Politics & Government
Sen. Chandler Pushes Bill To Protect Dogs In Kennels, Daycares
This bill was filed after a staffer came into Chandler's office upset that her dog had been attacked at a kennel.
WORCESTER, MA—After Sen. Harriette Chandler learned of an incident in 2015 where a four-month old named Bella died in the care of Collinswood K9 Services in Auburn, she became more highly aware of the legislature protecting those who entrust their pets to kennels and boarding facilities.
She points out that Bella's case isn't necessarily uncommon, as she was left unsupervised in an outdoor kennel with eight other dogs, when at least one attacked her.
Chandler originally filed a petition in January of this year accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 406, along with James M. Cantwell, Jason M. Lewis, Lori A. Ehrlich and other members of the General Court for legislation to protect dogs at boarding kennels and daycare facilities.
The act, if passed, reads:
The Department shall promulgate rules and regulations for boarding kennels and daycare facilities for dogs, including home-based kennels and daycare facilities, including, but not limited to staff qualifications and development, provider/dog ratios and interaction, group sizes and supervision, minimum housing and care requirements, indoor and outdoor physical facility requirements, utilities, dog handling, body language interpretation, breed familiarity, emergency response training, insurance, and penalties for violation thereof.
“We originally filed our kennel bill when a staffer came into the office, distraught after their dog had been attacked due to lack of supervision," said Chandler. "After consulting with the MSPCA and reading of some other stories, we discovered that there are essentially no standards for supervision in kennels – and this is an unacceptable situation.”
Chandler submitted testimony for the bill’s hearing on Sept. 12:
I write to you in support of Senate Bill S.406 and House Bill H.407, Acts Protecting Dogs at Boarding Kennels and Daycare Facilities.
Approximately forty percent of U.S. households own at least one dog. As the law currently stands in Massachusetts, kennels are licensed locally and are not subject to any substantial state requirements. Pet owners should feel safe and secure leaving their furry family members at local kennels, and standards promulgated at a state level will allow owners to feel safer in boarding their pets.
As reported by the Telegram, a 4-month-old golden retriever named Bella died in the care of Collinswood K-9 Services of Auburn, MA in 2015. Bella was left unsupervised in an outdoor kennel containing eight other dogs at least one of which attacked her. Bella’s case is not uncommon, and there are many other reports of harm befalling dogs that have been left at businesses lacking adequate staff and facilities.
I believe that this bill is necessary to ensure that consumers and their pets are protected. Long trips place substantial stress on pets, and consumers should be secure in the knowledge that their furry family members will be properly cared for while they are away. Standardized facility and staff requirements are needed to be certain that pets are receiving the level of care and comfort they deserve across the state.
Chandler and co-signers of the bill now await for the committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture make its decision so it can come to a vote on the Senate floor.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
