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MFOA Bill Protecting Animals in Unattended Vehicles Passes! |
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Written by MFOA
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Sunday, 19 June 2011 |
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MFOA bill protecting animals in unattended vehicles passes!
 Great news! LD 850, "An Act To Improve the Protection of Animals," has passed as amended by the legislature and signed by the Governor. Just in time for summer!
This bill offers better protection for animals in distress left in enclosed vehicles - especially important this time of year.
Now, in addition to animal control officers, police officers and humane agents, other "peace officers"
such as first responders, fire fighters and licensed security guards,
will also be able to remove a distressed animal from a motor vehicle.
This is an important step
forward as often animal control officers cover more than one town or
only work part time, resulting in delayed response time that can be deadly for a dog (or any animal) locked in a hot vehicle.
L.D. 850 originally included language to move "vending licensing" (aimed at backyard breeders) from the Animal Welfare Program
to the municipalities, to increase the penalties for vendor licensing
non-compliance (aimed at backyard breeders), and more specific language
regarding dogs in open vehicles (particularly in the back of pick-up
trucks), but those sections were not accepted by the Committee. However,
this important part of the bill which increases the ability to rescue
animals under duress in unattended vehicles did pass.
A study
by the Animal Protection Institute showed that even moderately warm
temperatures outside can quickly lead to deadly temperatures inside a
closed vehicle.
The passage of LD 850 provides more options to
help an animal
that may be in a life/death situation on a hot summer day. Make a copy
of the new law and keep it in your glovebox to show a first responder or
animal owner when needed.
Our
appreciation to Sen. Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick for sponsoring this
bill. A special appreciation to Sen. Elizabeth Schneider of Orono, an
Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation Committee member, who spoke up in
strong support of the amended bill. MFOA thanks these two Senators for
their efforts on behalf of Maine's companion animals.
Help us to continue to stand up for animals that cannot speak for themselves.
It
costs money to educate the legislators, public and media, as it does to
advocate and lobby. Please donate today. Our success in passing
successful legislation is in large part due to having the funding to get
the message out. Please help with a donation, large or small.
Click here to DONATE
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January 2011