April 13, 2015
The Pennsylvania Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Wednesday (April 13) that would make several changes to the commonwealth’s consumer protection laws. The AKC believes that many of the changes in the bill as introduced are positive and would protect the rights of the seller and provide appropriate recourse for purchasers if there is a significant health issue with their new puppy.
Summary:
Senate Bill 22 makes several changes to the consumer protection laws, including:
- Changing the timeline from 10 days to 14 days for a dog to be determined to be clinically ill or to have died from an illness that renders the dog unfit for purchase.
- Changing the timeline from 30 days to 90 days for a dog to have (or have died from) a congenital or hereditary defect that renders it unfit for purchase.
- Clarifies that a dog may not be found unfit for purchase if:
- The dog has intestinal or external parasites unless the dog is clinically ill or dies
- The dog has an injury or illness likely contracted subsequent to the date of sale
- The dog has a health problem that is disclosed by the seller in writing prior to the time of sale.
- Requiring “releasing agencies” (shelters, pounds, humane societies, rescues, etc.) to provide health certificates to new owners that would include a list of all vaccinations that have been administered to the dog (if known), a record of any known disease or illness the dog is currently or has ever been afflicted with and records of veterinary treatment, and information on any parasitical medicine that has been administered to the dog (if known). The certificate must be signed by an authorized person from the releasing agency and include their name and address
The AKC believes the timeline changes are reasonable, and appreciates the clarifications on how a dog should be determined as “unfit for purchase.” These clarifications will protect sellers from being forced to provide restitution for minor, treatable health issues, or for situations disclosed in writing before the purchaser agrees to buy the dog. It also allows for recourse should someone purchase a puppy that is severely ill or dies from an illness or defect that the puppy had prior to sale.
What You Can Do:
Attend Wednesday’s committee hearing to express your opinion on Senate Bill 22. The hearing information is as follows:
Pennsylvania Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
10:30 a.m.
Main Capitol, Room 461
Contact the committee members and express your opinion on Senate Bill 82:
Sen. Robert M. Tomlinson, Chair
Phone: (717) 787-5072
E-mail: rtomlinson@pasen.gov
Sen. Lisa M. Boscola, Minority Chair
Phone: (717) 787-4236
E-mail: boscola@pasenate.com
Sen. Mario M. Scavello, Vice Chair
Phone: (717) 787-6123
Online contact form: http://www.senatorscavello.com/contact/
Sen. Joseph B. Scarnati, III, Ex-Officio
Phone: (717) 787-7084
E-mail: jscarnati@pasen.gov
Sen. Lisa Baker
Phone: (717) 787-7428
E-mail: lbaker@pasen.gov
Sen. Lawrence M. Farnese, Jr.
Phone: (717) 787-5662
E-mail: farnese@pasenate.com
Sen. John R. Gordner
Phone: (717) 787-8928
Online contact form: http://www.senatorgordner.com/contact-me/
Sen. Steward J. Greenleaf
Phone: (717) 787-6599
E-mail: sgreenleaf@pasen.gov
Sen. Arthur L. Haywood III
Phone: (717) 787-1427
E-mail: senatorhaywood@pasenate.com
Sen. Dominic Pileggi
Phone: (717) 787-4712
Online contact form: http://www.senatorpileggi.com/email-senator-pileggi/
Sen. John C. Rafferty, Jr.
Phone: (717) 787-1398
E-mail: jrafferty@pasen.gov
Sen. Patricia H. Vance
Phone: (717) 787-8524
E-mail: vance@pasen.gov
Sen. John N. Wozniak
Phone: (717) 787-5400
E-mail: wozniak@pasenate.com
Sen. John T. Yudichak
Phone: (717) 787-7105
E-mail: yudichak@pasenate.com
AKC Government Relations (AKC GR) will continue to monitor this legislation. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.
The Pennsylvania Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Wednesday (April 13) that would make several changes to the commonwealths consumer protection laws. The AKC believes that many of the changes in the bill as introduced are positive and would protect the rights of the seller and provide appropriate recourse for purchasers if there is a significant health issue with their new puppy.