Volume 2, Number 11 (June 17, 2011)

TOP NEWS

San Francisco, CA Pet Sale Ban. **PROPOSAL ADOPTED BY COMMISSION** A proposal for an ordinance banning the retail sale of pets in San Francisco was adopted at the June 9th meeting of the San Francisco Animal Control & Welfare Commission.  The proposal, and possible language, will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for future action. Read PIJAC’s latest PetAlert on the ban for more details on this issue. Click here to read a Pet Product News article about the proposed ban. Click here to read a San Francisco Chronicle article about how the ban would even include goldfish.

Los Angeles, CA Pet Sale Ban. **MOTION APPROVED** A motion to study and make recommendations on a possible ban on the sale of commercially bred dogs, cats, chickens and rabbits within city limits was passed by the Los Angeles City Council on June 7th. The motion also calls for the establishment of a program in which the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services would work with licensed pet stores to make shelter animals available for adoption at pet stores. The city’s Department of Animal Services and other in-city agencies are charged with evaluating the proposal and the crafting of language to implement it. Click here to read PIJAC’s PetAlert on this proposal.

BREEDER/KENNEL

California. **PASSED ASSEMBLY WITH AMENDMENT** Assembly Bill 1121 would allow localities to mandate monthly reports on dog transfers from pet dealers and breeders in their jurisdictions. Existing law authorizes counties/cities to issue dog licenses for a fee. AB 1121 would create a “puppy license” for dogs up to one year old. The bill provides specific licensing terms for both the new puppy licenses and the existing dog licenses. On June 2^nd AB 1121 passed the Assembly with an amendment supported by PIJAC that eliminated the requirement that all cities and counties participate in the program, instead making it permissive. The bill is currently in the Senate Business, Professions & Economic Development Committee awaiting further action. Click here to read PIJAC’s latest PetAlert on this legislation.

Illinois. **HELD OVER TO 2012** House Bill 1166 would amend the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act to define a companion animal hoarder as a person who is in possession of seven (7) or more companion animals. The bill also provides permit requirements and penalties. HB 1166 will remain in the House Committee on Agriculture & Conservation until 2012 as the Illinois General Assembly adjourned for the year on May 31^st.   Read PIJAC’s original PetAlert for more details on this legislation.

Nevada. **SIGNED BY GOVERNOR**   Senate Bill 299, which would impose new licensing requirements on dog and cat breeders, was signed into law by the Governor Sandoval on June 10^th. Unlike most state laws regulating breeders, this legislation mandates that individual localities adopt ordinances providing for breeder licensing. SB 299’s new specific standards prohibit the selling of any dog or cat that has not been microchipped and establishes restrictions on breeding, as well as enclosure requirements. Click here to read PIJAC’s latest PetAlert on this legislation.

Ohio. **HEARD IN COMMITTEE**   Senate Bill 130 would revise current Ohio dog laws by creating the “Kennel Control Authority.” The bill would establish licensing requirements and standards of care for certain dog breeding kennels, dog retailers, and animal rescues for dogs. SB 130 also calls for pet stores to provide warranties for dog purchases. This bill was heard before the Senate Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources Committee on June 7^th, but further action on the legislation was deferred to a later date. Click here to read PIJAC’s PetAlert on this legislation.

DOG/CAT

Illinois. **HELD OVER TO 2012**   HB 1080 would repeal existing Illinois law that allows for a dog to be declared “vicious” based solely on breed. As the Illinois General Assembly adjourned its 2011 session on May 31^st, the bill remains in the House Rules Committee until 2012. HB 1247, which provides new dog tethering requirements, was also held over to the 2012 session. Click here to read PIJAC’s original PetAlert on this legislation.

Michigan. **INTRODUCED**   House Bill 4714 (the “Pit Bull Regulation & Prohibition Act”) sets forth certain dates by which a person will be banned from owning, selling, breeding, or possessing a “pit bull”. If enacted, this legislation would completely ban the ownership of “pit bulls” in Michigan over a ten year period. HB 4714 has been assigned to the House Regulatory Reform Committee where it awaits its first committee hearing. Click here to read PIJAC’s PetAlert on this bill.

Michigan (City of Saginaw). **ORDINANCE SET FOR VOTE** An amendment to the “Dangerous Dog” Chapter of the Saginaw City Code would require pet owners to register certain dog breeds (“Pit Bulls”, Rottweilers, German Shepards, Bull Mastiffs and Presa Canarios). It would also limit the number of dogs per household to three (3) and sets restrictions on tethering. The measure is set for a vote at the Saginaw City Council’s June 20^th meeting. Click here to read PIJAC’s PetAlert on this issue. Click here to read a Pet Product News article regarding this ordinance.

Rhode Island. **SET FOR COMMITTEE HEARING**   House Bill 5690 provides guidelines and penalties for any person that keeps a dog outside tethered, penned, caged, fenced or otherwise confined without adequate shelter from the elements. The bill also grants the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals authority to examine and enter property where dogs are tethered outdoors. HB 5690 is set to be heard before the House Judiciary Committee on June 21^st (Room 205, Rise of the House). Read PIJAC’s original PetAlert on this bill’s companion (Senate Bill 140) for more details.

PET STORE/DEALER

California. **COMMITTEE HEARING SCHEDULED**   California Senate Bill 917 would make it a crime to sell, display, offer for sale, or offer to give away live animals on any street, highway, public right-of-way, parking lot, carnival, or boardwalk. The bill provides exemptions for cat shows, dog shows, bird shows and pet stores. SB 917 is set to be heard before the Assembly Committee on Public Safety on June 21^st. Click here to read PIJAC’s PetAlert on this legislation.

California (Irvine). **ORDINANCE DRAFT POSTPONED**   In March, a request for action was made to the Irvine City Council to consider a proposed ordinance which would ban retail pet shops from selling dogs and cats. The request originally called for draft ordinance text by June 28^th. For various administrative reasons, the deadline has been postponed until the September 13^th meeting of the City Council. Check the Breaking News page of the PIJAC website often where the text of the ordinance and council meeting information will be posted when available. Click here to read PIJAC’s PetAlert on this proposal.

Connecticut. **ON GOVERNOR’S DESK** Legislation extending certain pet shop licensee requirements to the adoption of animals, and creating an importer license requirement, passed the Connecticut General Assembly on June 8^th. Pet shops are to be exempt from House Bill 5368’s registration and notification provisions only if animals are delivered directly to the pet shop. 

Illinois. **HELD OVER TO 2012**   Senate Bill 1840 would amend the state’s Animal Welfare Act to provide that a pet shop charge a $15 fee for each dog and cat sold. SB 1840 remains on the Senate Calendar until the 2012 session as the Illinois General Assembly adjourned its 2011 session on May 31^st. Click here to read PIJAC’s original PetAlert on this issue.

New York (Suffolk County). **SET FOR HEARING** A proposed ordinance to ban the retail sale of puppies in the county has been scheduled for a June 21^st, 2011 hearing before the County Legislature. The proposal, which is violative of state law preempting local regulation that is inconsistent with the state Pet Dealer Act, would allow only allow pet stores to display or offer puppies that have come from an animal shelter or rescue organization. Click here to read PIJAC’s recent PetAlert on this issue.

GROOMERS

New York. **INTRODUCED** Companion legislation has been introduced in the New York State Assembly which would ban the use of cage and box dryers containing a heating element, “with the heating element turned on,” for the purpose of drying or aiding in the drying of a companion animal. The bills provide that violations shall be punishable by a fine between $250 and $500. AB 7502 passed the Assembly on June 14^th and has been assigned to the Senate Rules Committee. SB 5682 and SB 5702 are both in Senate Agriculture Committee awaiting further action. PIJAC has opposed the measures, but is discussing possible amendments.

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NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES 

 

Texas. **DIED ON ADJOURNMENT** Companion legislation which would have allowed for pet owners to collect both economic and non-economic damages for the loss of pets died in committee on May 31^st when the Texas Legislature adjourned. House Bill 3622 and Senate Bill 1500 provided that pet owners could receive non-economic damages for the loss of reasonably expected companionship or society of a pet. Economic damages of up to $5,000 could also be awarded. Click here to read PIJAC’s original PetAlert on this companion legislation.  

 

2011-2012 SESSION SUMMARY

 

To date this session, PIJAC has screened more than 8,000 pet industry-related bills, ordinances and regulatory proposals, of which it is actively tracking more than 1,100. Within the last two weeks legislatures in Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada and Texas have adjourned for 2011. Delaware, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire and Oregon are scheduled to adjourn over the next two weeks. This still leaves 17 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Congress in session. Click here to view a 2011 State Legislature Session Calendar to see when your state adjourns.

 

JOIN PIJAC AND BECOME EVEN BETTER INFORMED

 

PIJAC membership is open to all segments of the pet industry, as well as individual pet enthusiasts. Pet-related businesses, please visit the PIJAC website for membership information: www.pijac.org or contact Nancy Knutson, Director of Member Services: members@pijac.org.

 

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CONTACT US

 

If you need more information on government affairs issues, please contact Michael Maddox, Vice President of Government Affairs and General Counsel at: michael@pijac.org. For all other matters, please contact Mike Canning, President/CEO at: mcanning@pijac.org.

 

THE PET INDUSTRY JOINT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PIJAC) 1140 19^th Street, NW, Ste 300, Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202) 452-1525 / (800) 553-PETS, info@pijac.org

 

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