Municipal Animal Shelter Standards Bill Approved By State House

WALLINGFORD, CT — The state House of Representatives this week approved a bill updating regulations governing municipal animal shelters, including a new requirement to keep the temperature at shelters at least 50 and under 80 degrees Fahrenheit for the protection of both staff and animals.

The house also approved a bill on holding animal abusers accountable.

The bills were introduced by State Representatives Craig Fishbein (R-Wallingford) and Dorinda Borer (D-West Haven).

Fishbein and state Rep. Mary Mushinsky (D-Wallingford) both referred to Wallingford’s delay in responding to complaints of excessive heat in the town's animal shelter in their remarks in support of the bill regarding municipal animal shelters.

Mushinsky said the Environment Committee heard testimony from an animal welfare officer who spoke about the difference between working conditions in temperature-regulated shelters and those shelters that were too cold or stifling hot.

"Existing requirements weren't strong enough to force the cooling in summer of Wallingford's animal shelter,” Mushinsky said. “The decision to update the shelter took years after many citizen complaints. This bill updates statewide standards and will serve both staff and the animals well.”

Fishbein said that lack of funding wasn't the obstacle to updating the shelter in Wallingford, because the facility had a trust fund.

"Protecting those who cannot speak for themselves is one of our primary roles as legislators and I’m pleased my colleagues overwhelmingly supported this commonsense measure that will ensure every Connecticut animal shelter will now be properly equipped to maintain the health, safety and comfort of every animal,” Fishbein said. “This bill will eliminate confusion and align state law between private and municipal shelters. Last year, the Wallingford Town Council was forced to step in after concerns about temperatures at the shelter were brought up and the mayor refused to act."

The two bills approved by the house are:

• • HB 5575: An Act Requiring the Department of Agriculture to Revise Municipal Animal Shelter Regulations – This bill, which passed in the House today, requires municipal animal shelter standards that have not been updated since 1963 to create humane minimum and maximum temperatures, provide for standards on sanitary and housing conditions, and requires the Department of Agriculture to provide the Animal Control Officer a report of findings of an investigated complaint within five days. Further, the report of findings must go to the chief elected official of the municipality. This will provide transparency and accountability at all levels.
• • HB 6714: An Act Concerning Cruelty to Animals – This bill redefines the crime of bestiality, requires that veterinarians report suspected incidents of dog fighting with the option of anonymity, and prohibits those convicted of animal cruelty from volunteering, possessing, or working with animals for five years from the date of conviction, so that someone who has been convicted of torturing or maliciously killing an animal cannot readily repeat those offenses.

"Protecting those who cannot protect themselves is one of our top priorities in the legislature, and these measures will provide stronger protections for animals while assisting law enforcement to track and identify abusers and hold them accountable for their heinous actions," Fishbein said. "I want to thank Rep. Borer for her advocacy on these important issues and I look forward to all of our colleagues supporting these bills and seeing them signed into law."

Borer said, “Acts of animal cruelty are acts of violence that should be taken very seriously. They are a marker for future violent crimes and have a strong link to other family violence. We read the stories and disturbing details and the public is outraged, and we as legislators are equally outraged. It is upon us to put laws in place that protect innocent, defenseless animals and hold those responsible for these cruel acts. This not a partisan issue, and that’s why Rep. Fishbein and I have joined forces to introduce these bills, and I thank him for his dedication to getting these bills passed."

The bills now move to the Senate. The legislative session must act on all bills by June 7.