There’s not much about my state government that impresses me, I’m not impressed with the Governor with the exception he’s very good about signing bills regarding laws protecting animals.
On June 4th of this year he signed H.B. 5844:
“AN ACT CONCERNING THE OVERNIGHT TETHERING OF DOGS OUTDOORS AND THE TETHERING OF DOGS OUTDOORS UNDER CERTAIN WEATHER CONDITIONS.
To prohibit the overnight tethering of dogs outdoors and to prohibit the tethering of dogs outdoors during certain weather conditions unless shelter is readily accessible to such dog.”
It’s not ideal, but it’s a start.
Tethered dogs are typically dogs that haven’t been socialized either with people or other dogs. They live their lives on a small length of chain. They have nowhere to run should an animal or person threaten them and their world is limited only to what their chain allows. Many times they are left outside in rain, heat and snow with inadequate veterinary care and many times they lack the necessary food and water needed to survive.
This little guy lives right on the edge of our park. He is always on tether and I worry that someday he will get loose and get hurt.
Recent studies show tethered dogs are 2.8% more likely to bite than non-tethered dogs with the majority of victims being children. This is not a surprise considering their lack of socialization.
As I said, it’s not ideal but it is a start. Our current legislative office also passed:
- a bill expanding benefits to pets in low income households
- a bill requiring euthanasia to be performed by a licensed veterinarian
- legislation forbidding municipalities from enacting breed specific legislation
- a bill allowing students to opt out of viewing or participating in animal dissection
- shot down a lottery for bear hunting
- defeated a bill allowing bow hunting on Sundays
The bill most important to me, banning the sale of COMMERCIALLY bred puppies and kittens was tabled this session and instead a task force was assigned to investigate pet shops and the origins of the animals they sell.Hopefully the task force will present their findings to the legislative body and a bill will be introduced and passed in next year’s session.
Sadly banning the use of pig gestation crates and provisions for a volunteer to advocate for animals that are the victims of cruel and violent crimes were not brought up this session. The goal is to reintroduce these for the next session in 2014.
One of the reasons CT is enacting tougher animal welfare laws is because of an organization called Connecticut Votes for Animals. This is a not for profit organization that is really being the change for animals in CT.
Interested in getting some animal legislation passed in your state? I bet CVA would help you get started.
Good for CT. We hate seeing tethered dogs! Maybe not every dog can have a cushy life but there are some things that are not okay, being tied out to pasture, left out in the heat with no shade or water, either tied up or kenneled, being left in a car in the summer! These poor dogs would probably be better off in a shelter waiting for a home which is hard and sad to say but true!
Great news! And while not where we need to be it is a start as you mentioned! Ok I have a question: what is a pig gestation crate? Wow, puppymills always seem to be that one point that politicians never wants to touch! It will be interesting to see where it goes.
Tethering is just not right. At least it is a step in the right direction. Have a marvellous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
Some of those things are good, but why do the animal rights people always have to go after the hunters? Most hunters are better stewards of the environment than the average pet owner, in my opinion.
As for tethering, what I would like to see is the animal groups get on municipalities to get rid of their “no fence” ordinances. In my neighborhood, we can have dog runs, but fence the backyard…no. Stupid and leads to dogs running the neighborhood at times and also some tethered dogs.
Way to go for CT.
Baby steps, but that’s better than nothing.
Have a good week Jodi.
xx
Well, that’s a start, as you said. And I’m right there with you as far as not being impressed with my state government/governor. I live in South Carolina, ’nuff said, except that we went from worst to not far from worst. 🙁
I especially like the law that forbids each city from having their own BSL. California has that law too. It is confusing and causes many bad situations when people move from city to city or even visit another place and find they are breaking the law.
Wow that’s so great Jodi! I didn’t realize CT was so progressive animal-wise. You’re right that its just a start, but still an example that I hope many states will follow.
I congratulate Connecticut on at least making a start towards great protection of dogs. I hope that other states follow suit. It hurts my heart when I walk or drive past a dog on a chain in the yard…I always want to stop, grab them and drive away…I don’t understand folks who think that’s acceptable
Wow, sounds like CVA has some amazing lobbying chops. Thanks for pointing up some real positives!
Have to start somewhere’s. Have a great day!
Good job, CT. I hate to see a dog that’s tethered all the time. We used to have one like that behind us when we lived in Bermuda. It used to break my heart. When they weren’t home, we’d sneak out and give the dog some love.
It’s nice to see some changes in the right direction for animal welfare. I blogged today about new legislation in San Diego as well.
My state legislature is too busy oppressing women and minorities to help animals. Oh, sorry. I’m a little bitter about the “work” that got done in our last legislative session.
The truth is, we already don’t have the resources to enforce the laws that we have. I think local animal control could do a decent job with what we have on the books, but because of the culture here it would take twice as many officers as we could afford.
You are right, it’s a start so kudos to CT.
If only Mississippi would catch up to CT! Basically we have no laws protecting dogs which really sucks but we don’t have BSL and many puppy mills and dog fighting groups have been busted saving many dogs. Maybe one day…
In my town, it’s against the law to tether a dog. I don’t typically see any, though it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
I got the email about the new laws too. I think my lazy ass neighbor got it too b/c both of his pit bulls are no longer caged outside. I haven’t seen them anywhere. I’m praying they went to a better home. But I have little faith in that 🙁
Nice post Jodi. I agree I hate to see dogs tethered outside for long periods of time. Small steps to a better tomorrow 🙂
It’s so great to see steps in the right direction, I just wish I was allowed to make all the laws, cos I would make it really cool for all the animals, like it should be – maybe one day…..
Wags to all
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Good news about CT. Hoping they’ll address the pet shop/puppy mill issue next in a positive way. Don’t let me get started on the swine gestation crates…
Definitely all steps in the right direction, although it sucks that the commercial puppy banned was tabled. Hopefully the task force will be able to prove the necessity of such a bill and it will be addressed next time around.
Great post for Blog the Change – it’s so important that we take the time to learn the current laws in our state/area, the laws that are being debated, and the issues that still need to be raised.
(And oh my… that pup in the photo reminds me of a fluffier Tavish. I am sad that his people don’t take better care of him.)
A.J.
Team BtC4A
It’s awesome to hear that CT is taking some steps for the welfare of animals. They may not all be ideal, but like you say, at least they’re steps in right direction.
Regarding tethering, I’d like to see it banned all across the nation. It breaks my heart to see dogs on tie-outs. Why have a pet if you’re just going to tie it up outside? I’ll stop before I go off on a long rant.
I see that the new law in CT prohibits tethering of dogs during certain hours and/or certain conditions. Let’s just hope that the violations are reported and that the law is enforced. I think sometimes people are afraid to speak up and call in when they see something wrong, either for fear of retaliation (even though you can usually make reports anonymously) or for thinking that nothing will be done anyway.
Call anyway, people! Report what you see! Nothing will ever change if we don’t have the courage to act.