AMERICAN DOG OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

Organized 1970

“To Promote, Protect and Defend Responsible Dog Ownership”

Main: 1654 Columbia TurnpikeLocal Contact: Adrianne Lefkowitz, Vice President

Castleton, NY 12033Riverdale Park, Maryland

518-477-8469  Fax: 518-477-4034(301) 779-8898fax:(301) 779-2422

e-mail: 

HB 32 Status as of February 14, 2002: Bill is in the House - Recommit to Committee Environmental Matters

Veterinarians - Animal Cruelty - Reporting

House: Environmental Matters

The ADOA suggests that the bill be amended so that it is not mandatory for a veterinarian to report all instances of alleged cruelty or neglect. Some instances are better left to the veterinarian’s best judgement. When neglect is “benign”, or abuse correctible, the ADOA hopes vets can use their office first to educate their clients in order to make them better, more enlightened pet owners.

HB 510 Status as of February 6, 2002: Bill is in the House - First Reading Judiciary

Criminal Law - Animal Cruelty - Dogfighting and Cockfighting

House: Judiciary (Hearing: February 19, 2002, 1:00 p.m.)

The ADOA strongly suggests that the bill be amended to remove the language pertaining to “implements of dog fighting”, and especially remove all references to the equipment mentioned in the bill as first read, which is essentially a treadmill. Treadmills are used by many people to condition their show dogs, their working dogs, and their “plain ol’ pets”. People use treadmills in order to rehabilitate their injured dogs and in other, completely non-criminal ways. And of course, dog owners use treadmills in their own human exercise program! The ADOA does not want to see the criminalization of those who happen to own a treadmill and a dog. This may not be the intent, but it can be the result of this law. The ADOA is in favor of the other language in the bill that makes spectating at a dog fight a misdemeanor and felonizes allowing the use of property to conduct a dog fight.

HB 562 Status as of February 6, 2002: Bill is in the House - First Reading Judiciary

Criminal Law - Dogs and Dangerous Dogs - Owner Responsibilities

House: Judiciary (Hearing: February 19, 2002, 1:00 p.m.)

The ADOA fully and wholeheartedly supports this bill with the amendments that are to be introduced by Delegate Boutin on February 19th. This is an excellent bill (with its amendments) that provides better protection to the public from dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs while being fair to responsible dog owners.

HB 600 Status as of February 6, 2002: Bill is in the House - First Reading Commerce and Government Matters

Dorchester County - Dog Control - Penalties

House: Commerce and Government Matters (Heard: February 14, 2002, 1:00 p.m.)

The ADOA supports legislation that gives fair, reasonable, effective enforcement powers in matters of animal control.

HB 696 Status as of February 6, 2002: Bill is in the House - First Reading Judiciary

Criminal Law - Aggravated Animal Cruelty Associated with Domestic Violence

House: Judiciary (Hearing: February 19, 2002, 1:00 p.m.)

The ADOA supports this legislation and recognizes the coercive and debilitating effects of violence to pets on family members.

HB 722 Status as of February 6, 2002: Bill is in the House - First Reading Appropriations

Agriculture - Land Preservation Easements - Kennels

House: Appropriations (Hearing: February 20, 2002, 11:00 a.m)

The ADOA supports this legislation.

AML: C:\My Documents\ADOApositionsmarylandfeb2002.doc Last printed 2/19/02 12:04 AM

AMERICAN DOG OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.

Organized 1970

“To Promote, Protect and Defend Responsible Dog Ownership”

Main: 1654 Columbia TurnpikeLocal Contact: Adrianne Lefkowitz, Vice President

Castleton, NY 12033Riverdale Park, Maryland

518-477-8469  Fax: 518-477-4034(301) 779-8898fax:(301) 779-2422

e-mail: 

HB 32 Status as of February 14, 2002: Bill is in the House - Recommit to Committee Environmental Matters

Veterinarians - Animal Cruelty - Reporting

House: Environmental Matters

The ADOA suggests that the bill be amended so that it is not mandatory for a veterinarian to report all instances of alleged cruelty or neglect. Some instances are better left to the veterinarian’s best judgement. When neglect is “benign”, or abuse correctible, the ADOA hopes vets can use their office first to educate their clients in order to make them better, more enlightened pet owners.

HB 510 Status as of February 6, 2002: Bill is in the House - First Reading Judiciary

Criminal Law - Animal Cruelty - Dogfighting and Cockfighting

House: Judiciary (Hearing: February 19, 2002, 1:00 p.m.)

The ADOA strongly suggests that the bill be amended to remove the language pertaining to “implements of dog fighting”, and especially remove all references to the equipment mentioned in the bill as first read, which is essentially a treadmill. Treadmills are used by many people to condition their show dogs, their working dogs, and their “plain ol’ pets”. People use treadmills in order to rehabilitate their injured dogs and in other, completely non-criminal ways. And of course, dog owners use treadmills in their own human exercise program! The ADOA does not want to see the criminalization of those who happen to own a treadmill and a dog. This may not be the intent, but it can be the result of this law. The ADOA is in favor of the other language in the bill that makes spectating at a dog fight a misdemeanor and felonizes allowing the use of property to conduct a dog fight.

HB 562 Status as of February 6, 2002: Bill is in the House - First Reading Judiciary

Criminal Law - Dogs and Dangerous Dogs - Owner Responsibilities

House: Judiciary (Hearing: February 19, 2002, 1:00 p.m.)

The ADOA fully and wholeheartedly supports this bill with the amendments that are to be introduced by Delegate Boutin on February 19th. This is an excellent bill (with its amendments) that provides better protection to the public from dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs while being fair to responsible dog owners.

HB 600 Status as of February 6, 2002: Bill is in the House - First Reading Commerce and Government Matters

Dorchester County - Dog Control - Penalties

House: Commerce and Government Matters (Heard: February 14, 2002, 1:00 p.m.)

The ADOA supports legislation that gives fair, reasonable, effective enforcement powers in matters of animal control.

HB 696 Status as of February 6, 2002: Bill is in the House - First Reading Judiciary

Criminal Law - Aggravated Animal Cruelty Associated with Domestic Violence

House: Judiciary (Hearing: February 19, 2002, 1:00 p.m.)

The ADOA supports this legislation and recognizes the coercive and debilitating effects of violence to pets on family members.

HB 722 Status as of February 6, 2002: Bill is in the House - First Reading Appropriations

Agriculture - Land Preservation Easements - Kennels

House: Appropriations (Hearing: February 20, 2002, 11:00 a.m)

The ADOA supports this legislation.

AML: C:\My Documents\ADOApositionsmarylandfeb2002.doc Last printed 2/19/02 12:04 AM