On Monday, March 24, four bills impacting dogs are on the agenda for public hearing by the Connecticut Joint Committee on Environment.
OPPOSE HB 6277, AN ACT CONCERNING THE ADOPTION OF ANIMALS FROM ANIMAL BREEDERS AND ANIMAL TESTING FACILITIES
This bill would:
(1) require “animal breeders” (any person who breeds dogs, cats, rabbits or guinea pigs for sale or transfer to an animal testing facility) and animal testing facilities to offer dogs, cats, rabbits, or guinea pigs that are “no longer needed” and do not pose a health or safety risk to the public for adoption via animal adoption or rescue organizations;
(2) keep the offer for adoption open for at least six weeks before any consideration of euthanasia; and
(3) provide legal immunity for animal breeders and testing facilities for any harm or defects associated with animals adopted.
The vast majority of commercial and research facilities have programs in place to ensure that dogs that no longer participate in breeding or research programs are transferred to appropriate new owners. Using their experiences with and understanding of individual dogs helps some facilities in selecting appropriate new owners to whom dogs are directly transferred. Others may already have relationships with connected or independent rescues or other redistributors to facilitate transfers. These practices are both permitted under current law.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes HB 6277 because animal breeders and testing facilities would be forced to convey animals to adoption and rescue organizations, which would likely enrich such organizations but, not necessarily be in the interest of protecting dogs’ health.
OPPOSE HB 6226, AN ACT LIMITING THE LENGTH OF TIME SEIZED ANIMALS MAY BE HELD IN AN ANIMAL SHELTER OR MUNICIPAL POUND
This bill would allow every municipally impounded dog, whether deemed dangerous or not, to be housed in a volunteer’s foster home after 90 days, pending final court disposition of whether to affirm an order to euthanize it or not. AKC believes that releasing a dangerous dog to a volunteer’s foster home that may not be equipped to ensure the public’s safety is short-sighted.
CONCERNED HB 6240, AN ACT CONCERNING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF ANIMALS SOLD AT PET STORES
Unlike other bills introduced that would eliminate consumer protections by banning the retail sale of dogs and cats at pet shops, this bill would prohibit the sourcing of animals from any USDA breeder with a direct or indirect violation of the Animal Welfare Act in the past seven (7) years AND require annual reporting to the Department of Agriculture on the origin of animals sourced, the number of violations and their nature. Indirect violations typically reflect administrative lapses, not animal care and conditions. AKC is concerned that a seven-year period of review may be unreasonable, impractical, and onerous. Additionally, this requirement may not be able to be met due to ongoing changes in federal agency staffing levels.
SUPPORT HB 6218, AN ACT CONCERNING QUALIFICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT AS AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER
This bill would disqualify anyone with a history of animal cruelty from being qualified as an animal control officer. AKC supports HB 6218.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Immediately register your opposition to HB 6277 and HB 6226 with the Joint Environment Committee by filling out this form. You will need to complete the form for each bill.
- Fill in the fields for your name, and select “March 24, 2025, 12PM” from the “Hearing Date and Time” drop down menu.
- Select “HB 6277” and then again for “HB 6226”
- On the right-hand side, select “Opposes”.
- Please select “Type In My Testimony” under “How do I want to submit my testimony?” to share your objections or select “Upload a file I select” to upload written testimony in PDF format. Then, click on the button “Submit Testimony”. Please be aware that all submitted testimony is public record.
In addition, you may speak at the March 24, 2025, 12PM public hearing in person or remotely. To do either, you must register by submitting these details before Sunday, March 23 at 3PM.
AKC Government Relations (GR) will continue to provide updates on Connecticut legislation as developments warrant. For more information on this or other legislative issues, contact AKC GR at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.