In a stunning procedural move, Massachusetts House Bill 1948, which was a reasonable and non-discriminatory dangerous dog bill supported by both the AKC and the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs, has been replaced by House Bill 5092, a conglomeration of many anti-dog, anti-responsible breeder, and anti-responsible owner proposals. The American Kennel Club is not only deeply concerned with the many unacceptable provisions of the bill, but is also disturbed by the procedural maneuver used to deny the concerned dog-owning citizens of Massachusetts an opportunity to state their objections to the egregious bill in a committee hearing format.
Representative Brad Hill sponsored HB 1948, the pragmatic dangerous dog bill, this legislative session. That bill was assigned to the Joint Municipalities Committee, which subsequently sent to it to “study”. That action usually indicates that the bill will not be considered for the remainder of the session. However, on July 28th, part of the bill was recommitted to the Joint Municipalities Committee, which then produced HB 5092. Among the many problematic provisions to HB 5092, the most egregious include:
- Imposing mandatory spay/neuter of all dogs over 12 months of age; or in the alternative, owners will have to qualify for and annually purchase an intact animal permit at a cost of up to $500 per dog.
- Limiting the number of reproductive events per female dog to one litter per year, with few exceptions.
- Requiring the reporting of all sales of puppies to local jurisdictions.
- Eliminating the practice of humane tethering, without allowances for hunting or sled dogs.
- Allowing towns and cities to impose breed-specific ordinances.
- Instituting state-mandated vaccination schedules, instead of allowing vaccination schedules to be provided by, and in consultation with, a veterinarian.
- Establishing unreasonable nuisance laws that can result in the forced sterilization, banishment, or euthanization of dogs.
Legislative staff in Massachusetts has confirmed with the Massachusetts Federation that the House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling Committee currently has cognizance of the bill. This committee does not consider the policy of pending legislation. Instead, it acts as a manager of legislation, determining which bills will be sent to the full House for its consideration, and the timing thereof. Effectively, this means that at any time the House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling Committee will send HB 5092 to the full House for its consideration and vote, effectively denying Massachusetts citizens the opportunity to participate in the legislative process by stating their objections to the bill in a policy committee hearing!
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
It is imperative that Massachusetts residents contact the members of the Steering, Policy, and Scheduling Committee, and implore them to not send HB 5092 to the floor for a vote. Instead, encourage them to return the bill to study, or in the alternative back to the Joint Municipalities Committee for consideration and public comment on the policies contained in HB 5092.
Members of Massachusetts House Steering, Policy, and Scheduling Committee
Representative Paul J. Donato RM. 185 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2960 FAX: 617-722-2713 Rep.PaulDonato@hou.state.ma.us
Representative Joyce A. Spiliotis RM. 236 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2430 Rep.JoyceSpiliotis@hou.state.ma.us
Representative Paul C. Casey RM. 238 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2380 Rep.PaulCasey@hou.state.ma.us
Representative James B. Eldridge RM. 33 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2060 Rep.JamesEldridge@hou.state.ma.us
Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch RM. 167 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2230 Rep.AlicePeisch@hou.state.ma.us
Representative Denis E. Guyer RM. 443 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2460 Rep.DenisGuyer@hou.state.ma.us
Representative Tom Sannicandro RM. 473F State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2210 FAX: 508-626-0692 Rep.TomSannicandro@hou.state.ma.us
Representative James T. Welch RM. 43 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2030 Rep.JamesWelch@hou.state.ma.us
Representative Lori A. Ehrlich RM. 540 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2090 Rep.LoriEhrlich@hou.state.ma.us
Representative Bradford Hill RM. 542 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2489 Rep.BradHill@hou.state.ma.us
Representative Elizabeth A. Poirier RM. 542 State House Boston, MA 02133 PHONE: 617-722-2976 FAX: 617-626-0108 Rep.ElizabethPoirier@hou.state.ma.us
Massachusetts residents are also encouraged to contact their own state representative and express their vehement opposition to egregious provisions of HB 5092, and urge them to do the same.
