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Maryland
dog bill is ‘killed’ in early stage
by Nick Mays
DOG
LEGISLATION planned for the State of Maryland, USA which could
have set the standard for sensible, non-breed specific dog laws
around the world was last week ‘killed’ by the Maryland
Judiciary Committee before it even made it “to the floor”
of the State Parliament for discussion and voting.
The public meeting and discussion of House Bill HB562 took place
on February 19th in Annapolis, where the Bill received widespread
public and political support. The volume of e-mails ands worldwide
support for the non-BSL law was noted and the Bill was referred
onwards to the Judiciary Committee for further discussion.
It has created a great deal of interest both within Maryland
and other US States, as well as throughout the world. Hundreds
of e-mails have been sent to Charles Boutin and his fellow delegates
who support the Bill by dog owners and anti-BSL campaigners
worldwide, offering their support for the Bill.
The hearing was scheduled for 1pm in front of the Judiciary
Committee. Although the turnout for the proposed dangerous dog
law and another Bill seeking prohibitions on dog fighting and
cock fighting weren’t great, the people who did attend
were mostly well-spoken and represented organisations. (Rather
than mostly private citizens or “just” dog owners).
Amongst these were the Maryland Veterinary Association, the
Carroll County shelter and also the American Dog Owners’
Association (ADOA), represented by Adrianne Lefkowitz.
Not approved
However,
the Committee decided afterwards that the Bill should not
be approved, although no reason for this decision was given
nor, under Maryland legislative rules, needs to be given.
Delegate Charles Boutin’s aide, A.J. de Rosset told OUR
DOGS: “I guess you can understand the shock that the
delegate and I both felt when we learned of the unfavourable
report.
Neither one of us could understand how a bill with overwhelming
support and no opposition could fail. It was then at that
time that we began trying to resuscitate the bill by working
to get (admittedly belated) media coverage here in the State
of Maryland. As of now, there has been no official reason
stated [by the Judiciary Committee] for the unfavourable report,
and any reasons I could give you would be no better than rumour
or speculation.
“There was no opposition for the Dangerous Dog bill,
and all questions posed to the Delegate were answered. The
unfavourable report has virtually killed the bill, but Delegate
Boutin is still working to possibly bring the bill to the
floor. At the very least, we are now working to better inform
the citizens of this state on the importance of this bill
so that it will easily pass through the General Assembly next
year.
“ What ever you can do to help this bill along would
be greatly appreciated, and the support of so many people
from around the world is both welcomed and appreciated.”
Councillor Charles Boutin, the sponsor of the Bill told OUR
DOGS: "I am extremely encouraged by the largely positive
response which the Bill has received, both here in Maryland
and further afield.
"When it was drafted, my colleagues and I had no idea
that it could possibly be held up as a worldwide example a
legialstion to counter BSL, but it is extremely gratifying
to know that it is so widely approved.
"Now we must hope that the Bill passes through the legislative
programme and becomes law.
There have been too many bad laws against dogs, which persecutes
whole breeds unneccesdarily. It is time there was a law which
not only protects the welfare of human beings, but that of
dogs also."
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