Legislative Fallout From Vick

[Renee750il]

Proposed animal abuse legislation



Animal advocates hope dogfighting and puppy mill scandals will breed tougher animal abuse laws. Here is a look at legislation already proposed:

Virginia: A bill was filed to add organized dogfighting as a qualifying offense under the state's racketeering law, which would mean tougher sentences.

_Georgia: A Senate-passed bill awaiting House action would increase penalties for dogfighting and make it illegal for a person to own, breed, purchase or transport a dog for fighting.

_Ohio: Legislation was introduced that would increase penalty for fighting animals and allow seizure of property to pay for caring for or euthanizing the animals.

_Indiana: Legislation has been filed to increase penalties for fighting dogs or owning fighting dogs and for attending dogfights.

_Oklahoma: A bill is being prepared to require regulation of breeders who have 25 or more dogs, cats, puppies or kittens.

_Pennsylvania: Gov. Ed Rendell has called for broad regulatory changes for kennels, including larger cages and mandatory exercise for dogs.

_Wisconsin: A bill was introduced to require dog breeders to get a state license, provide humane care and reimburse buyers for veterinary bills.

_Federal: The Senate passed a farm bill that included a ban on possessing, training or breeding fighting dogs and a ban on the import of puppies for commercial sale if they are under 6 months old.

[lakotasong]

Great! Can't wait to see more about these proposed laws and how they progress.

[RD]

But I just don't understand, they say exercise is mandatory but anyone with a springpole or treadmill (or any other contraption to exercise/amuse a dog) and a Bully dog on the premesis surely must be fighting them. So these high-energy and potentially DA dogs are to be exercised how? By walking on a leash next to a human? lol that's not exercise to most dogs. My Border Collies need OFF LEAD running to sufficiently exercise them, and if they can't get that then they need repetitive, constant movement like jogging on a treadmill or alongside a bike. Nobody suspects me of fighting them because.. well, really, nobody fights Border Collies. But if I owned APBTs people would be suspicious of me. This kind of legislation can easily lead to an increase in BSL.

Do these laws apply to "USDA" breeders (mills, usually) or to all breeders, even responsible hobby breeders?

I think it's bogus... It'd be lovely if it only targeted the dog-fighting scum but it'll hurt responsible people too.

[Renee750il]

Exactly, Grace.

So far, from the surface, Virginia's addition of organized dogfighting as a qualifying offense under racketeering is the only one that looks realistically productive.

[elegy]

Pennsylvania: Gov. Ed Rendell has called for broad regulatory changes for kennels, including larger cages and mandatory exercise for dogs.

this is actually old news. they've been kicking this around for ages, but there's been a lot of backlash. the shelters are crying wah wah wah they don't have the resources. the millers are screaming about it. sigh.

[FrenchKissed]

Again, we don't need "more laws". This is just more crap to over run the rights of the dog owning citizen. This kind of junk law only does one thing, opens windows for legitmate owners and breeders to be prosecuted for no reason. What we need is law enforcement and funds to CONVICT those that are guilty of animal abuse period. In GA animal abuse is already a felony, I am "states whitness" in a current abuse trial. We may NEVER get to convict the abuser because the DA doesn't have the "funds" and will plead out and the other accused person is on the lamb. If the law enforcement/lega system had been properly funded to begin with we would not be going on the *third* year and no punishment regarding this issue...the abusers would be in jail.

[FrenchKissed]

Originally Posted by elegy

Pennsylvania: Gov. Ed Rendell has called for broad regulatory changes for kennels, including larger cages and mandatory exercise for dogs.

this is actually old news. they've been kicking this around for ages, but there's been a lot of backlash. the shelters are crying wah wah wah they don't have the resources. the millers are screaming about it. sigh.

If they are going to pass it then the "rescues and shelters" should have to meet the same requirements. Sorry...a kennel is a kennel is a kennel, whether you rescue, breed, or board, all the dogs deserve a certian level of care.

[Renee750il]

Oh, it does more than that, FK . . . . it makes the public think their legislators are doing something in response to a problem and gets those re-election campaigns funded.

[FrenchKissed]

Originally Posted by Renee750il

Oh, it does more than that, FK . . . . it makes the public think their legislators are doing something in response to a problem and gets those re-election campaigns funded.

You're absolutely right...nothing like "appearing" to have done something and getting to toot your own horn, rather than actually getting down in the trenches and working....

[elegy]

Originally Posted by FrenchKissed

If they are going to pass it then the "rescues and shelters" should have to meet the same requirements. Sorry...a kennel is a kennel is a kennel, whether you rescue, breed, or board, all the dogs deserve a certian level of care.

agreed 100%.