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.
