On Tuesday, the D.C. Council unanimously passed an amended version of its Animal Protection Amendment Act. While the amended and subsequently adopted version of the ordinance is currently unavailable, AKC's Government Relations Department has learned that the limit on ownership was raised from four to six animals.
The Government Relations Department will provide a full report on the provisions of the passed ordinance as soon as the text is made available. Please return to AKC.org for the latest in legislative developments; or, for more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
DC Council to Vote on Animal Protection Amendment Act Tuesday, July 15th
[Monday, July 14, 2008]
The District of Columbia's Council will vote on the Animal Protection Amendment Act of 2008 tomorrow, Tuesday, July 15th. The ordinance was first considered last week by the Council and was voted unanimously with amendments. Tuesday's vote is the second and likely last vote. Therefore, it is vital that all concerned dog breeders and owners in D.C. contact the council members today and urge them to address these concerns.
The proposal includes the following provisions:
- Establishes differential licensing for dogs. Under the proposal, annual licenses for sterilized dogs will cost $15, while annual licenses for intact dogs will cost $50.
- Sets up draconian animal ownership limit laws. If adopted as currently written, a limit on ownership of animals will be established at four animals. In cases where an owner has more than four animals, the Mayor is mandated to seize and impound all pets over that limit unless the owner acquires an animal hobby permit.
- Overhauls the District's dangerous and potentially dangerous dog laws. In describing qualifying behavior for both dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs, “serious injury” is not explicitly defined. Without a specific definition, disparate determinations will likely result.
- Creates the Commercial Animal Breeder License. This license will be required of any breeder who raises and sells 25 or more animals per year.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
All concerned dog breeders and owners in D.C. should e-mail and call the members of the D.C. City Council and express their opposition to the ordinance as currently written. You can easily e-mail all 13 council members by using one e-mail address: membersonly@dccouncil.us.
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Vincent C. Gray, Chairman, At-large, Dem.
Suite 504
Phone (202) 724-8032
Carol Schwartz, At-large, Rep.
Suite 404
Phone (202) 724-8105
David A. Catania, At-large, Ind.
Suite 110
Phone (202) 724-7772
Phil Mendelson, At-large, Dem.
Suite 402
Phone (202) 724-8064
Kwame R. Brown, At-large, Dem.
Suite 506
Phone (202) 724-8174
Jim Graham, Ward 1, Dem.
Suite 105
Phone (202) 724-8181
Jack Evans, Chair Pro Tem, Ward 2, Dem.
Suite 106
Phone (202) 724-8058
Mary M. Cheh (Primary sponsor), Ward 3, Dem,
Suite 108
Phone (202) 724-8062
Muriel Bowser, Ward 4, Dem.
Suite 406
Phone (202) 724-8052
Harry Thomas, Jr., Ward 5, Dem.
Suite 107
Phone (202) 724-8028
Tommy Wells, Ward 6, Dem.
Suite 408
Phone (202) 724-8072
Yvette Alexander, Ward 7, Dem.
Suite 400
Phone (202) 724-8068
Marion Barry, Ward 8, Dem.
Suite 102
Phone (202) 724-8045
Committee of the Whole (All Councilmembers) Clerk, Christopher Murry – Phone (202) or (410) 724-8196, e-mail cmurray@dccouncil.us.
For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
On Tuesday, the D.C. Council unanimously passed an amended version of its Animal Protection…