Rhode Island Bill Would Prohibit Keeping Dogs Outdoors
Legislation in Connecticut Prohibits the Use of Tethers
1/29/09
A new bill in Rhode Island would virtually prohibit all outdoor dog kennels and represents a threat to sportsmen by giving the anti-hunting movement another tool to attack our heritage. Additionally, in Connecticut, two bills have been introduced along the same lines. Sportsmen and sporting dog owners are urged to contact their legislators in opposition. The Rhode Island legislation, Senate Bill 23, sponsored by Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr. (D- Smithfield) would prohibit the dog owners from leaving their dogs outside in a fenced yard or enclosure for more than an hour, unless they have an outdoor housing facility. Moreover, the bill in effect prohibits outdoor kennels by tightly regulating the number of hours in a day that a dog can be kept in an outdoor housing facility. This would destroy sporting dog kennels, many of whom utilize out door kennels. SB 23 has been referred to the Senate Constitutional and Regulatory Issues Committee. In Connecticut, Senate Bill 122 sponsored by Senator Edith Prague (D- Columbia) and House Bill 5798 sponsored by Representative Diana Urban (D- Stonington), would impose outright bans on tethering dogs. While the ambiguous wording of these bills offers dog owners no certainty as to what they are allowed to do, the bills clearly prohibit the use of tethers. Both bills have been referred to the Joint Committee on the Environment. According to Rob Sexton, vice president of government affairs for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, “These bills show government taking a legitimate issue and over regulating to the detriment of responsible sportsmen. Simply put, these restrictions are over the top and should be stopped.” Take Action! Sportsmen and sporting dog owners in Rhode Island and Connecticut should call their state legislators and ask them to oppose these measures.
To contact your legislators, please visit the Legislative Action Center.
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