Two Anti-Sporting Dog Bills on the Move

Posted on June 7, 2012

Rhode Island House Bill 7663, introduced by Representative John J. DeSimone (D-Providence), would arbitrarily ban many common dog confinement practices used by sporting and other dog owners.

The bill would prohibit keeping a dog in a pen, cage, or other shelter for more than 14 total hours in a 24-hour period regardless of the size of the pen or shelter.  This bill would virtually eliminate the commonly accepted practice of keeping dogs in outdoor kennels, regardless of the size of the kennel.  In addition, the bill would prohibit tethering a dog for more than 10 total hours in a 24-hour period.

While the bill includes an exemption for sporting dog owners, it does not provide sufficient protection as it only applies to a dog that is actively engaged in hunting, training, field trialing, or while being transported to or from these activities.  The exemption does not provide any protection to sporting dog owners while they are at home.

House Bill 7663 has passed the Rhode Island House.  It now moves to the Senate who is already considering a similar bill, Senate Bill 2035.  Sportsmen and dog owners in Rhode Island need to contact their state senators today or risk losing their rights.  Visit USSA’s Legislative Action Center to find your state senator’s contact information.

Delaware Senate Bill 211, sponsored by Senator Patricia M. Blevins (D- Elsmere), would add commonly used dog tethering practices to the state’s definition of animal cruelty.  Animal cruelty is a Class A misdemeanor in Delaware.  The bill would:

• Prohibit tethering a dog for more than 18 total hours in a 24-hour period;
• Completely prohibit tethering a dog under the age of four months for any amount of time; and
• Ban tethering a nursing female dog if any of its offspring are “present.”

Senate Bill 211 passed the Delaware Senate.  It now moves to the House.  Sportsmen and dog owners in Delaware need to contact their state representatives today or risk losing their rights.  Visit USSA’s Legislative Action Center to find your state representative.

“Both bills could cripple sporting dog owners in these states,” said Jeremy Rine, USSA’s associate director of state services.  “The unjustified time limits in these bills will criminalize law abiding sporting dog owners and will do nothing to stop dog owners who are abusing dogs.  Both states have animal cruelty laws that already punish owners who are not properly caring for their dogs.”

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