summary
Introduced
01/20/2015
01/20/2015
In Committee
01/20/2015
01/20/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
07/31/2016
07/31/2016
Introduced Session
189th General Court
Bill Summary
Relative to protecting puppies and kittens. Municipalities and Regional Government.
AI Summary
This bill aims to protect puppies and kittens by establishing new regulations for their sale and care. It prohibits the transfer of dogs or cats younger than 8 weeks old, with a $100 fine per offense. The bill also defines what constitutes an "animal" (a dog or cat under 1 year old), a "buyer," a "seller," and an "unfit for purchase" condition, which includes significant health issues or congenital/hereditary defects that adversely affect the animal's health. A licensed veterinarian can declare an animal unfit for purchase by providing a detailed written statement within specific timeframes after the sale, outlining the animal's condition and recommended treatment. If an animal is declared unfit, the seller must offer the buyer a refund, an exchange for a comparable animal, or allow the buyer to keep the animal with reimbursement for veterinary costs, with specific limits on the reimbursement amounts. Sellers can contest these demands by having a second veterinarian examine the animal. The bill also updates regulations for kennel and cattery inspections, allowing for unannounced inspections if deemed necessary and clarifying which parts of a residence are subject to inspection. Furthermore, it mandates the Department of Agricultural Resources to create rules for commercial and personal kennels with at least 10 breeding females, focusing on proper care standards. Finally, the bill prohibits pet shops from purchasing or selling dogs and cats from breeders who have violated the federal Animal Welfare Act or are not in compliance with state kennel regulations, with exceptions for animals acquired from shelters. These pet shop regulations will take effect one year after the bill is enacted.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (76)
Garrett Bradley (D)*,
Jim Arciero (D),
Brian Ashe (D),
Cory Atkins (D),
Ruth Balser (D),
Jay Barrows (R),
Jennifer Benson (D),
Nick Boldyga (R),
Paul Brodeur (D),
Tony Cabral (D),
Thomas Calter (D),
James Cantwell (D),
Gailanne Cariddi (D),
Mark Cusack (D),
Josh Cutler (D),
Angelo D'Emilia (R),
Marjorie Decker (D),
Diana Dizoglio (D),
Michelle DuBois (D),
James Dwyer (D),
Carolyn Dykema (D),
Lori Ehrlich (D),
Jamie Eldridge (D),
Kim Ferguson (R),
Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D),
Carole Fiola (D),
Bill Galvin (D),
Sean Garballey (D),
Denise Garlick (D),
Colleen Garry (D),
Ken Gordon (D),
Jonathan Hecht (D),
Paul Heroux (D),
Kate Hogan (D),
Kevin Honan (D),
Dan Hunt (D),
Brad Jones (R),
Louis Kafka (D),
Kay Khan (D),
Peter Kocot (D),
Barbara L'Italien (D),
John Lawn (D),
Jason Lewis (D),
David Linsky (D),
Timothy Madden (D),
John Mahoney (D),
Joe McGonagle (D),
Joe McKenna (R),
Paul McMurtry (D),
James Miceli (D),
Aaron Michlewitz (D),
Mike Moore (D),
Frank Moran (D),
James Murphy (D),
Harold Naughton (D),
Shaunna O'Connell (R),
Marc Pacheco (D),
Sarah Peake (D),
Alice Peisch (D),
Thomas Petrolati (D),
Smitty Pignatelli (D),
Denise Provost (D),
Angelo Puppolo (D),
Dave Rogers (D),
John Rogers (D),
Jeff Roy (D),
Danny Ryan (D),
Tom Sannicandro (D),
John Scibak (D),
Frank Smizik (D),
Tom Stanley (D),
Benjamin Swan (D),
Walter Timilty (D),
Timothy Toomey (D),
Paul Tucker (D),
John Velis (D),
Last Action
Accompanied a study order, see H4606 (on 09/12/2016)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/House/H1826 |
| State Bill Page | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/H1826 |
| Bill | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/189/H1826.pdf |
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