Legislative Report 11-21-07 page 1

Legislative Report 11-21-07
Authored by: Ken Sondej & Linda D. Witouski
Ken Sondej - 4winds@viawest.net
American Kennel Club Legislative Liaison - Silver State Kennel Club
Legislative Liaison - National Pet Press
Legislative Liaison - Nevada Dog Fanciers Assc.
Director Government Affairs and Legislative Advisor - Adopt A Rescue Pet
Nevada Director – Responsible Dog Owners Western States (RDOWS)
Advisor - Indiana Animal Owners Alliance
Advisor to Clubs and groups in Southern Nevada, Arizona, California

Linda Witouski - dropfred13@aol.com
American Kennel Club Judge
American Kennel Club Delegate - Myrtle Beach Kennel Club - SC
American Kennel Club Legislative Liaison - South Carolina & Pennsylvania
Legislative Liaison/Staff Writer - National Pet Press/TDP
Legislative Chair/BOD – Myrtle Beach Kennel Club
Legislative Chair - Yankee Miniature Pinscher Club
Member: NAIA, MOF, ERPT, DSJA, DJAA, MBKC, YMPC, MPCA
Handy TOLLFREE NUMBERS - Capitol Switchboard
Here are some toll-free numbers for the Capitol Switchboard:
1-866-220-0044
1-866-340-9281
1-877-851-6437
1-888-355-3588
1-800-833-6354
1-800-450-8293
1-877-762-8722
1-877-762-8762
FEDERAL

Senate Could Act on Protections for Pets
This week, the U.S. Senate is expected to take up the Farm Bill - an omnibus agriculture policy bill that the Congress typically delves into every five years. If you remember, the House passed its Farm Bill in July, and there were two animal protection measures unanimously approved as amendments on the floor - a provision to prevent pet theft and abuse by prohibiting the use in research of dogs and cats obtained from random source dealers (known as Class B dealers) and a provision to restrict the use of live animals in marketing demonstrations of medical devices. The Senate Agriculture Committee approved its Farm Bill a couple of weeks ago, and the measure is expected to hit the floor today. The Class B dealer amendment is expected to be offered by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), and the live animals in sales demonstrations amendment is also likely to be considered. There are two other pro-animal amendments planned, and at least one amendment that we must fight.
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), the Majority Whip, is expected to offer an amendment to restrict the import of puppies from foreign puppy mills - an ugly and largely unknown facet of an industry we thought could hardly be any worse. This measure will require that any dog imported into the United States for sale to the pet trade be at least six months old. and the rest of the blog .... http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2007/11/senate-could-ac.html
STATES, IN ALPABETICAL ORDER
ARKANSAS
Arkadelphia - City Board approved on third reading and adopted an ordinance placing several restrictions on owners of pit bulls and pit bull mixes. They include a fenced enclosure, registration of the animal, implantation of a microchip for identification and a liability insurance policy for $100,000. It is estimated that the initial cost of complying with the ordinance totals $1,000. The ordinance also establishes a $500 fine for violating the measure, which also allows animal control personnel to euthanize a dog if it is not reclaimed by its owner. Passed 10/18/07
North Little Rock - Dog Ordinance revised text available upon request
Salem (Fulton County) - council decided to review other communities' dog ordinances to see what revisions could be made to improve Salem's own law. They discussed the possibility of outlawing certain breeds of dogs such as pit bulls to be kept within city limits. The city is trying to deal with the problem of stray animals at large.