Animal Lovers: The ASPCA Needs Your Help

We don’t know exactly how many dogs die in hot cars each day, but even one is too many.

Two of the animal protection bills currently up for vote in Massachusetts would help reduce that number, if passed. The proposed bills would allow rescue personnel, such as animal control officers, law enforcement officers and firefighters, to remove pets trapped in hot cars. They would also let the officials cite owners who leave their animals in hot or cold cars.

Other proposed bills would protect homeowners from insurance policies that discriminate based on dog breed, take care of animals seized in animal cruelty cases and forbid the sale of puppies and kittens until the animals are eight weeks old.

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Massachusetts currently has 11 animal protection bills on the ballot, but not one of those bills has the support of more than two legislators.

In order to improve the animal protection bills’ chance of passing, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) encourages Massachusetts residents to reach out to local legislators. Politicians in Massachusetts have until Jan. 30 to support the bills.

The ASPCA provides a template on their website for anyone who wants to send an email to legislators urging them to support the following bills:

Support: Protect Seized Animals in Cruelty Cases (HD 347)

Sponsor: Rep. Linda Dean Campbell

This “cost of care” bill would update and correct an existing law that lets courts require alleged abusers to post a bond for the care of animals seized in cruelty cases. The legislation is necessary to protect the law enforcement agencies, cities, towns, shelters and other entities that must care for these animals, often for long periods of time, during cruelty prosecutions, according to the ASPCA.

Support: Ensure Adequate Care of Animals in Cities and Towns (HD 497)

Sponsor: Rep. Louis Kafka

HD 497 would require animal owners and possessors to provide their animals with veterinary care. More than 20 states already have some provision in their statutes requiring basic animal care, according to the ASPCA.

Support: Protect the Health and Safety of Animals in Cars (HD 1323, SD 1735)

Sponsors: Rep. Lori Ehrlich and Sen. Mark Montigny

These bills would give animal control officers, law enforcement officers and firefighters authority to remove an animal from a vehicle and cite the owner when extreme heat or cold threatens the health of the animal.

Support: Protect Abandoned Animal in Vacant Properties (HD 1367, SD 902)

Sponsors: Rep. Dave Rogers and Sen. Jamie Eldridge

These pieces of legislation would require landlords and foreclosing owners to inspect recently vacated and foreclosed properties within three days for abandoned animals.

Support: Strengthen the Enforcement of Certain Dog Laws (HD 1370, SD 1231)

Sponsors: Rep. Dave Rogers and Sen. Pat Jehlen

These bills would allow special police officers (employed by the MSPCA and the Animal Rescue League of Boston) to crack down on certain inhumane and illegal dog-care practices.

Support: Protections for Puppies and Kittens (HD 2126, SD 974)

Sponsors: Rep. Garrett Bradley and Sen. Karen Spilka

These bills would protect puppies, kittens and consumers by forbidding the sale of puppies and kittens until the animals are at least eight weeks old. It also improves the state’s existing options under the “puppy lemon law” for families who unknowingly purchase a sick pet and ensures pet shops only sell puppies and kittens from breeders who adhere to certain standards and don’t have significant or repeat violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Support: Protections for Homeowners and Their Dogs (SD 982)

Sponsor: Sen. Anne Gobi

This bill would stop homeowner insurance policy discrimination by preventing insurance companies from denying or cancelling insurance based on the breed of dog owned.

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