Yesterday, four dog-related amendments were filed to an omnibus economic development bill, H. 4789, that the Massachusetts House of Representatives is scheduled to debate and vote on Thursday, June 27, 2024. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages Massachusetts residents to review amendment text below for any concerns and consider AKC’s recommendations.
- OPPOSE AMENDMENT #133, ELIMINATION OF CONSUMER PROTECTIONS:
Amendment #133 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 #133. - SUPPORT AMENDMENT #192, COMMISSION TO STUDY MISREPRESENTATION OF A SERVICE ANIMAL Amendment #192 would establish a legislative commission to study and report on the use of service animals; investigate the presence, prevalence and impact of fraud, misrepresentation and other misuse of service animals; and recommend any changes to law necessary. AKC supports Amendment #192.
- REVIEW AMENDMENT #64, REMOVE DOGS FROM LIVESTOCK DEFINITION
Amendment #64 would remove dogs and cats from the definition of livestock. This bill attempts to overturn a legal case in which an agricultural town sued a resident to stop breeding dogs on her property. The town claimed that the kennel was operated in violation of its zoning laws; however, a superior court judge ruled that the breeder’s kennel was an agricultural business and exempt from the town’s zoning laws. The judge also classified the breeder’s dogs as livestock. Dogs are often considered livestock by farmers in recognition of their guarding, hunting, and herding functions.
- REVIEW AMENDMENT #361, PROTECT ANIMALS FROM CONVICTED ANIMAL ABUSERS
Amendment #361 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. It also would enable additional monies to be directed to the Massachusetts Animal Fund for the purpose of spaying/neutering and vaccinating homeless dogs and cats living with low-income families.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Massachusetts residents are encouraged to fill in this form to identify your state representative. Click on their name for email addresses and type “Oppose Amendment #133 and Support Amendment #192” in the subject line. Please note the town where you live and consider the following talking points for your email:
- 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.
- Characterizing dogs as service animals, when they are not, is unacceptable and creates challenges for those with disabilities to rely upon them.
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.