[ SHOWGSD-L ] MA<>Read the small print - "Bill looks to modernize animal control"

From: Stormy Hope <Stormy435@xxxxxxx>
To: showgsd mail list <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:58:35 -0700
This starts out with AC, and ends up with state-wide MSN.  This is a  
state that IMPORTS hundreds of dogs into Shelters and Rescues.  Read  
the comments that follow the article.


http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/top_stories/x1809787900/Bill-looks-to-modernize-animal-control


http://tinyurl.com/25ayn79


Stormy


"Bill looks to modernize animal control"



By Brittany Danielson/Daily News correspondent
The MetroWest Daily News
Posted Oct 20, 2010 @ 12:06 AM
Last update Oct 20, 2010 @ 09:22 AM

BOSTON —
Massachusetts animal rights advocates are urging legislators to pass a  
bill that would fix what they say are outdated statutes by  
streamlining the state's dangerous dog laws and enacting tighter  
requirements for the spaying of dogs and cats.

Kara Holmquist, spokeswoman for Massachusetts Society for the  
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said some of the state's animal  
control laws are from the 1800s and use antiquated language based on a  
county system of government that is no longer relevant. These outdated  
laws make it difficult for animal control officers to do their jobs,  
she said.

Cheryl Rudolph, an Ashland animal control officer who is also vice  
president of the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts,  
agreed.

Rudolph said animal control officers and municipalities often struggle  
over how to define or identify a dangerous dog because of vagueness in  
the existing law. The new bill would provide guidelines and establish  
criteria for determining dangerousness that would help separate truly  
dangerous dogs from one-time offenders.

Several cities and towns, including Worcester and Boston, have passed  
legislation restricting pit bulls and pit bull ownership, but dog  
bites have not been reduced because any dog can become aggressive,  
according to the MSPCA. For that reason, the new law would prohibit  
cities and towns from enacting breed-specific legislation.

"Pit bulls can be dangerous, but so can chihuahuas. We need to look at  
more broad ordinances," Rudolph said. "Breed-specific bans aren't  
going to work."

But the updates don't stop at dangerous dog laws. The bill, which has  
passed the Senate and is awaiting confirmation by the House, would  
also include measures to reduce the population of unwanted pets, ban  
certain methods of euthanasia deemed inhumane such as carbon dioxide  
gas, and set up a fund to train animal control officers and help pay  
for spaying and neutering.

The bill would require that all dog and cat owners, with the exception  
of licensed breeders, sterilize their pets. Only animal shelters are  
currently subject to a spay and neuter mandate.

The measures included in the bill would be funded by voluntary  
taxpayer donations. People interested in making a donation could check  
a box on their tax return. The money would go to a state fund to  
provide low-cost sterilization services for dogs and cats and pay for  
an animal control officer training program.

The program would reduce the population of homeless animals, saving  
communities money, Holmquist said.

"Even if you're not an animal lover, it's good for cities and towns  
and people all around," Holmquist said. "It's not perfect, but it's a  
start at making these laws more reflective of the world we live in  
today and gives animal control officers the tools they need to protect  
animals and people."

Representatives from the MSPCA will be at the State House tomorrow to  
ask legislators to support the passage of the House bill.

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[ SHOWGSD-L ] MA<>Read the small print - "Bill looks to modernize animal control"

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