AR-News: (AK) Animal cruelty bill exempts dog mushing, pulling contests, rodeos

[Glickman37 at aol.com]

Bill tightens laws on cruelty to animals
HB 275: Measure grants more protection to domestic creatures.


The Associated Press
(Published: May 16, 2004)   
    
KENAI -- A bill headed to the governor's desk tightens Alaska's 
cruelty-to-animals statutes, granting more protection to domestic animals.The measure 
defines cruelty to animals, establishes minimum care standards and lays out 
procedures for investigating complaints and taking animals into protective 
custody.House Bill 275, sponsored by Rep. Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, also permits humane 
destruction of suffering animals that are unlikely to survive. "Alaska is far 
behind nearly every other state in animal cruelty legislation, and it is time 
to acknowledge that animal abuse is a precursor to both child abuse and 
domestic violence," Chenault said.Minimum standards of care are defined as supplying 
sufficient water and food to maintain good health, an environment compatible 
with good health and safety and reasonable medical care.Under the bill, 
complaints may be filed with public or private animal control agencies or 
organizations, the Department of Environmental Conservation, or a peace officer.Officers 
receiving complaints may apply for search warrants. When taking endangered 
animals into protective custody, officers would seek the immediate inspection 
and decision of a veterinarian, unless no vet is available. Reasonable efforts 
must be made to notify the owners of seized animals.Upon determination by a vet 
that an animal would not survive disease or injury, the animal may be 
destroyed. In the absence of a veterinarian, peace officers are empowered to destroy 
a suffering animal.Animal owners would not be able to recover damages for the 
destruction of the animal unless it is shown that the destruction was not 
reasonable.A provision of the bill specifically exempts dog mushing practices, as 
well as pulling contests, rodeos or stock contests.Cruelty to animals is 
defined as a Class A misdemeanor. Courts may require forfeiture of animals to the 
state and that defendants reimburse the state for costs. They may also limit a 
defendant's right to own animals for up to 10 years  

http://www.adn.com/alaska/story/5078237p-5005873c.html
 





















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