2009 Oregon Legislative Session |
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Oregon Legislation of Interest to Animal Advocates
SB 304: Pets in Foreclosure
OHS Position: Supports
SB 304, backed by Sen. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Beaverton and introduced at the request of the OHS, would for the first time establish a clear process for placing animals abandoned because of foreclosure in loving, caring homes. Financial institutions that foreclose on a home, for example, would be required to provide minimum care for an abandoned animal and to contact the appropriate agency or animal shelter to take custody of the animal. While many mortgage companies and banks try to do the right thing, current law is unclear when it comes to the issues of animal care and ownership transfer.
SB 303A: Training and Certification Requirements OHS Position: Supports
The bill requires OHS officers to complete additional certifications after they have graduated from the Oregon police academy. OHS supports this bill because it sets high certification standards that are appropriate for the work our investigators perform.
HB 2470 : Puppy Protection Act OHS Position: Supports
HB 2470 The first hearings on the bill were held Feb. 23 by the House Committee on Consumer Protection. In addition to mandating minimum living conditions, the bill restricts the size of puppy mills to a maximum of 25 sexually intact dogs four months or older. It also protects consumers with a tracking system which give buyers of sick or deformed animals a way to recover damages if the seller did not disclose congenital defects at the time of purchase. Harmon said the law, like to be opposed by many in the puppy breeding industry, sets only minimum standards in response to a history of abuse and fraud by puppy mills in Oregon. “Legitimate breeders should have no trouble complying with what are the barest of minimum standards in this bill.” Legislative alert: more information here
SB 280: Enhances Penalties for Cockfight Spectators
OHS Position: Supports
SB280 makes being a spectator at a cockfight a felony.
SB 299: No Pets for Animal Offenders / Animal Forfeiture OHS Position: Supports
SB 299 would authorize courts to remove any domestic animal from the household of someone who is prohibited from owning animals because of past abuse or neglect. While current law already prohibits offenders from owning domestic animals for five years, a loophole permits the offender to live in the same house with a spouse or friend who owns an animal--perhaps even the animal who was victimized by the offender. This exposes the animal to daily contact with the offender and the possibility of future abuse.
SB 297: Increased Penalties for Animal Offenders
SB 298: Restrictions on Placing Victimized Pets
SB 298 strengthens prohibitions against placing victimized animals back in the household of a convicted offender. The bill specifically bars courts and animal agencies caring for forfeited animals from returning those animals to the household of the offender. In addition, new owners of these animals must sign a contract stating that the pets won’t be in contact with their abusers.
“We give two ‘paws up’ to the legislators who are the champions of these three measures (SB 297, 298, and 299),” said OHS Executive Director Sharon Harmon. The measures are moving forward thanks to the work of Representative Jeff Barker, D-Aloha; Sen. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Beaverton; Senator Ginny Burdick, D-Portland; and Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem.
SB 398: Extend Animal Neglect Laws to Cover Abandoned Horses
More horses are being abandoned today in rural areas or never claimed from boarding stables and events such as fairs and rodeos. Unfortunately, Oregon law that prohibits animal abandonment does not provide protection to equines. This makes it all the more likely that horses will be abandoned because of a dismal economy and equine overpopulation.
The Oregon Humane Society has rescued abandoned dogs, cats and other animals for over a century. Upon rescue, most are in a diminished capacity, requiring valuable resources to correct a lack of food, handling and suffering from illness or injury. Animal abandonment is wrong. SB 398 would clarify current law and support the position of many Oregonians who care and value animals.
SB 677 Ban on Pit Bulls OHS Position: Opposed
OHS is against this type of breed-specific legislation that would ban an entire breed of dog from Oregon. Broad-brush solutions such as this punish good dogs and good owners along with the bad. If an animal is dangerous, action should be taken in regard to the specific animal.
HB 2539: Fireworks Ban OHS Position: Supports
OHS supports HB 2539, which would ban fireworks in the city of Portland. Animals don't realize that the fireworks are entertainment, not danger. Many animals panic and jump over fences, and some even jump through plate-glass windows to try to escape the terrifying sounds. Lucky animals are reunited with their families, but others are never found. Some animals suffer serious injuries, or they're hit by cars or killed in other ways as they flee.
After fireworks displays, animal shelters report an increase in the number of lost companion animals. Additionally, many local county shelters which are already operating at capacity are often closed during holidays and thanks to declining budgets are woefully understaffed to service the communities’ needs.
HB 2574 Veterinarian Loan Repayment
HB 2496 Tax Exemptions for Animal Shelters OHS Position: Supports
Authorizes property tax exemptions for qualified welfare programs that benefit animals.
HB 2529 Animal assault, forfeiture
HB 2852 Pit Bull Insurance OHS Position: Opposes
Requires owner of pit bulls to purchase $1 million liability insurance. Changes elements for crime of maintaining dangerous dog.
Although this legislation has some good elements, OHS opposes breed-specific legislation. Broad-brush solutions such as this punish good dogs and good owners along with the bad. For more information about this bill and to sign a petition against it, visit the No On HB2852 Website
HB 3348 Authorizes OHS Agents to Apply for Search Warrants OHS Position: Supports
Amends Oregon law to allow special agents commissioned by the Governor (such as OHS Humane Investigators) to apply for search warrants. Currently, only police officers and district attorneys may request that a judge grant a search warrant.
OHS Position: Supports
The recent chimpanzee attack in Connecticut demonstrates the need to prohibit private possession of wild animals such as primates in Oregon. Last month’s incident underscore the public safety and animal welfare issues associated with the private ownership of dangerous wild animals.
Read the Oregonian's editorial on this legislation.
Contact your Senator and Representative
Harmon urged Oregonians concerned about animal welfare to contact their elected officials and voice their opinions about the legislation. Although letters and phone calls are most effective, email can also be sent. The Oregon State Legislature Website makes it easy to contact your elected officials with the following tools:
Be sure to mention the bill numbers listed above in your message. If your reside in a district of one of the four lawmakers mentioned above (Representative Jeff Barker, D-Aloha; Sen. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Beaverton; Senator Ginny Burdick, D-Portland; Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem), please mention your appreciation of their efforts.
To keep informed of future legislation and progress on the above measures , watch this Web page or sign up for the OHS Pet Dish e-newsletter.
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