Two dog-related amendments have been filed in the Massachusetts Senate to an omnibus economic development bill, which the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed last month. The Senate Ways and Means Committee favorably released its version, S. 2856, on July 8, when more than 500 amendments were filed. Senate debate and voting is scheduled for Thursday, July 11, 2024. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages Massachusetts residents to quickly review amendment text, below, for concerns and to consider AKC’s recommendations.
- OPPOSE AMENDMENT #206, ELIMINATION OF PET INDUSTRY CONSUMER PROTECTIONS:
Amendment #206 would require new Massachusetts licensed pet shops to provide the public with dogs and cats sourced solely from animal shelter or rescue organizations. Substituting a source of pets that provides purchase protections, like pet stores, with a source that does not, like shelters and rescues, puts consumers at risk. For these reasons, AKC opposes Amendment #206. - REVIEW AMENDMENT #147, PROTECT ANIMALS FROM CONVICTED ANIMAL ABUSERS
Amendment #147 would prohibit a person who is convicted of animal cruelty from owning or possessing an animal for a period of time determined by the court, with a few exceptions under specific conditions.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Massachusetts residents are encouraged to fill in this form to identify your state senator. Click on their name for their email address and type “Oppose Amendment #206” in the subject line or make a phone call to their office. Please note the town where you live and consider the following talking points:
- Puppies produced by purebred dog breeders do not satisfy the demand for puppies.
- Shelter and rescue animals are not the best option for every family that wants a pet.
- Exponential growth in the import of dogs, particularly from random sources, has resulted in recent incidents of dogs with non-native parasites and zoonotic diseases, including rabies, viral infections, brucellosis, and others, being imported and passed into the public.
- If consumers cannot obtain the pet they want from licensed and inspected facilities that are required to give pet purchase protections, they are at significant risk of online scams.
AKC Government Relations (GR) will continue to provide updates on Massachusetts legislation as developments warrant. For more information on this or other legislative issues in Massachusetts, contact AKC GR at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org; or the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners at info@massfeddogs.org.