March 11, 2016
AKC Government Relations is pleased to report that this bill failed to pass prior to the close of the legislative session. We thank all those who reached out to their legislators throughout this session.
March 10, 2016
The Utah Senate may soon consider Senate Bill 253 which would amend the state’s tethering laws to prohibit any dog from being tethered outside, unattended when the temperature falls below 32 degrees or is exposed to wind above forty miles per hour or rain, hail or snow if the animal does not have access to an approved shelter.
Those who reside or participate in outdoor dog events in Utah are strongly encouraged to contact members of the Utah Senate and express your concerns with how this will impact safe, humane dog events.
Summary:
The AKC strongly believes that no dog should ever be kept in a situation that endangers its health, wellbeing, or safety.
Senate Bill 253, however, could directly impact field trials, sledding or other winter dog sports, and other winter activities in which dogs can be routinely tethered outside when the temperature is below 32 degrees, winds are above forty miles per hour or it is raining, hailing or snowing.
Many breeds thrive in cold temperatures, and keeping them humanely tethered outside, does not harm the animal. The AKC recommends that this measure be clarified to state instead that a dog should not be left outdoors in conditions where the health and safety of the dog is in immediate danger.
What You Can Do:
• Contact the bill sponsor and respectfully express your concerns with Senate Bill 253 and request clarifications to protect humane tethering.
Senator Gene Davis, Minority Leader
Email: gdavis@le.utah.gov
801-647-8924 (Cell)
801-484-9428 (Home)
801-484-9442 (Fax)
Address: 865 PARKWAY AVE, SALT LAKE CITY, UT, 84106
• Contact Your Senator (Enter your zip code in the box in the middle of this page).
• Contact the Members of the Senate Leadership Team
Senator Wayne Niederhausen, Senate President
Email: wniederhauser@le.utah.gov
801-742-1606 (Cell)
801-942-3398 (Home)
1-866-283-7751 (Fax)
Address: 3182 E GRANITE WOODS LN, SANDY, UT, 84092
Senator Ralph Okerlund, Majority Leader
Email: rokerlund@le.utah.gov
435-979-7077 (Cell)
435-527-3370 (Home)
435-527-3370 (Cell)
Address: 248 S 500 W, MONROE, UT, 84754
Senator Kevin Van Tassel, Rules Committee Chair
Email: kvantassell@le.utah.gov
435-790-0675 (Cell)
Address: 3424 W 1500 N, VERNAL, UT, 84078
For more information, please contact the American Kennel Club’s Government Relations Department at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.
AKC Government Relations is pleased to report that this bill failed to pass prior to the close of the legislative session. We thank all those who reached out to their legislators throughout this session.