UAPM: Legislation Committee

Legislation Committee News

House Bill 613

Sponsored by Representative Kortz.

An Act amending the act of Dec. 22, 1983 (P.L. 303, No. 83) referred to as the Animal Destruction Method Authorization Law.

Referred to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on Feb. 24, 2009.

This bill repeals provisions relating to the use of carbon monoxide systems:

No animal shall be destroyed by a carbon monoxide gas system
No animal shall be destroyed by a firearm

To read this bill in its entirety, click here.

House Bill 39

This bill amends the criminal code for certain acts of animal cruelty.

Passed though the House of Representatives with a vote of 192 to 0 and referred to the PA Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee on March 5, 2009.

It shall be a summary offense to commit any of the following acts unless they are performed by a licensed veterinarian while the dog is anesthetized:

"debark" a dog
dock the tail of a dog over 5 days old
perform, cause or procure a surgical birth
cut off the dewclaw of a dog over 5 days old

This bill would also grant authority to dog wardens to enforce certain provisions of the animal cruelty statute in counties lacking a humane society police officer.

Read the actual bill here.

Please contact Senator Brubaker to show your support for HB39:

District Office: 301 East Main St., Lititz PA 17543
(717) 627-0036

Harrisburg Office: Senate Box 203036, Harrisburg PA 17120
(717) 787-4420
FAX (717) 783-3156

mbrubaker@pasen.gov

House Bill 1254

This bill will limit the tethering of dogs.

Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on April 13, 2009.

It will be a summary offense if a person tethers a dog outside & unattended between the house of 10 pm to 6 am.
No choke, pinch, prong or other chain collar may be used.
Tether must be a minimum of 6 feet long or 5 times the length of the dog.

Read the actual bill here.

Please contact your state representative to show support for this house bill.

PA Canine Health Board Members Announced

On November 6, 2008, the members of the Canine Health Board were announced. Under the provisions of Act 119 (the "Puppy Mill Reform Bill"), the Canine Health Board is responsible for establishing guidelines for lighting, ammonia levels, ventilation and flooring (among others).

In December, 2008, the CHB submitted its proposed standards to the Department of Agriculture. The proposed standards were published in the PA Bulletin on January 17, 2009. Currently, the proposed CHB standards are being reviewed by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission for approval. We will keep you apprised of the outcome. You can find the CHB proposed standards here.

The following is a list of the CHB members:

Dr. Jennifer Muller (Canine Health Board Chairman), is a small animal veterinarian located in Philadelphia and a member of the PA Dog Law Advisory Board.
Dr. Bryan Langlois is a veterinarian with the Humane League of Lancaster County.
Dr. Karen Overall is a veterinarian who works as a research associate at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.
Dr. Ramsi P. Chaudhari is a medical director with the VCA Dunmore Animal Hospital.
Dr. John Simms is from the Burnt Mill Veterinary Center in Shippensburg.
Dr. Colin Harvey is a professor with The University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical School.
Dr. Amy Hinton is a veterinarian whose clients include Conodoguinet Kennel in Cumberland County, the largest dog broker in the state.
Dr. Larry R. Bason is a veterinarian in Lock Haven.
Dr. Patricia Thomson.

Let Your Representatives Hear From You!

One of the most important steps we can take is to let our representatives in Harrisburg know that the welfare of our best friends is important to us as voters.

To locate your state representative and/or to read proposed bills in their entirety, visit www.legis.state.pa.us. Phone calls and/or letter writing along with faxes are acceptable forms of communication. Simply state that you are a Pennsylvania constituent.