The Vermont legislative session adjourned with two
very important developments for animal welfare. Bills to address animal cruelty and
animal overpopulation were both passed, and will mean significant improvements for
animals in our state!
The passage of S100, An Act Relating to the Humane and Proper Treatment of Animals,
had been a struggle for animal advocates for nearly four years. After lobbying
legislators, negotiating compromise language, mobilizing grassroots support, and
receiving help from key lawmakers like bill sponsor Senator John Campbell, the
bill was signed by Governor Douglas on May 19th and will go into effect on
July 1, 2004.
The new law will make sweeping, positive changes to the current criminal animal
cruelty statute. The new aggravated animal cruelty provision will allow for
felony charges even if the animal does not die from its injuries. For the
first time, minimum living space requirements are defined for permanently
confined cats. In addition, the forfeiture procedure was revised to mandate
a hearing within 21 days after proceedings are instituted. Other important
measures include doubling the minimum tether size for dogs, requiring at
least an hour of daily exercise, and better defining adequate food, water
and shelter for animals. Full
text of the new law.
Equally important was the passage of a bill to create a subsidy program to
enable low-income households to spay or neuter their pets for only $10.
Through a $2 surcharge on dog licensing fees, a special fund will be administered
by the Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets, and will allow veterinarians
to receive up to 80 percent of a determined standard fee for this voluntary
service. The bill also allows for the administration of an approved 3-year rabies
vaccine. Full
text of the bill can be found in section 37 of the Fees Bill (H 772).
"The passage of this legislation is an incredible victory for animals and
animal welfare advocates in Vermont ," says Joanne Bourbeau, co-chair of
the Vermont Animal Cruelty Task Force and director of the New England
Regional Office of The Humane Society of the United States. "These new
laws will bring improved protection to the victims of animal abuse and
neglect, as well as help curb pet overpopulation and prevent the
needless euthanasia of unwanted animals."
|
