CFA Legislative ALERT
Last Updated: Thursday, May 31, 2007
Fanciers;
The dreaded District of Columbia ordinance, called the "Animal Protection Amendment Act" is here !!!!
This is a serious affront to pet ownership reflecting the goals of animal activists who want to eliminate the rights of people who sell or own pets. In February we sent a "heads up" to Washington, DC area fanciers. The time to act is NOW.
A copy of DC B17-0089 is available.
- Mandatory spay/neuter of all cats/dogs 6 months or older unless a person possesses a breeding permit.
- The breeding permit means describing the number and type of animals and inspection. If approved the permit holder cannot exceed the number or type of animals in the permit. Anyone with ONE dog or cat "capable of breeding" will be treated as a commercial breeder. Fees are not specified so they could be extremely high as is generally the case when home inspections are necessary.
- The Mayor can revoke a permit and take away animals of any permit holder not in compliance with rules.
- Any "non-profit" that claims to be "concerned with humane treatment of animals" may legally enter private property and confiscate the person's animals. People with these powers would not be required to have any training. They need only bring a suit in the DC court, with sworn affidavit or testimony claiming the order is necessary. The pet owner would have no opportunity to defend the claim.
- Kennel and cattery standards are included; records and certain immunizations are required. Not all breeders or owners want or need to vaccinate cats for FeLV or FIP but these are required.
- The "guardian" term is inserted in the DC animal law. See the CFA guidance on the use of this term. In human laws guardians have wards and this sets up the potential of others challenging guardianship rights. The legal change may not be immediate but this sets the stage for eliminating the concept of pet ownership rights.
- Non-economic damages for "loss of society, companionship, comfort, protection, love, affection, and services" mean veterinarians would be subjected to new liability. The cost of veterinary care will go up. Economic and non-economic damages are also extended to anyone else who "intentionallly or with gross negligence" causes the death of another's companion animal.
There is much more including dangerous dog law amendments, guard dogs, animal boarding facilities and humane education provisions.
TAKE ACTION
A joint hearing of the Committee on Health and Public Safety and Judiciary Committee
Scheduled for June 6, 2007.
Council Chambers; 5th floor
John Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW.
beginning at 11:00 a.m.
TESTIFY at the hearing -
Persons interested in testifying must contact the committee no later than Monday June 4, 2007.
Contact - Paul Dionne at 202-724-8170, or email - pdionne@dccouncil.us
Request to be placed on the witness list.
SEND A LETTER
The deadline is June 13, 2007.
Send written testimony or comments to:
Ms. Cynthia-Brock Smith, Secretary to the Council,
1350 Pennsylvania Ave.,
NW, Suite 5, Washington, DC 20004.
FAX COMMENTS TO ALL COMMITTEE COUNCILMEMBERS
District of Columbia
Council Committee on Health
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,
Washington, DC 20004
202/724-8080
COUNCILMEMBER
David A. Catania (Ch)(I-At Large)
202/724-7772
FAX 202/724-8087
dcatania@dccouncil.us
Marion Barry (D-Ward 7) (co-sponsor)
202/724-8045
FAX 202/724-8055
mbarry@dccouncil.us
Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) (Author)
202/724-8181
FAX 202/724-8109
jgraham@dccouncil.us
Phil Mendelson (D-At Large)(co-sponsor)
202/724-8064
FAX 202/724-8099
pmendelson@dccouncil.us
Harry Thomas (D-Ward 5)
202/724-8028
FAX 202/724-8076
hthomas@dccouncil.us
District of Columbia
Council Committee on Public Safety & Judiciary
1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW,
Washington, DC 20004
202/724-8080
COUNCILMEMBER
Phil Mendelson (Ch)(D-At Large) (co-sponsor)
202/724-8064
FAX 202/724-8099
pmendelson@dccouncil.us
Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) (Author)
202/724-8080
FAX 202/724-8118
mcheh@dccouncil.us
Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) (co-sponsor)
202/724-8058
FAX 202/724-8023
jackevans@dccouncil.us
Contact your veterinarians to let them know about these ordinance changes. Contact friends who live in DC. Plan to attend the hearing even if you do not live in DC. Everyone who cares about preserving their rights as pet owners should be outraged with this unprecedented legislative proposal.
Out of 8 committee members 6 are either authors or co-sponsors.
Joan Miller
CFA Legislative Coordinator
To correspond with the CFA Legislative Committee, please send email to legislation@cfa.org
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