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The 2005 Oregon Legislative Session has ended for the year. Here's a wrap up of how animal welfare bills did this session. You can find more information on these bills via the Capitol On Ramp website.
Outcome of the following bills:
- SB 1052 and HB 2552: Authorizes Department of Public Safety Standards and Training to appoint and commission humane special agents
- HB 2759: Creates a pilot program that allows people to use dogs to hunt or pursue cougars
- HB 2813: Reclassifies certain crimes against animals to double the maximum fine when the crime is committed on premises with 8 or more animals, including the victim
- SB 246: Requires certain public/private officials report suspected animal abuse
- SB 262: Extends exemption from public records disclosure law for records that identify people engaged in or supporting research on animals (other than rodents) at OHSU
- SB 383: Allows students to refuse to participate in animal dissection
- SB 556: Changes veterinarian duty to supply evidence of inoculation when vaccination animal against rabies
- SB 641: Creates crime of possessing dog fighting paraphernalia
- SB 844: Increases penalty for keeping a dog who bites (aka dangerous dog bill)
- SB 861: Creates crime of force feeding birds
- SB 889: Prohibits live greyhound racing
- SB 929: Prohibits the Oregon Racing Commission from granting a race met license to certain applicants
SB 1052 and HB 2552
OHS strongly supported SB 1052 and HB 2552.
Senate Bill 1052 and House Bill 2552 created the position of Humane Special Agent in Oregon law. Peace Officers specializing in the enforcement of criminal laws relating to animal welfare is not new in the State of Oregon:
Since 1868, when the Oregon Humane Society was founded, Humane Investigators have been providing expertise in the investigation and prosecution of animal welfare crimes. Under current law the Governor of Oregon can, and has, commissioned Special Agents to provide this service to the State. However, the current law is not specific to animal welfare crimes and does not address the appropriate professional standards for training and certification.
SB 1052 (and HB 2552) were necessary to ensure a stable program of Humane Law Enforcement in the State of Oregon. SB 1052 (and HB 2552) established Humane Special Agents as peace officers with the limited authority to enforce animal welfare laws. SB 1052 (and HB 2552) allowed the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) the flexibility to establish reasonable minimum standards of physical, emotional, intellectual, and moral fitness for Humane Special Agents. SB 1052 (and HB 2552) defined a 'humane investigation agency' and creates minimum standards for any agency that is able and willing to bear the cost and responsibility of creating a humane law enforcement department. SB 1052 (and HB 2552) did not impact the budget of any state, county, or city agency as it requires the costs of training Humane Special Agents to be borne by the humane investigation agency employing them. The Oregon Humane Society, working with and at the request of Governor Kulongoski, drafted SB 1052 (and HB 2552) to ensure that all animals in the State of Oregon continue to be protected from abuse and neglect.
Both bills did not make it past the Oregon House of Representatives. However, Governor Kulongoski renewed OHS's three Humane Officers' Special Agent Commission so they can continue to enforce Oregon's tough animal welfare laws.
HB 2759
OHS opposed HB 2759. The cougar bill was introduced with 50 co-sponsors, over half of the Oregon Legislature. We were disappointed to see that several animal friendly legislators had co-sponsored this bill. HB 2759 reinstated hound hunting of cougars in ten counties. This bill is not about public safety or damage control, it's about the ability of trophy hunters to use dogs to hunt and chase cougars for sport. This bill undermined the will of the people of Oregon, who expressed themselves twice on this issue.
No action was taken on this bill.
HB 2813
OHS supported HB 2813. It reclassified certain crimes against animals to double the fine when the crime is committed as part of a criminal episode involving 8 or more animals. OHS believed this provides a stronger deterrent to crimes of deliberate and large scale animal abuse, and supported this bill.
No action was taken on this bill.
SB 246
OHS supported SB 246. Expanding the number of public officials required to report suspected animal abuse will help curb the instances of cruelty not only to animals but to humans. Studies continue to show there is a link between animal cruelty and human violence.
No action was taken on this bill.
SB 262
OHS opposed SB 262.
SB 262 was signed into law by the Governor and will take effect on January 1, 2006.
SB 383
OHS supported SB 383. We believe children and families should have some say in which methods are used to teach a particular subject, especially when it comes to personal values regarding the treatment of animals.
This bill was not about the use of animals in research or about the rights of animals. We agree that physiology and anatomy are valuable courses. We also believe there are more options available now that will impart the same level of knowledge and competency without causing the death of an animal.
SB 383 requires K-12 teachers notify students that if they're uncomfortable with dissection for either religious, ethical, or moral reasons a comparable alternative will be provided. This bill does not impact higher education or specialized institutions.
SB 383 was signed into law by the Governor and took effect on July 7, 2005.
SB 556
OHS supported SB 556. Senate Bill 556 mandated veterinarians to supply a copy of the rabies inoculation certificate to the animal control agency in the county where the animal resides. OHS supported this bill since this provided information that will assist counties in collecting license fees and support the local animal control departments.
No action was taken on this bill.
SB 641
OHS supported SB 641. Dog fighting is a serious, violent crime. It is also a crime that is extremely difficult to prosecute. Dog fighters are particularly secretive about when and where fights are held, making “in the moment” arrests rare. Dog fighters are often involved in other crimes, such as drug dealing, illegal gambling, and involving children in these brutal spectacles of animal cruelty.
Having the ability to identify the specific tools of fighting dogs gives law enforcement another opportunity to bring these criminals to justice.
SB 641 was signed into law by the Governor and will take effect on January 1, 2006.
SB 844
OHS supported SB 844. SB 844 was an attempt to both protect the community from perceived dangerous dogs and to provide serious consequences for irresponsible pet ownership. We agree there should be a heavier burden placed on owners and more options for the courts to deal with seriously dangerous dogs owned by negligent owners.
OHS supported this bill, which will provide animal control with tools to keep the public safe from dogs defined as "dangerous." OHS was pleased that the breed specific language was removed from this bill.
This bill passed both chambers and the Governor signed it. No effective dated listed yet.
SB 861
OHS supported SB 861. This bill created a crime of force-feeding birds, with maximum $1,000 fine and creates crime of trading in force-fed bird products with a maximum fine of $1,000. Click here to read more about how ducks and geese are raised, and force fed, to create Foie Gras.
No action was taken on this bill.
SB 889 and HB 2842
OHS supported SB 889 and HB 2842. Dog Racing is Cruel and Inhumane:
Dogs are caged up to 22 hours a day. Although illegal, some dogs are still trained using live lures (rabbits, cats).
Dog Racing is Deadly:
Thousands of greyhounds are killed each year when they can longer compete or when they are not fast enough to make the track. Dogs are also routinely killed when injured on the track.
Dog Racing is Abusive:
Racing dogs are often transported long distances in substandard conditions. Recently, eight dogs from Oregon died while being transported. Trainers typically don't let the dogs out during the entire trip. In 1999, Trainer Ronald Floyd killed six dogs while transporting dogs all the way from Oregon to Florida. He had dogs jammed three to a cage-standing in their own waste.
Dog Racing is Illegal:
Washington, Idaho, and Nevada have all banned it. Only 16 states allow dog racing.
Dog Racing is Subsidized:
Greyhound breeders in Oregon get the same tax breaks as farmers.
No action was taken on these bills.
SB 929
OHS supported SB 929.
SB 929 was signed into law by the Governor and took effect on May 19, 2005.
