TEXAS

Irving - City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that bans tethering unattended dogs any time, any place. Passed 11/01/07

WASHINGTON

Spokane - City's "dangerous dog" ordinance is unconstitutional because it denies pet owners the right of due process, a Superior Court judge ruled Friday (11/30/07) in a case that may have far-reaching effects.

WASHINGTON, DC.

Washington, D.C.- Public Safety Committee sent a new policy, which allows adoption of pit bulls but attaches breed-specific guidelines, forward to the full board with no recommendation. Before May 2007 all pitbulls not claimed by owner were euthanized. May 2007 the Virginia attorney general's opinion that breed-specific euthanasia violates state law, so the shelter has set up procedures to transfer pit bulls to approved breed rescue groups, and has euthanized based on the animal's score on a temperament test. A majority of the "supervisor-appointed" Animal Advisory Committee members wants the policy to have no mention of any breed. The policy recommended by Animal Care and Control Director Tom Koenig and his staff lists breeds "known to be used to illegal activities" and puts tight controls on who can adopt them.

WISCONSIN

Madison - AB 567 Amendments:

1. The '8 breeding females' benchmark in the definition of a 'commercial breeder' has been removed and the number of dogs sold in a year has been changed to 50. Thus, now only those who sell 50 or more dogs in a calendar year are covered by the licensure portion of the bill.

2. The 'puppy lemon law' portion of the legislation has been modified. Specifically, the substitute amendment now allows for the seller of the puppy to provide a list of potential breed specific or individual puppy specific health issues/problems associated with that dog or breed. If a purchaser receives this list provided by the seller, they would then NOT be eligible for a right to remedy for these issues laid out before the sale by the seller.

3. Under the substitute amendment draft, the seller would have the right to a second opinion from a veterinarian of their own choosing prior to providing a remedy.

4. The draft clarifies that no communicable disease the puppy gets after leaving the care of the seller is not eligible for a right to remedy. Likewise, any action or inaction by the purchaser causing damage or harm to the health of the animal is specifically exempt from the right to remedy. text available upon request

Madison - SB308 Amendments:

1. The '8 breeding females' benchmark in the definition of a 'commercial breeder' has been removed and the number of dogs sold in a year has been changed to 50. Thus, now only those who sell 50 or more dogs in a calendar year are covered by the licensure portion of the bill.

2. The 'puppy lemon law' portion of the legislation has been modified. Specifically, the substitute amendment now allows for the seller of the puppy to provide a list of potential breed specific or individual puppy specific health issues/problems associated with that dog or breed. If a purchaser receives this list provided by the seller, they would then NOT be eligible for a right to remedy for these issues laid out before the sale by the seller.

3. Under the substitute amendment draft, the seller would have the right to a second opinion from a veterinarian of their own choosing prior to providing a remedy.

4. The draft clarifies that no communicable disease the puppy gets after leaving the care of the seller is not eligible for a right to remedy. Likewise, any action or inaction by the purchaser causing damage or harm to the health of the animal is specifically exempt from the right to remedy. text available upon request

Menomonee Falls - village board seems to be focused on a limit law for no apparent reason. So far the village attorney seems to be taking the easy route by merely adopting the ordinance from an adjoining village. There is a question regarding grand father clauses, and/or fancier licenses