Legislation

MPCA Legislative Chair - Linda Witouski

Legislative news found here has been obtained from various sources. The MPCA does not guarantee the accuracy of the information.

AKC Launches New Canine Legislation Tracking System

[May 7, 2009]

The AKC is pleased to announce the launch of the new AKC Government Relations Legislation Tracking Service. This new service enables you to check the status of all 2009 canine legislation in each of the 50 states, as well as federal legislation.

To use this service, go to the AKC Government Relations web page, www.akc.org/canine_legislation and click on the large “AKC Government Relations 2009 Legislation Tracking” icon. This will bring you to a new page with a clickable map of the United States. To view federal legislation, click on the “US Fed” icon to the right of the map. You can also click on any state to view that state’s pending canine legislation, the latest legislative developments, the progress of specific bills, and, if applicable, AKC legislative alerts and messages. In addition, you can view the actual text of the bill or read a brief official legislative summary.

The AKC does not have a position on every bill posted; rather, this service is meant as a reference tool for you to see all the issues being considered in your state.

We hope you will enjoy using this new service of the AKC Government Relations Department.

Any questions or comments regarding this new service should be directed to the AKC Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.

Sources:

Linda Witouski / Ken Sondej- The Monthly National Legislation Report
NBCA (National Breed Clubs Alliance) is a national alliance dedicated to preserving cropped
and docked breeds, their traditions, purpose and standards.
The NAIA Trust site gives information on current issues and legislation, state officials, etc.
NAIA Trust -- For the protection of animals, animal owners, and animal enterprises
National Animal Interest Alliance
AKC Legislative Alerts
Dogwatch - your source for information on breed specific legislation
Paws4Laws

Legislation Reports

Monthly legislation reports are provided by Linda D. Witouski (dropfred13@aol.com) & Ken Sondej (4winds@viawest.net) . These reports list dog legislation by state. To view the current monthly report, please visit their website at http://mnlreport.typepad.com/ .

The Report will begin sending out timely updates on legislation, meetings, urgent news & alerts with the December report. The summary of the month compilation and events will still be published, in full, at month end, for those who choose to print the Report for distribution to club members or organizations. Time sensitive issues & alerts will be sent out throughout the month. The Report is available to you, including the archives, at any time, by simply going to the web address.

Please take time and subscribe to receive automatic updates using your email address. By subscribing, you will also, automatically, receive the full report summary when it is published at the end of the month.

They would appreciate circulating the Report address and encourage you to share it with the members of your clubs, organizations and friends that concern themselves with any type of animals and their right to continue to have them.

As always, you can contact either Linda or Ken with questions or information.

Some Basic Facts and FYI For You Regarding Noise Ordinances

It is imperative that YOU know the laws in your city, town, county, township BEFORE anything happens. With the current status of dog legislation running amok across the country, forewarned is forearmed.

Attorneys will usually recommend the following first: ( to he/she who is complaining about the barking)

If the situation doesn't improve after your efforts to work something out, it's time to check your local laws and see what your legal options are. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be better prepared to approach your neighbor again or go to animal control authorities, the police, or a small claims court judge.

Proceeding from there, just FYI:

In some places, barking dogs are covered by a specific state or local ordinance. For example, Massachusetts law allows neighbors to make a formal complaint to the town's board of selectmen (city council) about a dog that is a nuisance because of "excessive barking." The board holds a hearing and makes whatever order is necessary to stop the nuisance - including, in some cases, ordering the owner to get rid of the dog.

Similarly, state law in Oregon declares any dog that disturbs someone with "frequent or prolonged noises" is a public nuisance. The county investigates complaints.

Keeping a dog whose barking is a nuisance may even be a minor criminal offense. A woman in Connecticut, for example, was convicted of violating a local law that prohibited keeping a dog that was an "annoyance to any sick person residing in the immediate vicinity." The neighbor who complained suffered from migraine headaches. The penalty for a first offense was a fine of up to $100, up to 30 days in jail or both.

If there's no law aimed specifically at dogs, a general nuisance or noise ordinance will make the owner responsible. Local law may forbid loud noise after 10 p.m., for example, or prohibit any "unreasonable" noise. And someone who allows a dog to bark, after numerous warnings from police, may be arrested for disturbing the peace.

A Tennessee judge imposed a fine of $6,200 on a man whose dogs - up to 19 of them, at times - disturbed his neighbors. The steep fine came after the dog owner said, in court, that he didn't care what the neighbors said. One of those cases where you open mouth and insert citation.

To find out what the law is where you live, go online or to a law library and check the state statutes and city or county ordinances yourself. Look up "noise," "dogs," "animals" or "nuisance." You can probably also find out about local laws by calling the local animal control agency or city attorney.

Just some FYI for you all. It's getting pretty rough out here !!!

Linda Witouski