animal rights activists and their allies in the sheltering and rescue communities. Because of this bias against the real stakeholders in this issue (that is, people who own, raise, breed or compete with dogs), the entire justification behind the proposed ordinance has been invalidated. The ordinance has been on the table for more than a year, and has been the subject of serious planning and discussion in recent months due to Judy Mancuso (CA AB1634 fame). This process has been almost entirely "under the radar," and has been dominated by animal rights activists who are philosophically opposed to raising or breeding dogs. Ordinary dog owners, people who raise, show or compete with dogs, and hobby breeders of purebred dogs, have not been invited to the table. Dog owner advocacy groups, breed clubs, local dog clubs, and canine registries also have been effectively iced out. UPDATE: The ordinance that had been drafted was set aside. Instead, an 11 person commission, which is to be evenly divided among proponents and opponents will be established and with even handed input, will work to come up with a solution.
COLORADO http://www.leg.state.co.us/ 
HB1129 - A BILL FOR AN ACT concerning a prohibition on any requirements for participation in an Animal Identification System when exhibiting an animal at the Colorado State Fair and Industrial Exhibitions - mandates that in order for anyone (this includes 4H kids) to show at the Colorado State Fair, all animals MUST participate in the National Animal Identification System administered by the United States Department of Agriculture or its successor system.
HB1308 - will permit an owner of a companion or assistance animal to recover damages for loss of companionship if a veterinarian's negligence causes injury or death to the animal. Such damages are usually available only to people in close relationships, not animals. Bill was gutted of all animal rights language in the House Judiciary Committee on 3/12/08. The bill has passed the House and is currently in the Senate. UPDATE: Third reading passed Senate 4/29/08
CONNECTICUT http://www.cga.ct.gov/
HB 5829 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE IMPOUNDMENT OF ROAMING ANIMALS AND PUBLIC SAFETY. The bill narrows the current law that allows the chief animal control officer and other animal control officers to impound dogs or other animals to include only dogs that are roaming; do not have the required municipal tag or plate on their bodies, or are injured, neglected, abandoned or cruelly treated. It does not specify how animal control officers should care for other animals in similar conditions (e.g., cats, ferrets, and other animals kept as pets). Also includes provisions for roaming livestock.
Wallingford - Dubuc is worried the sound of the wind may be overshadowed by the echo of barking. On a nearby piece of property two Hamden residents are hoping to get a special planning and zoning permit to build a dog kennel, and the public outcry is easily read. Large red and white signs say "Stop the commercial dog kennel". "They could bark the entire time, affecting our quality of life." Benson Snaider, the attorney representing the petitioners, argues the property is already zoned for such a venture. "It is a rural area, where the zoning regulations contemplate there will be residential and agricultural uses. Agricultural uses means farms. It also includes kennels," he said. There was the hope the Planning & Zoning Commission would vote on the matter Monday night,((5/12/08) but the question has been raised whether this issue should be brought before the Wetlands Commission so the hearing was tabled until next month.
DELAWARE http://legis.delaware.gov/
SB247 - AN ACT AMENDING TITLE 12 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TRUSTS AND ESTATES AND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO PROPERTY - - Section 11 of the bill revises ? 3555 of Title 12 so that it now deals exclusively with trusts created for the care of animals living at trustors’ deaths.
FLORIDA http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/default.aspx
HB101 - Died in Committee on Agribusiness - Friday, May 2, 2008
Broward County - MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at 2:00 P.M. in Room 422 of the Governmental Center to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA,
AMENDING CHAPTER 4 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO ANIMAL CARE AND REGULATION; AMENDING SECTION 4-2 TO INCLUDE IN THE DEFINITION OF "DANGEROUS DOG" A DOG THAT HAS KILLED A DOMESTIC ANIMAL ON ONE OCCASION; AMENDING SECTION 4-12 TO IMPOSE THE SAME PENALTIES UPON DANGEROUS DOGS AND THEIR OWNERS FOR THE DEATH OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS AS CURRENTLY PROVIDED FOR INJURIES CAUSED TO HUMANS; AMENDING SECTION 4-14.5 TO CLARIFY WHICH ANIMALS ARE SUBJECT TO MUZZLE AND LEASH REQUIREMENTS; AMENDING SECTION 4-14 TO REQUIRE REPORTING OF ANIMALS THAT BITE HUMANS AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CODE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (Sponsored by Commissioner Ken Keechl)
Collier County - Residents say dangerous dogs are terrorizing neighborhoods in Collier County and people living in Golden Gate Estates claim the problem is getting worse. County commissioners plan to stiffen penalties for dog owners - and that could mean possible jail time.
Jacksonville - City Council is planning to change the shelter 7 day holding period to three.
Miami - Dade County - Outline of updates and revisions of Chapter V of the Miami Dade County Code as follows: * Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated against the rabies virus beginning at 4 months of age, and they must be revaccinated as directed by the vaccine manufacturer (typically, every 1 or 3 years). (Section 5-6). * Dogs must be licensed every year and must wear their tags at all times. (Section 5-7).
* 4 dogs are allowed to live on residential property that is less than one acre, 6 dogs on 1 to 2 acres, and 8 dogs on 2 acres or more. Keeping more than those numbers of dogs on residential property requires a Kennel license (Sections 5-1 and 5-13). * Dogs are not permitted to roam free off your private property. They must be leashed at all times. (Section 5-20)  * If you breed pets, you must have a Hobby Breeder or Kennel license. (Sections 5-1 and 5-13) * If you sell pets, you must have a Hobby Breeder or Pet Dealer license (Section 5-10). * If you sell pets, they must be microchipped and registered to the new owner and must be sold with an original official certificate of veterinary inspection. (Section 5-10)  * To transport a pet in the back of a pick up truck, it must be in a secured carrier. See Section 5-15 for other requirements.  * Dogs in heat must be confined (Section 5-20.1). * The acquisition or keeping of Pit Bull dogs is prohibited in Miami-Dade County (Section 5-17.6). * Depriving an animal of food, water, or adequate shelter is an act of animal cruelty (Section 5-4) * It is unlawful to allow a dog to commit any nuisance (defecation and/or urination) on side walk of public street or buildings used in common by the public. (Section5-20). 
Pierce County - Under the new dangerous dog ordinance all dogs would be treated the same regardless of their breed. The ordinance would address the idea that there are no bad dogs, just bad owners. Dangerous dog owners would have to fork over a $500 fee each year they own a dangerous dog, one that has severely injured a person or another animal. Those owners of dangerous dogs would also have to carry $500,000 in liability insurance. The ordinance makes it mandatory to have a dangerous dog tattooed or chipped so that animal control in a new location could be alerted to the dog’s history would assist in the public’s protection. Ordinance was passed and it awaiting Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg to signs it into law.
Volusia - County Council will be holding a workshop on a spay/neuter ordinance on May 1, 2008 UPDATE: Proposed MSN ordinance discussed won't apply to residents inside city limits -- though county officials say they hope cities will adopt similar provisions once the county's operation is up and running. For pet owners in unincorporated parts of the county, the new ordinance includes several provisions: Any dog or cat older than six months would be sterilized, unless it meets the criteria for an exception. Those criteria include animals intended to be shown or bred, animals that are too old or sick to undergo the operation, or working dogs used by police or the disabled. Unaltered dogs or cats meeting one of those exceptions would be required to wear a county-issued tag and be microchipped for identification. The tag would be available at no cost; microchips cost about $20. Spayed/neutered animals would not be required to wear tags.
GEORGIA http://www.legis.state.ga.us/
HB301 - Sponsored by state Rep. Bobby Reese (R-Sugar Hill), HB 301 makes it illegal in Georgia to own, transport or sell dogs or to advertise, promote or attend a dogfight. In a compromise, the new law treats attendance at a dogfight as a misdemeanor rather than a felony on the first arrest. That's the law's chief weakness since the industry flourishes because there's an eager audience for watching dogs tear each other apart. Target the spectators with stiff penalties, and dog fighting would disappear. The passage of the bill reflects four years of effort by state Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), who was on hand at the Capitol for the signing last week.
IDAHO http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/
The Idaho Legislature is now in the interim between legislative sessions. Working out of their homes and businesses rather than the Capitol Annex, legislators will be meeting with constituents and participating in interim committees and task forces in preparation for the 2009 legislative session.
Boise - Dog owners used to letting their pets run free on the popular foothills trails outside Boise may face leash laws. The Foothills Dog Policy Working Group has recommended requiring leashes for dogs because they say dog owners aren't picking up droppings left by their trail hiking buddies. The Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee is meeting Wednesday in Boise to discuss the idea. Some dog owners aren't pleased. Susan Marston says more than 2,300 people have signed an online petition asking that the Advisory Committee delay considering the working group's recommendations to allow more public comment. UPDATE: The citizens panel early Wednesday morning heard a recommendation for harsher leash laws throughout the Foothills. In the end, the panel opted for a cooling off period to enforce the rules already in place and evaluate the results before making any dramatic changes. The Boise Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee will ask the Boise City Council for money to fund police enforcement of existing dog leash laws and trail-use rules for the Boise Foothills. The city will also take some time to try to educate dog owners to clean up after their canine companions, and wants a citizens' group to consider peer enforcement of the rules. UPDATE: 5/14/08 - Dog owners want to educate each other before they all lose out. Konvalinka, group organizer, says everyone has a right to the space and they need to work together to preserve it for future enjoyment. She hopes the group can educate their fellow dog owners reminding them to leash and pick up. She’d also like the group to act as a liaison between dog owners and the city in the future.
Spaulding County - Spalding County's Board of Commissioners (BOC) will soon be acting on an animal limit law for the county. The animal care and control advisory board will have one more meeting on the subject, after which they will have to make their recommendation to the BOC and the BOC will take action. The animal care and control advisory board will meet on Monday, May 12 at 5:00 p.m. at the Spalding County courthouse annex. THE NEXT SCHEDULED BOC MEETING FOLLOWING SUBMISSION OF THE ADVISORY BOARD'S RECOMMENDATION WILL BE ON MONDAY, MAY 19. IT IS LIKELY THAT THE BOC WILL TAKE ACTION REGARDING THE ANIMAL LIMIT LAW AT THAT MEETING.
ILLINOIS http://www.ilga.gov/
Chicago - Ald. Ed Burke plans to introduce a City Council ordinance demanding the mandatory sterilization of any dog or cat over 6 months old living in Chicago. Exceptions would be animals belonging to licensed breeders, law enforcement dogs and vet exemptions for animals due to health reasons. Penalties would be monetary, and the ordinance would call for criminal background checks for breeders seeking a new license or license renewal. Burke wants to stem the tide of Chicagoans mauled by pit bulls and those breeding dogs to fight. The city's underfunded Animal Care and Control unit doesn't have enough workers to respond to dog-mauling reports and is working with Burke on new legislation.
Roscoe - Billy Weston, Roscoe police officer and the village’s code enforcement officer has put forth a new set of regulations that better defines what animals people can have in town, how many they can have and what penalties they face if they violate the new rules. Members of the village’s Public Safety Committee were handed a version of the proposed new ordinances Tuesday night (3/11/08) and asked by chairman Scott Richardson to read, compare and make changes where necessary before they discuss the changes at the next committee meeting. Also cited as issues that should also be addressed - neighbors who would not clean up the dog waste in their yards to what one called irresponsible pet owners who would leave their animals chained outside all day while they were at work. “Our ordinances are really vague as far as animals go,” Richardson said. “The new ones, would address many issues.” It could be several weeks before the document reaches the full Village Board for a vote.
INDIANA http://www.in.gov/legislative/
Marion - A new animal shelter could mean new animal control laws, city leaders say. How laws could curb the animal population, abuse and neglect problems in the city was discussed Tuesday 4/15/08 at the ordinance committee meeting of the Marion City Council. Several people from the board of the Marion-Grant County Humane Society were present. Wright said the law needs to be reviewed. “It may have been the wrong way to approach it the last time,” Wright said before showing people a slideshow of photos around Marion of animals neglected or abused.
IOWA http://www.legis.state.ia.us/
ALERT! TO ALL DOG OWNERS IN IOWA There are currently News Media outlets in Iowa, predominately in the North and Eastern Portions of Iowa, attempting to portray Dog Owners in Iowa as an ALLEGED MAJOR SOURCE OF PUPPY MILL DOGS! Animals C.L.U.B.- Freedom is ALERTING ALL IOWA DOG OWNERS that this is allegedly 'False' with no proven foundation of specific facts, and an alleged organized PUPPY MILL PROPAGANDA PLOY to force the Iowa Legislators to put more "tyranny' and "control' over your ownership of dogs.  Please contact Animals C.L.U.B,.- Freedom with any and all information regarding this alleged Propaganda Stunt by Iowa Media and Humane Society outlets and their associates, to CONTROL ALL DOG OWNERS THRU FEAR AND INTIMIDATION with the Animal Control Laws.
Des Moines - Gov. Chet Culver has signed into law a measure that toughens penalties for people who watch dog fights. Under the new law signed on Wednesday, someone convicted of being a spectator at a dog fight could be sentenced to five years in prison and fined $7,500. It also applies to any event where animals are injured, tortured or killed. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa and the Humane Society backed the measure, saying it's unclear how big the problem of dog fighting is in Iowa. It was one of 17 bills the governor signed.
Mason City - Big money is being made at puppy mills in Iowa, which by many accounts has one of the highest concentrations in the nation. A bill brought before the Iowa Legislature which would have limited a kennel to 20 breeding dogs was discussed this past session but did not pass.
KANSAS http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-legisportal/index.do
Wichita - The ordinance went into effect in December, 2007 - requiring dog breeders to purchase a license. The ordinance says people have to buy a $50 annual license to breed dogs, but it doesn't define what a breeder is. As a result, the ordinance applies to anyone whose dog has puppies in the city of Wichita. The ordinance was aimed at puppy mills and pit bulls, said Kay Johnson, director of the city's department of environmental services. The city acknowledges the ordinance needs tweaking because it wasn't intended to be so sweeping.
KENTUCKY http://www.lrc.ky.gov/
SB 206 - Amend KRS 258.117 to add two members nominated by the Humane Society of the United States to the Animal Control Advisory Board.
Boone County - Hebron - County Commissioners have mixed feeling regarding a possible ordnance concerning pit bulls and Rottweilers
Louisville - A Jefferson circuit judge heard arguments yesterday over whether the current version of Louisville's dangerous-dog law should be discarded. In February Judge Martin McDonald threw out two older versions of the law, ruling that the December 2006 version was passed after the Democratic caucus of the Louisville Metro Council met without notifying the public of a location change. He also struck down amendments to that law, passed in April 2007, on grounds that they changed a version he had invalidated. McDonald did not say when he would rule. UPDATE: Louisville's dangerous-dog law has been declared valid by a judge who ruled yesterday (5/9/08) that it was properly passed by the Metro Council on Dec. 20. A lawsuit pending in federal court challenging the ordinance's constitutionality can now move forward.
LOUISIANA http://www.legis.state.la.us/ 
HB 1193 - Provides for kennel licenses for dog breeders. Requires individuals or businesses with more than five dogs that breed and sell retail, wholesale or to the public to procure kennel licenses and pay kennel fees instead of individual dog license fees. Prohibits an individual or business that breeds, buys or sells dogs from maintaining more than 75 dogs over the age of one year at any time for breeding purposes. Provides for violations. UPDATE: The House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday (5/14/08) advanced legislation aimed at making it illegal for puppy mill owners to maintain more than 75 breeding dogs. The Humane Society of the United States testified in support of the legislation. The organization says many puppy mill operators deceive consumers into believing the dogs came from reputable breeders.
Baton Rouge - Motion on dog ban for deer hunting in Kisatchie fails. Deer hunters using dogs on the sprawling five ranges in the Kisatchie National Forest were put on notice to abide by trespass laws along with state and federal hunting regulations or risk losing their hunting privileges for the season. The discussion occupied most of the time during a recent Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting.
Baton Rouge - The difference between an accident and abuse - "fly-by-night" groomers who are only in the business for the money. Redman has already taken an active role. She's pushing for legislation that would require groomers to meet certain standards. Right now, only Connecticut, Colorado, and Georgia have laws where groomers are regulated by the U.S. Humane Society. Several other states are considering doing the same. Louisiana is not one of them - yet.
Lafayette - A legal showdown is underway in Lafayette. A group is claiming Lafayette's Animal Control is "mismanaged" and they want public records, so they can prove it. But after more than a year of trying, there still haven't received the documents they asked for. So Wednesday both sides headed to court. The Lafayette City-Parish Government is being asked to produce documents including adoption records, federal licensing and inspections, anti-cruelty policies, veterinary records, as well as spay and neuter policies at the Roicy Duhon Animal Control Center.
Rapides Parish - During sometimes tense public discussions with PAWS officials in March and April committee meetings, most Rapides Parish Police Jury members, including President Richard Billings, said the parish doesn't need an ordinance governing animal protection because a state law already exists. The previous ordinance the parish had was repealed because the state law already provided one, officials said. Billings said he thinks PAWS has done a good job protecting animals, but he has reservations about going too far telling people how to treat their animals. Billings said most people care for their animals.
MAINE http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ 
LD2010 (HP1394) - An act to ensure ethical and humane dog breeding in the state - PASSED HOUSE & SENATE - 4/10/08. A bill to encourage ethical dog breeding and discourage puppy mills through a special task force has been passed by the Legislature. The bill requires the Maine Department of Agriculture to establish a working group to redefine breeding kennels, and review the laws and regulations that apply. "This is a unique opportunity to bring all the stakeholders together, which has never been done before," Norma Worley, director of Maine’s Animal Welfare Division, said Monday. The new law requires the task force to include representatives of groups such as veterinarians, the Humane Society of the United States, dog and kennel clubs, animal control officers and dog breeders. The group will submit a report by Jan. 15, 2009.
MARYLAND http://mlis.state.md.us/
The Maryland General Assembly meets in Annapolis each year for 90 days to act on more than 2300 bills including the State's annual budget. The 425th Session began January 9, 2008 and adjourned April 7, 2008.
Salisbury - Wicomico County - The three-person panel, named in this week's Wicomico County Council meeting, is part of October legislation updating how the county addresses animal attacks, said County Executive Rick Pollitt. Charged with reviewing the severity of a bite and circumstances of the attack, the panel can recommend euthanizing an animal after just one bite. To ensure fair discretion, the panel includes Lt. Tod Richardson of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, Wicomico County Health Officer Lori Brewster and licensed veterinarian Carol Lewis. The council's next step, which will be addressed after its June 15 budget deadline, is fine-tuning the October ordinance, President John Cannon said. "We're not only reviewing punitive measures against dogs and owners, but we also include measures to protect dogs," Cannon said. The council might act on the recommendations of a 10-person committee that, in the past five months, has reviewed such measures as altering the maximum fines and requiring animals be added to a dangerous dog registry.
MASSACHUSETTS http://www.mass.gov/
Haverhill - The City Council will hold one more committee meeting on new laws for dangerous dogs and then vote on a proposal for tougher rules and penalties in three weeks. "Public Safety can finish the discussion from last night and come back to us in three weeks," City Council President Michael Hart said, referring to a standing-room-only meeting Monday night (5/5/08) at City Hall. The proposal would establish two categories of canines ? dangerous dogs and potentially dangerous dogs. Dogs would be deemed dangerous or potentially dangerous by the city's dog officer or police chief, based on preset criteria. A dangerous dog is defined in the proposed ordinances as a dog that has bitten, attacked or terrorized a person, or a dog that is bred for fighting or drug trafficking. A potentially dangerous dog is a canine that acts in such an aggressive manner that the dog officer believes the animal is likely to attack a person. The proposal would give police new tools to control dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs, the mayor said. For instance, the police chief or dog officer may order the dog confined indoors or outdoors in an enclosed pen. Police may also order the dog's owner to purchase insurance in case the dog attacks and injures a person, according to the proposal. The ordinance also provides a $50 licensing surcharge for dangerous dogs. Other measures provided in the proposal would allow police to order owners of dangerous dogs to purchase behavioral training for the dog, home signs alerting the area to the presence of a dangerous dog and microchips to monitor the animal. Penalties for not following any requirements imposed by the police chief or dog officer range from $100 to destroying the animal.
Lynn - Ward 1 City Councilor Wayne Lozzi is proposing that landlords take out a $100,000 liability policy for tenants in possession of violent animals. Lozzi said the proposed amendment is a proactive approach to potentially control fierce dogs, instead of waiting for an animal to bite an unsuspecting person.
MICHIGAN http://www.legislature.mi.gov/
Burton - The City Council gave preliminary approval Monday to a proposed ban on "exotic, dangerous or undomesticated animals found in the wilderness" following reports of a wolf dog and an alligator being kept as pets in the city. A state law already puts restrictions on keeping some of the animals, but the city's proposal goes further. Included in Burton's proposed ordinance:
• No warm-blooded, carnivorous or omnivorous, wild or exotic animals, dangerous or undomesticated animals not considered ordinary house pets.
The ban includes foxes, wild or exotic cats, nonhuman primates, raccoons, skunks, wolves and wolf dogs.
It also bans spiders or insects that can inflict poisonous bites, venomous and cold-blooded reptiles, snakes 6 feet long or longer, crocodiles, piranhas, sharks and other dangerous cold-blooded animals.
Residents have 10 days once the ordinance is enacted to remove banned animals from the city.
Howell - Pit bulls or other "bully breeds" caught running loose in Livingston County would be euthanized within four days under a controversial proposal that puts county officials smack in the middle of the national
debate about what to do about dangerous dogs. "My job is to protect the citizens," said Livingston Animal Control Director Anne Burns, who drafted the recommendation. The proposed policy, which comes before the Livingston County Board of Supervisors on Monday (5/19/08), would end adoptions at the county-operated animal shelter of pit bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American bulldogs and mixes. Livingston County is not the first to adopt a policy to prevent the adoption
of "bully breeds." Ingham and Genesee counties' animal shelters and Capital Area Humane Society
in Lansing have similar regulations.
Warren - City Council has not yet taken action on the proposed regulation that would allow residents to have up to three dogs and two cats, or three cats and two dogs. He said an equal number of canines and domestic felines should be permitted in each household, up to a total maximum of six. How many ferrets can we have? How many guinea pigs? At what point do we stop being so specific? The ordinance also would prohibit kennels in residential areas.
MINNESOTA http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legis.asp
SF2876 - The bill won unanimous approval (4/21/08) after discussion about dog attacks, including one that killed a Minneapolis boy. The main provision would prohibit dog ownership for at least three years for those whose dogs hurt or kill someone or when the owners violate laws requiring restraints, microchips and other precautions. Representative Michael Paymar says there have been too many problems with dogs biting and sometimes killing children, adults and other pets. The punishment would not be linked to the dog's breed. SF3683 - An omnibus bill addressing (among other things) "requirements for practicing animal chiropractic care; recognizing a Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence certification; limiting use of certain drugs; changing certain requirements; regulating prescription of veterinary drugs." Signed by the governor 5/12/08.
East Bethel - City Council (4/16/08) passed a revised dangerous dog ordinance. The ordinance adds the definition of "potentially dangerous dog" and provides a specific impoundment procedure to follow after a dog bite is reported. Ordinance requires a proper enclosure as defined, posting warning signs of a dangerous dog on the property, annually providing proof of public liability insurance paid in fill in the minimum amount of $300,000, muzzling and restraining the dog with a chain or leash if it is outside an enclosure, tagging the dog as a dangerous dog on its collar, prove existence of a microchip identification in the dog and register the dangerous dog with Anoka County within 14 days. A "potentially dangerous dog" under the revised ordinance means any dog that inflicts a bite on a human or domestic animal on public or private property, chases or approaches a person, including a person on a bicycle, upon the streets, sidewalks or any public or private property other than the dog owner's property in an apparent attitude of attack or has a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack causing injury or otherwise threatening the safety of humans or domestic animals.
Sterns - Stearns County may adopt its own restrictions on dangerous dogs amid concerns that a state law isn’t enforceable. The county board has scheduled a public hearing to consider an ordinance regulating dangerous dogs. It likely will resemble the state law, which requires dogs determined to be dangerous to be registered, identified with a microchip and confined. Their owners must post a warning sign and carry liability insurance.  In state law, a “dangerous” dog is one that has “inflicted substantial bodily harm” without provocation, killed a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner’s property or has attacked after being declared potentially dangerous. Stearns County had been using the state law to classify dogs as dangerous after an attack. However, in light of a recent court case, there’s concern that the state law isn’t enforceable because it does not allow the dog’s owner to appeal, said Marcus Miller, assistant county attorney.
MISSOURI http://www.moga.mo.gov/
Springfield - Area psychologist Neal Cohen will address the council 4/21/08. He is helping to draw up a petition to bring the idea of a dog registration system here. He's wanting to put the idea of "differential registration" to a vote of the people: that is, people who decide to leave their animals intact, able to breed, would pay a higher animal registration fee than those who have their animals neutered. "All I've ever wanted to do is for the City Council to hold people accountable for decisions made regarding their animals," Cohen says.
MONTANA http://leg.mt.gov/css/default.asp 
The Montana Legislature meets biennially in odd-numbered years. The next session convenes Jan. 5, 2009.
Missoula - Extra officers are patrolling for leash and waste pick up laws in Missoula's public parks and trailheads, many dog owners are still letting their dogs off leashes and not picking up after them. The Parks Department says dozens of complaints are coming in about too much dog waste that's keeping children from being able to play in the grassy areas. One of the complaints says the amount of waste is atrocious. Parents say they don't mind the dogs being in the park, if everyone would follow the rules. Extra officers are patrolling parks and trailheads this week giving out warnings and tickets. Tickets average sixty-five dollars, but can be up to five hundred dollars for repeat offenders. (4/29/08)
NEBRASKA http://www.unicam.state.ne.us/web/public/home
Osceola - Will hold a second reading of a proposed ordinance to ban American pit bull terriers and seven other dog breeds at 7 p.m. Tuesday (05/12/08) **Note** the seven other breeds were not mentioned in the article and there is no city website.
NEVADA http://www.leg.state.nv.us/
NEW JERSEY http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/
A1583 & A1584 - COHEN/BURZICHELLI/FISHER BILLS TO OUTLAW SURGICAL MODIFICATION OF DOGS FOR SMUGGLING DRUGS ADVANCES - The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee today released two bills Assemblymen Neil M. Cohen, John J. Burzichelli and Douglas H. Fisher sponsored to make surgical modification of dogs and other animals to serve as drug mules a specific animal cruelty crime. The two-bill package was introduced in response to a report issued last year by the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) that live puppies were being used to smuggle bags of liquid heroin into the United States during a January 2005 raid on a clandestine veterinary clinic in Colombia, South America.
Trenton - The Governor of New Jersey intends to close 9+ state parks in New Jersey. A number of these parks are used for dog shows, specialties, agility trials, obedience, rally, lure coursing and specialties, as well as family picnics, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, hiking, back-packing, bird-watching, skiing, camping, and re-enactments.
NEW MEXICO http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/
Albequerque - Larren Glover says that his pet shepherd-Labrador mix died within an hour of being retrieved from Albuquerque’s animal control shelter and he wants the city’s spay-neuter policy amended. According to Glover, his dog Chico escaped from his yard when a utility worker left a gate open and, when animal control picked Chico up, he was neutered as city police dictates.

NEW YORK http://assembly.state.ny.us/
Buffalo - Victims of dog bites calling for dog owner database and revisions to state law. Under the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, a determination is made whether that particular dog involved is dangerous, and the law doesn't look collectively at all the dogs involved.
Schenectady - The new SPCA branch would have more peace officers than any other county in New York outside of New York City. Peace officers have the legal authority to investigate animal abuse charges and make arrests. They can carry handguns and mace, wear body armor and charge violators with crimes ranging from violations to felonies, some punishable by up to four years in prison. They may only exercise their authority while on duty, though.
Watertown - The owners of a cat killed by neighbors dogs will be petitioning the Watertown City Council to update the city animal control ordnances at the next council meeting. They also believe, since the city contracts with the county for animal control that the Jefferson County Legislature needs to address the selective enforcement policy of Animal Control as well.
Wheatfield - Residents who run dog kennels or boarding operations will have to obtain a special use permit under an amendment to the zoning law that the Town Board adopted Monday night, 4/14/2008

NORTH CAROLINA  http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/
The North Carolina Court of Appeals today (4/15/2008) overturned littering charges against two animal rights workers in Hertford County who had been convicted last year of the lesser offenses after a high-profile trial on allegations of animal cruelty. Essentially, the littering charges against Adria Hinkle and Andrew Cook were overturned because the prosecution failed to prove that a Dumpster is not the proper place for trash. Hinkle and Cook were employed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals when they were caught June 15, 2005, dumping euthanized animals into a trash bin at a shopping center in Ahoskie, N.C. 
Catawba County - Hickory - Redefined dangerous dog ordinance and added POTENTIALLY dangerous dog ordinance, "potentially" being an animal which kills another domestic animal.
Cumberland County - Policy committee considers dog-tethering law.
Forsyth County - Proposal from the Animal Control Advisory Board regarding Dangerous Dogs.
Iredell County - Commissioners will review a new Animal Control ordinance, written with the assistance of the Humane Society of Iredell County. The new ordinance is supposed to provide Animal Control employees with some clarity on state regulated procedure and matches general statutes. The new ordinance covers a variety of animal-related topics, including tethering, dangerous animals and sanitized water dishes.
Kinston - Officials are drafting an ordinance from the mold of many communities around the nation that have passed laws restricting or banning pit bull ownership. The ordinance includes a number of measures, including restricting the number of pit bulls per house, requiring owners to register their existing pit bulls, and keeping other pit bulls out of Kinston.
Orange County - Hillsborough - County has tentatively scheduled a public hearing May 20 on a proposal to limit the chaining or tying up of dogs. The revision to the county's animal control ordinance would limit how long a dog could be tethered, create minimum sizes for outdoor pens or enclosures, and regulate the types of tethers that can be used.

NORTH DAKOTA http://www.legis.nd.gov/
Kenmare - New city ordinance in Kenmare is forcing some dog owners to either part with their pets or leave town with them. Citizen concerns about potentially vicious dogs in the community, the Kenmare City Council voted April 14 to ban American Staffordshire terriers, Rottweilers and Doberman pinschers and any mixture of those breeds. The ordinance contains no grandfather clause, which means that dogs covered by the ordinance have 10 days to be removed from town. The city felt it needed to address concerns of residents about the type of dogs coming into town, Mayor Roger Ness said. There have been incidents with threatening dogs, although no one has been bitten. The ordinance doesn't allow the city to confiscate a dog, although Police Chief Gary Kraft said that is something that council may choose to add to the ordinance.
Minot - Police Department also is looking at what other towns are doing in preparing revisions to Minot's animal ordinance to present to the city council. Recently, a Minot resident requested keeping small goats, which aren't specifically prohibited. The city council denied the request. Minot's ordinance currently outlaws wolves and pit bulls, including American Staffordshire terriers and pit bull mixed breeds.
OHIO http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/
HB71: This bill was passed in amended form in the House and will be heard in the Senate Agriculture Committee on May 14. Originally written to tighten laws about impounding fighting dogs and fighting gamecocks, HB71 was amended in committee to remove due process for people accused of animal fighting or animal cruelty. Under this language, animals can be impounded based on reasonable cause (not probable cause and a court order) and owners have only 10 days to file for an appeal of the seizure. This presumes that the seized animals have been evaluated, charges have been filed, the court has set an amount of a required bond for their care, and the owner has arranged for the bond during that time. If not, the animals can be euthanized or otherwise disposed of. A substitute bill is expected at the hearing.
HB446 - HB446 hearing scheduled for 4/17/2008 was dropped from the hearing agenda.  Amendments were introduced on May 8 to return to the 3-month age for licensing puppies, but the 30-day grace period was dropped. Thus it will become illegal to own a puppy that is one day over three months of age unless it is licensed. Changes in the requirements for finders of stray dogs make it more difficult for a dog owner to reclaim his pet. There were no changes in the requirements to individually license each dog in a licensed kennel or to mandate that rabies vaccinations be given by a veterinarian. UPDATE:  Passed House (10-4).  House vote anticipated 5/20/08
SB 173: This kennel licensing bill affects breeders with more than eight intact dogs in their kennels. It sets up a state bureaucracy to inspect kennels, requires insurance in case dogs have to be impounded, and mandates bonds for animal care if the kennel owner wants to appeal a seizure. It also requires criminal background checks for license applicants, specifies housing and care requirements that deny breeders the opportunity to make decisions about bedding, water dishes, and veterinary care. A substitute bill is expected at a hearing on May 13.
Chagrin Falls - Will be discussing "dangerous dog" legislation on Monday, May 12, 2008, at 6:30 p.m.. The Safety Committee will hear from experts and residents of the Village. UPDATE:  The Chagrin Falls' Safety Committee had a meeting earlier this week to discuss residents' concerns regarding "dangerous dogs."  We were previously told that although pit bulls were the breed to cause the initial concern, the community was not considering breeds-specific ordinances.  Unfortunately, it appears that targeting pit bulls is exactly what the resident wants.  The next meeting is JUNE 9, 2008
Cincinnati - Confusion over proposed tightening of Cincinnati's ban on pit bulls Wednesday (5/07/08) led to a one-week delay on changes that would allow 10 trained police officers to identify dogs as pit bulls and would order the removal of any dog so labeled. The new language is simply a first step in a months-long process of studying how to make the vicious dog law more enforceable. It would order the training of 10 officers - two in each police district - to identify pit bulls and follow up on cases.  UPDATE: Cincinnati City Council talked for more than half an hour Wednesday about vicious dogs and pit bulls. On the table for a vote was an ordinance from Cecil Thomas that would train 10 police officers to learn to identify pit bulls and order any officer or dog warden to remove from premises any improperly confined vicious dog or "any dog identified as a pit bull terrier."  It wasn't just the ordinance itself that prompted the 30-plus minute discussion. Chris Bortz wanted to know why it didn't say specifically what training the officers would get. He did most of the questioning and wanted more time to do more, but Mayor Mark Mallory wouldn't give it to him. Bortz also dropped in a key piece of info: Harold Dates (he's the CEO of the SPCA, aka the head dog warden) was against the ordinance too. Council members seemed more interested in how the ordinance got to the floor of council without debate first in Thomas' law committee (that's because he didn't have a quorum there Tuesday afternoon) and without the knowledge of members of a task force established last fall to study the city's vicious dog law and make fixes to it.
Columbus - The owner of a former North Side kennel removed the cages from his yard after a judge ruled two months ago that he was violating city zoning rules. Since then, inspectors have found five more people illegally running kennels in Columbus residential areas.  They also discovered 25 kennel-permit holders in Columbus who aren't running kennels. They have so many dogs, though, that buying one kennel license is cheaper than buying an individual license for each animal. Franklin County Auditor Joe Testa said he plans to revoke the licenses of those who aren't running kennels. He cited a 1955 state attorney general's opinion that if there is reasonable doubt that a kennel exists, he can require a property owner to prove that it does. Animal control officers began visiting those people Wednesday. Those who improperly have kennel licenses will be given until Friday to obtain individual licenses. If they don't, animal control will file charges that could result in fines of up to $150 per dog, said David Shellhouse, animal control field supervisor.
Lucas County -The Lucas County Dog Warden's door-to-door campaign to enforce the state's dog licensing laws has been put to a temporary halt by the county commissioners. Commissioner Ben Konop said he wasn't sure if the door-to-door license checks were a good use of county money - and he was concerned the random checks might violate protections against unreasonable search and seizure in the U.S. Constitution. "We all want to see the laws enforced," Mr. Konop said. "But maybe there are ways you can do that in a less intrusive manner and a less costly manner." Tina Skeldon Wozniak, the president of the commissioners, agreed to the temporary halt. She said she wanted to see if there were better ways to ensure compliance with dog licensing laws.
Reading - City Council is considering an ordinance that would ban all vicious dogs – including pit bulls – from the city. The ordinance, which was given its first reading last week, uses the Ohio Revised Code definition of a vicious dog as one that, without provocation, has killed or injured a person or another dog, and/or a dog that belongs to a breed that is commonly known as pit bull. A majority council vote on the third reading of the proposed ordinance is needed for it to become law. Under the proposed ordinance, the determination of whether a particular dog is actually a pit bull would be made by the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Sylvania - city council will consider a vicious dog ordinance modeled after Toledo's one-dog limit, which was upheld by the Ohio Supreme Court. UPDATE:  heated debate in Sylvania at a public meeting (04/06/08) over additional restrictions on "pit bulls" and vicious dog legislation. FINAL UPDATE: Monday (4/21/2008) the City of Sylvania made a decision contrary to the dog warden's recommendation.  Council members decided to just stick with its current laws.
Whitehall - Councilwoman Jackie Thompson withdrew a controversial ordinance that would ban pit bulls in the city (04/15/08). 
OKLAHOMA http://www.lsb.state.ok.us/
Del City - Pit bull terriers are once again allowed in a metro city, as Del City officially lifted its ban on the breed. City leaders decided Monday not to appeal a judge's ruling that its law banning the dogs was unconstitutional. 
Midwest City - While Del City's ban is gone, Midwest City officials are still targeting pit bulls as part of their ban. An attorney for Midwest City said the city is facing a civil lawsuit. City leaders there took note of the judge's decision in the Del City case but are continuing to fight to keep the ban.
Ponca City - Considering Mandatory Spay/Neuter. Shanley Wells-Rau, chairman of the Animal Control Advisory Board, said the proposed ordinance was intended to eliminate the financial incentive for irresponsible pet ownership. It would require pet owners to have animals more than six months old spayed or neutered or to purchase an intact animal license. The proposed ordinance includes many exemptions, including exemptions for medical reasons as determined by a veterinarian, animals who are visiting but do not live in Ponca City, service animals, police animals and competition animals. The proposed ordinance also exempts animal owners who are members of an approved purebred breed club, which maintains and enforces a code of ethics for breeding that includes restrictions from breeding animals with genetic defects and life-threatening health problems that commonly threaten the breed. Breeders also would be required to purchase a whelping license. Mayor Homer Nicholson said the proposed ordinance does not interfere with responsible breeders.
OREGON http://www.leg.state.or.us/
SB1072 - Ordered by Senate 2/13/08 - Relating to dog fighting; amending ORS 167.360, 167.370 and 167.372; and declaring an emergency.  Summary: Modifies crime of participation in dog fighting. Expands definition of 'dog fighting paraphernalia'. 
Ballot Measure 53 - In response to unanswered questions, the 2007 Legislature worked with the Oregon Dept. of Justice, the Oregon District Attorneys Association, the Oregon Chiefs of Police, the Oregon State Sheriffs Association, the ACLU of Oregon, and the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association to develop Ballot Measure 53.  If Ballot Measure 53 is adopted, certain abandoned property and neglected or abused animals can be forfeited without a conviction.  Under Ballot Measure 53, the cash next to methamphetamines can be forfeited, the pets can be put up for adoption, and local governments can share in the proceeds for assisting the federal government. 
PENNSYLVANIA http://www.legis.state.pa.us/
HB 499 - Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania2 Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the penalties for cruelty to animals. 
HB 2525 - An Act, Amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784, No.225), entitled, as amended, "An act relating to dogs, regulating  the keeping of dogs; providing for the licensing of dogs and  kennels; providing for the protection of dogs and the detention and destruction of dogs in certain cases; regulating the sale and transportation of dogs; declaring dogs to be personal property and the subject of theft; providing for the abandonment of animals; providing for the assessment of damages done to animals; providing for payment of damages by the Commonwealth in certain cases and the liability of the owner or keeper of dogs for such damages; imposing powers and duties on certain State and local officers and employees; providing penalties; and creating a Dog Law Restricted Account," further providing for definitions, for issuance of dog licenses, for applications for dog licenses, for kennels, for requirements for kennels, for out-of-State dealer license, for bills of sale, for revocation, suspension or refusal of kennel licenses, for transportation of dogs, for health certificates for importation, for inspections of premises and dogs and for additional duties of department; providing for refusal of entry; further providing for seizure and detention of dogs, for confinement of dogs, for dog bites, for registration, for certain requirements, for control of dangerous dogs, for public safety, for selling, bartering or trading dogs, for damages caused by coyotes, for burdens of proof, for enforcement, for rules and regulations and for violations; providing for exemption; further defining "releasing agency"; and making editorial changes. WARNING:  81 pages long!
HB 2532 - Amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for cruelty to animals. (h) Cropping ears of dog; all docking, debarking, surgical birth, prima facie evidence of violation.  A person commits a summary offense if he crops or cuts off, or causes or procures to be cropped or cut off, the whole part or part of the ear or ears of a dog or shows or exhibits or procures the showing or exhibition of any dog whose ear is or ears are cropped or cut off, in whole or in part, unless the person showing the dog has in his possession either a certificate of a veterinarian stating that the cropping was done by the veterinarian or a certificate of registration from a county treasurer[,] showing that [such] the dog was cut or cropped before this section became effective. (3) (i) A person commits a summary offense if he person docks, cuts off, causes or procures the docking or cutting off of the tail of a dog over three days old. (ii)  The provisions of this paragraph shall not prevent a veterinarian from cutting or cropping the whole or part of the tail of a dog when the dog is anesthetized and shall not prevent a person from causing or procuring the cutting or docking of a tail of a dog by a veterinarian. (iii) The possession by a person of a dog with a tail cut off or docked and with the wound resulting therefrom unhealed shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this paragraph by the person except as provided in this paragraph.
Harrisburg - A western Pennsylvania legislator today (5/13/08) will introduce long-awaited revisions to Pennsylvania's dog law pushed by Gov. Ed Rendell, the biggest step forward in a tortuous, two-year-long process geared toward improving the lot of thousands of dogs in puppy mills.  The legislation, along with revisions to the state's anti-cruelty statute, will come a day before supporters of the bills rally with their pets at the Capitol in Harrisburg.  ''There will be a lot of dogs,'' said Rendell spokeswoman Teresa Candori. ''The rally has gotten a lot of attention. We are expecting a couple hundred people.''  Rep. James E. Casorio Jr., D-Westmoreland, the prime sponsor of the dog law revisions, did not return messages Monday seeking comment. The anti-cruelty amendments, sponsored by Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone, D-Berks, would increase fines and require dog owners to pay for the cost of keeping seized dogs in shelters, unless the owners relinquish the pets. 
Erie - Animal-control officials with the state and city of Erie will start canvassing the city and other areas of Erie County the week of May 14 to enforce dog laws. The officials plan to issue citations or warnings for laws pertaining to dog licenses, rabies vaccinations and dogs that are out of control or running at large, according to a statement today from the state Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Dog Law
Reading -  Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court has turned down Reading’s request to reconsider its February order throwing out the so-called aggressive breed ordinance. City officials said Tuesday that they will appeal to the state Supreme Court. The new appeal, as with the former, has no immediate effect.
The overturned ordinance imposed severe restrictions on owners of dogs considered aggressive, but no breeds have been put on the aggressive list since 2003.
RHODE ISLAND http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/
H7011 - AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS - DOGS - This act would permit the animal control officer in the town of Warren to issue citations to animal owners who are in violation of any animal control ordinance which may be paid by mail and also to prescribe pecuniary penalties.
House read and passed.
H7212 - AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS - This act would provide for judicial direction regarding incarceration related to animal fighting.
H7284 - AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - DOGS - This act would prohibit any person from keeping a dog tethered, penned, caged, fenced or other wise confined outside for more than thirty (30) minutes when temperature is beyond the weather safety scale as set forth in the most recent adopted version of the Tufts Animal Care Condition Scale. "Guardian" is also defined as the owner/possessor of the dog   2/27/2008 Committee recommended measure be held for further study 
S2006 - AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS -DOGS - This act would permit the animal control officer in the town of Warren to issue citations to animal owners who are in violation of any animal control ordinance which may be paid by mail and also to prescribe pecuniary penalties. Senate read and passed  05/15/2008
S2008 - AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS - This act would increase the various penalties related to animal cruelty.
S2030 - AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - CRUELTY TO ANIMALS - This act would provide for mandatory imprisonment for convictions related to animal fighting
S2043 - AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - REGULATION OF VICIOUS DOGS - This act would add the director of the defenders of animals or his or her designee to the hearing panel which decides whether as dog should be declared vicious.
S2096 - AN ACT RELATING TO ANIMALS AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY - DOGS - This act would provide guidelines and penalties for any person that keeps a dog outside tethered, penned, caged, fenced or otherwise contained without adequate shelter from the elements.. "Guardian" is also defined as the owner/possessor of the dog (guardian would be interchangeable with owner/possessor).  
SOUTH CAROLINA www.scstatehouse.net/index/html
HB5010 - A BILL TO AMEND SECTION 47-3-710, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF TERMS USED IN THE REGULATION OF DANGEROUS ANIMALS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT DANGEROUS ANIMALS INCLUDE CERTAIN BREEDS AND SPECIES, INCLUDING PIT BULLS, TO AUTHORIZE BUT NOT REQUIRE, COUNTY GOVERNING BODIES TO DESIGNATE OTHER BREEDS OR SPECIES AS DANGEROUS ANIMALS; AND TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT AN ANIMAL IS NOT A DANGEROUS ANIMAL SOLELY BY VIRTUE OF ITS BREED OR SPECIES   
S833  - 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 FOR MORE THAN THREE HOURS A DAY OR FOR MORE THAN SIX HOURS A DAY ON A TROLLEY SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE CLASS I MISDEMEANOR CRIMINAL PENALTIES; AND TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY ORDINANCE TO VARY THESE REGULATIONS.  'Confine an animal in a cruel manner' or cruel confinement of an animal' means confining an animal by means of a cage, crate, pen, or similar confinement under circumstances in which the person intends to endanger the animal's health or safety, or the person reasonably should have known would endanger the animal's health or safety PASSED House Referred to Committee on Judiciary
Anderson - City Council member Tony Stewart is proposing a ban on new pit bulls and tighter restrictions on existing pit bulls some owners have in the city. The proposed ordinance says existing pit bulls present an unacceptable risk of harm and fear to residents. Under the proposed ordinance existing pit bulls must have a fenced yard, you must be at least 18 year old to walk the dog, and it must have a muzzle on it's mouth. Also, owners must have a $1,000.00 dollar insurance policy. Also, pit bulls must have their tags and shots. UPDATE:  City Council continued its investigation into vicious dogs Monday night (4/28/08), appointing a seven-member committee to continue to look at the issue. Jose Fernandez, a doctor at Magnolia Veterinary Hospital, Duff Leuder of K-9 Pet Dog Training, Herbert Ervin, the city's animal control officer, Angela Wallace, vice president of the Anderson County Humane Society, and City Councilman Tony Stewart will serve on the committee. A second council member and a member to be elected by the committee also will be appointed to serve. City officials have been bombarded with information since the issue of banning pit bulls came up last month. Mayor Terence Roberts said he's received magazine articles and information packets about breed-specific legislation.
Dillon - Dillon City Council will soon try to pass an ordinance that would require all pit bulls to be registered with the city. The proposed ordinance, which is three pages long, also would restrict where the owners could take their dogs. If the ordinance is passed, those who fail to follow it would face fines. Councilman Randolph Gurley is spearheading the campaign to restrict pit bulls within the city limits. "We had an ordinance to ban pit pulls from the city limits, but we got so much controversy from that,” he said. “We have decided to go back and re-do the ordinance and take it and restrict them to the premises.” UPDATE:  5/12/08 - Dillon City Council approved an ordinance that defines the pit-bull as a dangerous animal, and gives owners stricter guidelines. The council’s decision was unanimous. Pit-bull owners must register their dog with Dillon Police. If the dog is walked within the city limits it must be on a four to five foot leash. A fence is also required and any owner that violates the new ordinance could face fines, legal charges up to a misfeasor and the dog could even be put to sleep. This ordinance also includes dogs that look like bull terriers, or American Staffordshire Terriers.  
Florence - Students at one Florence middle school hope to go before county council to talk about Breed Specific Legislation. That's legislation that would prohibit residents from owning, breeding, or raising particular types of dogs, like pit bulls. The seventh grade class from Southside Middle, however, is proposing to block such legislation from ever passing in Florence County.
Lancaster County - Round two for a proposed vicious dog ordinance. Last month, a citizens' committee was tweaking a proposed law that would've automatically labeled certain dog breeds vicious. The ordinance labeled pit bulls, American bulldogs, and canary dogs as vicious animals and required that they be registered with the county, kept inside a steel cage, and wear special bright-colored collars. The citizens' committee stripped all the breed-specific language from the newest version of the ordinance. At the very least, county leaders say a leash law will come out of all these talks. That's something the county has never had. The last vote on the ordinance will likely be taken next month. UPDATE:  Lancaster County Animal Control Director Joel Hinson said there may be some confusion about the new animal control laws County Council finalized last week. What do the county's new animal control laws require?
Lyman - ordinance limiting how long a dog can be tethered and prohibiting dangerous dogs from being in the town was approved by the town council Thursday (3/20).  A special meeting was called to have the second and final reading on the ordinance. The first reading was on March 13. The 11-page ordinance specifies numerous aspects of animal control and makes Lyman a rarity in Spartanburg County: a town that bans the existence of dangerous animals in the community. A dangerous dog was defined as any dog that: Attacks a person, domestic animal or domesticated dog or cat and causes physical injury or death when unprovoked. Bites or attempts to bite any person while at large. Attacks or attempts to attack any other dog or animal or chases or catches a person while at large. Poses a threat of harm or endangers the safety of persons, domesticated animals while at large or not at large. Is owned or harbored for dog fighting. Is trained for the purpose of dog fighting or has engaged in dog fighting. Is tormented, badgered, baited, trained or encouraged to engage in unprovoked attacks upon people or domesticated animals.
Richland County - current ordinance offers few restrictions on vicious dogs, except how they should be confined on property. Lexington and Kershaw counties have vicious-dog ordinances but no dog limits per household or breed restrictions. Still, Councilman Norman Jackson, chairman of council’s development and services committee, said getting County Council to approve specific measures, like household limits or breed restrictions, “shouldn’t be a problem.”
TENNESSEE   http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/
HB2803 - AN ACT to amend Animals and Animal Cruelty - Enacts the “Tennessee Animal Abuser Registration, Tracking and Verification Act of 2008.” - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 39. This bill establishes registration, verification, and tracking requirements for an animal abuser, which means any person who commits aggravated cruelty to animals, felony animal fighting, or bestiality. The requirements under this bill for the animal abuser registry are similar to the present law requirements for sex offenders. The Tennessee bureau of investigation (TBI) would maintain the registry.
SB2676 - AN ACT to amend Animals and Animal Cruelty - Enacts the “Tennessee Animal Abuser Registration, Tracking and Verification Act of 2008.” - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 39. This bill establishes registration, verification, and tracking requirements for an animal abuser, which means any person who commits aggravated cruelty to animals, felony animal fighting, or bestiality. The requirements under this bill for the animal abuser registry are similar to the present law requirements for sex offenders. The Tennessee bureau of investigation (TBI) would maintain the registry.
Bristol - The City Council has enacted a new tethering ordinance with intentions of preventing injury and unnecessary suffering of dogs. Though the ordinance passed unanimously, Mayor David Shumaker said a total ban on tethering is not realistic. "It’s very difficult to legislate morality," he said. "And in the end, that’s what we’re trying to assist in doing. Doing away with tethering completely – I just don’t now how that would be accepted here." Shumaker asked City Manager Jeff Broughton if police could deliver the new ordinance in the form of a flyer to residences in the city where it appears dogs may be suffering harm from tethering. City Attorney Jack Hyder said he and city staff looked at ordinances across the country and came up with what they believe is "a fair compromise."  The new laws make it unlawful to tether a dog unless: Tether weighs not more than one-eighth of dog’s weight; tether provides 12 feet of movement; tether is equipped with swivel device; a non-choke collar is used; access to food, water, shelter is provided, and dog remains on owner’s property unless consent is given by property owner upon which the tether extends. The punishment for not following these requirements is a $50 fine. Councilwoman Margaret Feierabend called the new ordinance "incremental" and said it was only a matter of time until the city outlaws tethering.
Hardeman County  - Commission unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday night (4/22/08) banning the ownership, harboring, or possession of Pit Bulls, including Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers. The resolution also bans the ownership of mixed breeds that have the same appearance and characteristics of the above-mentioned breeds. Persons owning such dogs at the present time may retain possession, provided they comply with all provisions stated within the resolution within 30 days. The law goes into effect immediately.
Selmer - Selmer city council passed their proposed pit bull ban at the council meeting last night.(5/13/08) NO GRANDFATHER CLAUSE. Citizens have 90 days to "rehome" their dogs.
TEXAS http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/
Amarillo - An ordinance that would ban tethering of dogs in Amarillo is on hold. City commissioners were briefed on the ordinance in April and informally agreed with banning tethering of dogs. City Manager Alan Taylor said he is not ready to bring the ordinance to a vote because he wants more time to determine its ultimate impact. "It becomes a question of humane treatment of the animal (taking) precedence over protection of the community," Taylor said. "We are going to go back and do some research and see exactly what type of experience (other cities) had when they enacted their ordinance."  
Austin, city of - The Animal Advisory Commission convened on Wednesday, 4/16/08 to discuss the following:  ASPCA mission, budget priorities, pet trader ordinance, petland/TLAC shelter cat adoption program, no kill subcommittee recommendations, dangerous dog ordinance recommendations, new shelter update, and future agenda items. The Dangerous Dog Ordinance is still being discussed at the Austin Animal Advisory Commission meetings.  It is brought up every monthly meeting but can not get any kind of consensus to pass anything.  The commission keeps sending it back to the sub committee for a re-write.  UPDATE: Austin City Council passed the Pet Trader Ordinance with the definition of a pet trader as "a person who exchanges for consideration more than fifteen dogs or cats, or both, in a year."  The term excludes the animal shelter or a person who makes an exchange that is not for profit. 
Dallas - The proposed ordinance (http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/04/new-pet-ordinances.html) in part calls for the mandatory spaying or neutering of all pets, restrictions on tethering pets in a yard and limiting the number of dogs and cats to six per household. The full council will conduct a June 18 briefing on the proposed ordinance, with a formal vote to follow the next week, on June 25, Dr. Garcia said Thursday.  Given the strong feelings on both sides of the issue, gear up: Plenty of humans will be barking up a storm at City Hall.
Frisco - Puts map of dangerous dogs online. With a click of a button, Frisco residents can find out if a dangerous dog lives near them.                       
Lubbock - Animal Shelter Advisory Committee voted against Mandatory Pet Spay/Neuter and Intact Dog Permits (04/25/08)
Madisonville - In February, 2008, Pit bulls were no longer welcomed, or legal, in Madisonville. The city council passed an ordinance effectively banning pit bulls within the city limits. UPDATE:  RPOA has presented a brief by Attorney Zandra Anderson to Madisonville elected city officials regarding their breed specific legislation passed in violation of state law and will be pursuing this issue. 
Plano - working on an ordinance to ban tethering and also develop a program that would provide low- or fixed-income residents with kennels and dog runs.
UTAH http://www.le.state.ut.us/
VERMONT http://www.leg.state.vt.us/
Vermont's Supreme Court will hear a case about whether a pet owner has the right to compensation for the emotional pain and loss of companionship when the animal dies as a result of negligence. Sensing the importance of the case, veterinary associations—including the AVMA—animal rights groups, and other interested parties are weighing in. Although limited to the state of Vermont, the court's decision has the potential to reshape animal jurisprudence in this country as well as the practice of veterinary medicine.
H0067  - AN ACT RELATING TO HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE AND DOMESTIC DOGS - This bill proposes to prohibit the presence of dogs as a factor in the sale of homeowner’s insurance except when a specific dog is documented to have caused significant damage to real or personal property or bodily injury to a person.
H0108  - AN ACT RELATING TO THE IMPOUNDMENT OF VICIOUS DOMESTIC PETS OR WOLF-HYBRIDS - This bill proposes to direct municipalities to impound immediately a domestic pet or wolf-hybrid that has attacked a person .
H0186 - AN ACT RELATING TO MUNICIPAL DAMAGES FOR DOMESTIC ANIMALS INJURED OR KILLED BY DOGS - This bill proposes to limit the financial liability of municipalities for damages for domestic animals killed or injured by dogs to no more than $125.00 per animal.
H0287 - AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTING UN-TETHERED DOGS IN OPEN PICKUP TRUCKS - This bill proposes to prohibit the transportation of un-tethered dogs in the back of open pickup trucks.
H769 - AN ACT RELATING TO REGULATION OF COMMERCIAL DOG BREEDERS IN VERMONT. This bill proposes to regulate commercial dog breeders in Vermont.
S0022 - AN ACT RELATING TO PREVENTION OF INJURIES CAUSED BY DANGEROUS DOGS - This bill proposes to prevent injuries from dangerous dogs.
S0341 - AN ACT RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF PET MERCHANTS - This bill clarifies that a pet dealer is anyone who sells an animal and sets out compliance criteria for dog breeders.
VIRGINIA  http://www.virginia.gov/cmsportal2/index.html
HUNTING DOG ENTHUSIASTS check out
http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/staterk.html for bills affecting your sport!! Also bookmark
http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/stater.html (sorry this page has moved) for more information on house & senate bills.
The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) has targeted Virginia's hound hunters, asking its millions of misguided supporters to send emails to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ (DGIF) Hounds Study Stakeholders Advisory Committee (SAC). Its anti-hunting alert and preprogrammed webpage attack calling for additional hound hunting restrictions.
In a closely related development, after a five-month delay, the HSUS-PETA-DGIF December 2007 hounds study "focus group" meeting summary was just released. DGIF's Virginia Tech (VT) study facilitator invited HSUS and PETA to a meeting over the objections of sportsmen and some DGIF board members. The anti-hunting animal rightists' principal complaints were hound hunting is cruel and un-sportsman-like, hounds are abused and hounds-men and dogs trespass.  For further information and instructions, Virginia Sportsmen should contact http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com
Richmond - Gov. Kaine signed legislation toughening the law against animal fighting and proposed an earlier effective date for a measure regulating so-called "puppy mills," concluding his action on the 889 bills passed by the 2008 General Assembly. Lawmakers will reconvene April 23 to consider Kaine's amendments and previously announced vetoes. Kaine also signed legislation making cockfighting a felony and giving authorities more tools for investigating and prosecuting dogfighters. The measure gained broad support after the federal dogfighting conspiracy conviction of suspended NFL star Michael Vick. The governor proposed making the puppy mill legislation effective Jan. 1 instead of July 1, 2009. The legislation requires large commercial dog breeding operations to get a business license and submit to inspections by local animal control officers. It also imposes strict record-keeping requirements. The bill was prompted by problems last year at several puppy mills, including a fire that killed nearly 200 animals in Bland County and the discovery of more than 1,000 dogs at a Carroll County dog-breeding operation.
WASHINGTON http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature
Tacoma - Pierce County - In the aftermath of several dog attacks last year, the Pierce County Council is considering an ordinance that will make owners pay higher fees to own animals that are considered to be dangerous.  UPDATE:  If Pierce County Executive John Ladenburg signs the ordinance, which he is expected to do, all dogs would be treated the same regardless of their breed. This should be a comforting thought to pit bull and Rottweiler owners, who often say good and bad dogs are unjustly lumped together based on breed rather than behavior. The proposed ordinance would address the idea that there are no bad dogs, just bad owners. That would mean it wouldn’t matter if your face were mauled by a pit bull or a Pomeranian. Dog owners would have to fork over a $500 fee each year they own a dangerous dog, one that has severely injured a person or another animal. Those owners of dangerous dogs would also have to carry $500,000 in liability insurance.
Union Gap - At the Union Gap City Council meeting Monday night,(5/12/08)  the council added some teeth to its animal laws -- affecting everything from ownership of cats and dogs to chickens and roosters. The purpose for the revamped ordinance was to clear up some conflicting and vague language on the books, Mayor Jim Lemon said. Among the changes: *People are limited to owning a maximum of four poultry and four rabbits on lots less than one-half acre. Roosters are prohibited outright. * Pet owners are only required to license their dogs if the animals have committed a violent offense, such as attacking a person. This means pit bull owners no longer have to automatically license their dogs. * If an animal owner has a pet that commits the same violent offense twice, the violator shall be guilty of a criminal misdemeanor and could face a maximum of 90 days in jail and/or up to a $1,000 fine. * Unless they have a kennel permit, city dwellers are limited to owning a maximum of four dogs or cats -- or a combination of both -- on each individual, legal lot. Councilman Dave Matson opposed this latter rule, saying people should be allowed to own four cats and four dogs -- if that's their wish. "Who can control cats, anyway?" he said. "Who can monitor cats? They're like rats." Despite Matson's appeal, his request was defeated by the council 4-3. 
WEST VIRGINIA http://www.legis.state.wv.us/index.cfm
Hampshire County - Romney - proposed new ordinance on barking dogs is under review by Hampshire County officials and will be the subject of a public hearing before it is enacted. The ordinance says that when a dog's barking occurs continually and is audible beyond the property line where it is located for beyond 30 minutes, and is attested to by at least two people not in the same household, the dog owner is in violation of the ordinance. The barking can also be of shorter duration and occurring on more than five occasions within a five-day period, but still must be attested to by the two people. The ordinance calls for investigation of complaints and enforcement to be handled by the animal control officer and his deputies. The proposal calls for appearance before a magistrate and appeals of convictions there are made to circuit court.
Morgantown - West Virginia Citizens for Honest Adoption (CHAP) has asked Morgantown City Council to approve an ordinance for animal rights and pet owner safety. The group has asked council to take a closer look at the city's rules on animal cruelty.
WISCONSIN http://www.legis.state.wi.us
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress - Voted on April 14 to urge the state to develop a gray wolf hunt to keep population numbers within management objectives. The wolf hunt resolution passed through the Conservation Congress by a vote of 4,848 to 772 according to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Arpin - Pit bulls and pit bull mixes are no longer welcome in one Central Wisconsin village. The Wood County village of Arpin has amended its dog ordinance to ban the breeds after a number of complaints from residents. Village president John Esser says there was a discussion about whether it was fair to single out one breed, but it was only a short talk. Dogs of that breed that were already registered with the village as of April 1 are exempted from the amendment. But if one were to attack a person, it would also be banned. In 2003 Neillsville approved a similar ban, a year after five serious dog bites involving pit bulls were reported. Wausau also discussed a pit bull ban but it later made the ban more general to outlaw what it called dangerous animals. Those are defined as animals that approach or chase humans and other animals in a menacing fashion, or that bite or inflict injury. 
Cudahy - city is looking to pass a Pit Bull/Vicious Dog ordinance
Madison - A proposal to establish a hunting season on gray wolves will be up for a vote Monday night at the statewide spring meetings of the Conservation Congress, a powerful advisory group to the state Department of Natural Resources on outdoor sporting issues. Brust, who chairs the Conservation Congress committee on wolves, said he expects the proposal to pass. If it does, the DNR will probably look more seriously at a hunting season on an animal that, less than two years ago, was still on the federal endangered species list. Brust said that as wolf population numbers have climbed, depredation by some wolves on livestock, pets and hunting dogs has increased. A wolf hunting season, he said, would not only be a way to keep the population in check, it would also help retain support for the recovery program, especially in Northern Wisconsin. Farmers and others who have to deal with problem wolves were encouraged last year, Brust said, when the delisting of the wolf allowed them to shoot wolves on their land if they are killing livestock. A hunting season would be another important step.
Marshfield - Would you believe the animal control officer, uses a "poop control device". Residents are allowed 2 dogs/2 cats. If you have, or want more, the animal control officer will come out and inspect you. They have a "poop wand" a device they wave over the ground to determine if you have picked up new poop, or if you let the poop set there a long time, seeping into the ground. The readings they get on their "poop control device" determines if they are going to let you have more than 2 dogs or 2 cats.
Menomonee Falls - April 7th the Board voted to NOT adopt a pet limit and to remove the term "guardian" from the ordinances.
Mineral Point - City Council notified dogs were no longer allowed in the Library Park, the Pocket Park and the Softball Field. A resident was not picking up his dog's waste, rather than deal with the individual they decided to punish ALL dog owners because they did not want to confront him.  Claims to be done in the name of "fairness".
Mosinee - Pit bulls and any mixed breed dog that contains a portion of pit bull could be banned by the Mosinee City Council tonight. (5/12/08)  City staff members have revised the city's animal ordinance to include the prohibition of any pit bull terrier, including American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier or pit bull mix.
Onalaska - After months of debate on “puppy mills” and dog-lovers’ rights, the Onalaska Town Board passed an ordinance Monday (4/28/08) that limits residents to either two or four dogs, depending on the zoning of their home. Under the new ordinance residents living on land zoned for residential use are permitted to keep no more than two dogs older than 5 months on their property. People living on land zoned exclusive agriculture, transitional agriculture or agriculture A or B are permitted up to four dogs older than 5 months.  Owners with more than four dogs must obtain a kennel/commercial animal operation permit through La Crosse County. Included in the four-page ordinance are existing stipulations that dogs need to be licensed and collared. Also, “dangerous or vicious” dogs are not permitted in the town, pet owners need to clean up their animals’ waste and owners could be held responsible for damage committed by their pets.
Racine - Alderman Ray DeHahn is calling for stricter handling of vicious dogs. He originally asked the city attorney to draft an ordinance specifically dealing with pit bulls. But he has since reconsidered the now-drafted ordinance, which he said would be too difficult to enforce. The drafted ordinance would have prohibited the "ownership, harboring, or possessing of pit bulls within the city of Racine." The draft would have allowed current registered owners to keep their pit bulls as long as they followed stricter regulations. Instead of a pit bull ordinance, the city should look into leash and muzzle regulations, he said. DeHahn is still uncertain about the details, such as who would enforce regulations, how it would be funded and how much the fines would be.
Two Rivers - City Council members approved four ordinance amendments Monday (5/5/08) evening related to the number of dogs and cats people can have in the city. Now, people who want to exceed the number of dogs and cats allowed can apply for a waiver permit. An ordinance that went into effect last year set the limit at three adult dogs, five adult cats or a combination of the two resulting in no more than five total and no more than three adult dogs. Anyone wanting to exceed the limit could apply for a kennel license, whether it was to operate a commercial kennel, provide foster care for rescued animals, raise dogs to show or for any other reason, including just wanting a lot of pets. The ordinance amendment approved by the council differentiates between commercial kennels, which must obtain a kennel license, and households that have numerous animals for other reasons, which must obtain a waiver permit.  Fees accompanying the waiver permit are $25 per year for four to six dogs or six to 10 cats, or a combination of dogs and cats totaling no more than 10, and $50 for more animals than that. Annual costs for commercial kennels to obtain a kennel license are $50 for up to 10 animals or $75 for more than 10. For both kennel licenses and waiver permits, inspections are required, waivers and licenses can be revoked, and people may appeal denials or revocations to the City Council.
Village of Slinger - Despite the fact that the State of Wisconsin enacted a rabies exemption law for health compromised pets, the Village of Slinger elected officials believe that they know more about animal health than the State of Wisconsin Veterinarian as well as the foremost authorities on animal vaccines. The Village of Slinger has proven itself to be yet another “unfriendly pet community” in Southeast Wisconsin. Not only do they have pet limit laws, but now they will also force people to go into hiding who want to protect the health of their animals. Expect to see licensing compliance in this community. There are new residential areas being built in Slinger. Warn all animal owners to stay away from this municipality if the current elected officials continue to make irrational decisions. By not following the advice of experts, they have proven to be a very unfriendly community.

COUNTRIES -  OF OTHER INTEREST

AFRICA -
MIRI: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has found Sarawak to be “extremely weak” in enforcing laws against cruelty to animals and endangered wildlife. The laws drawn up by the state government were good but there was something very wrong with the enforcement, said UNDP’s expert in environmental conservation in Sarawak, Dr Alexander Sayok.
Uganda - President Yoweri Museveni has instructed the agriculture ministry to review veterinary and animal legislations to stop nomadic practices, which he said facilitate the spread of diseases. Hillary Onek, the agriculture minister, said illegal movement of animals had increased the spread of diseases, threatening national productivity. "The President wants strong laws and serious punitive measures to stop illegal animal movements that are increasing the spread of diseases," he said. Speaking during a workshop on effective control of animal movement at Colline Hotel, Mukono, recently, the minister said the review would add tough jail terms on the present dormant laws. Due to nomadic tendencies and illegal animal movement, the foot-and-mouth disease spread like a wildfire when it broke out in 2006 in western Uganda, Onek asserted. 
CANADA -
New Tecumseth - Changes to the bylaw were scheduled for discussion at a committee of the whole meeting Monday night, but the issue was deferred to a June meeting because residents who had requested to be contacted about the bylaw were not given notice.  The changes to the bylaw would require kennels to have at least five-acres. The new bylaw would also limit homeowners to three dogs in urban areas and five dogs in rural areas. Special permits would be available for people exceeding the dog limit. Dog owners would have to apply to the town and approved owners would face a $500 licensing fee for each dog over the limit.
Toronto - The legislation that was supposed to give Ontario the toughest animal protection laws in Canada isn't tough enough, doesn't properly fund enforcement and could end up charging farmers for routine activities like castrating animals, critics said Thursday. While the governing Liberals say the proposed legislation is strict by slapping animal abusers with fines, jail terms and a lifetime ban on owning pets, a growing chorus of critics say the law doesn't apply to wildlife and doesn't give the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals enough money to catch abusers. "There are people in our society who, for whatever reason, have done some pretty cruel things to animals, and we need legislation to deal with that," said New Democrat Gilles Bisson. "Does this legislation do that? Partly. But it doesn't go to the extent that some in the communities who are interested in animals and cruelty to animals would like us to go."  
Yukon - The Yukon government wants to expand its animal protection laws and stiffen penalties for anyone convicted of animal abuse. The proposed amendments to the Animal Protection Act, announced Monday, would also boost powers for officers who are investigating complaints. The changes would permit animal protection officers to obtain warrants by telephone, allowing those in rural areas to act more quickly. Currently, animal protection officers who need to get a warrant have to do so in person. RCMP would also be allowed to enter homes without a warrant if they suspect an urgent case of animal abuse is taking place. Penalties would go up, with maximum fines of $10,000 and jail terms of up to two years. The current maximum penalties for violations of the act are a $500 fine and a six-month jail term. 
RUSSIA
Moscow - City Hall is spending $64 million to neuter as many as 50,000 stray dogs  because of a rising number of attacks on people. More than 22,000 Muscovites were bitten last year, a rate of 60 a day. One-third of these were hospitalized with severe injuries, and more than 90 percent were inoculated for rabies, according to the Federal Consumer Protection Service.
SCOTLAND -
Glasgow - a proposed change to current  law would make owners could be liable to pay up to ?5,000 in compensation for injury or damage. In the most serious cases they could face an unlimited fine and up to two years in jail. The orders could require measures like muzzling, re-homing, and owners attending mandatory dog-training courses.
SWITZERLAND -
Catch and Release fishing will be banned in Switzerland from next year, it was revealed this week.  And anglers in the country will have to demonstrate their expertise by taking a course on humane methods of catching fish, under new legislation outlined by the Bundesrat - the Swiss Federal Parliament. The new legislation states that fish caught should be killed immediately following their capture, with a sharp blow to the head from a blunt instrument. Under the new regulations, the use of live bait and barbed hooks is also prohibited except in certain situations. The laws come into effect in 2009 but while the Swiss government does not mention Catch and Release specifically, it does say that "it is not permitted to go fishing with the 'intention' to release the fish." 
Bern - All dog owners in Switzerland will have to take courses and pass tests if they want to keep their pets under legislation approved by the federal cabinet yesterday (04/23/08). An examination on how to properly look after the dog will be introduced in September, along with a practical test to demonstrate control over the animal. Initially, owners will have two years to follow courses but by 2010 it will be necessary to pass the theory exam in order to keep any kind of dog, whether it is a Chihuahua or an Irish wolfhound.  
UNITED KINGDOM -
Eastbourne Borough - Council bosses say they want to encourage people to look after their dogs in public places, clean up after them and make sure their pets aren't bothering other walkers. The orders, created under the provisions of the Clean Neighborhoods and Environment Act 2005, cover four different offences which are: • Failing to keep a dog on a lead in designated areas. • Failing to remove dog feces. • Permitting a dog to enter land from where it is banned. • Failing to put and keep a dog on a lead, when directed to do so.. The control orders replace the existing dog bye-laws. The additional provisions that have been made are as follows: • The area covered by the dog fouling law has been extended to include the Downland estate. • More dogs must now be kept on leads when walking in the cemetery at Ocklynge and the grounds of the crematorium and cemetery in Langney. There is also a new order which allows designated council officers to request that owners place and keep their dogs on a lead if instructed to do so. This order applies to all the areas not already covered by the dogs on leads and dog ban orders, and will only be used if it is felt that a dog is not being kept under proper control.   Effective April 14, 2008
Kent - Abandon your pet and face a fine of up to ?20,000 or jail – this is the message to irresponsible dog owners who dump their animals on the street. As recent RSPCA figures reveal that cases of abandoned animals are on the up, one Kent council is taking steps to remind the public of the cost of breaking animal welfare laws. This week, the RSPCA announced a 3.8 per cent increase in the number of animals it rescued because they were dumped by their owners last year, with a total of 1,602 picked up. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, people who abandoned or abuse animals can be sent to prison or be fined up to ?20,000. In Canterbury, the number of stray dogs on the streets is rising so rapidly there are fears the local sanctuaries may soon reach bursting point. Each year around 60 strays taken to the Lord Whisky Animal Sanctuary , Stelling Minnis, to be re-homed. Sanctuary owner Margaret Todd said: “The problem has got so bad that all the sanctuaries are full. And as we have a policy of not putting any animal to sleep we will start having to turn them away.”