July 25, 2024
Representative Connolly joined with his Cambridge and Somerville colleagues in the House to pass an animal welfare package comprised of five bills.
"As a Cat Dad and all-around animal lover I believe the Commonwealth has a responsibility to ensure animal welfare," Rep. Connolly said. "I was proud to take multiple votes today covering a wide spectrum of animal welfare issues, including protecting large mammals from exploitation by the entertainment industry, increasing kennel safety, and ensuring better data reporting."
Read on for a description of each bill.
H.4915, An Act relative to the use of elephants, big cats, primates, giraffes and bears in traveling exhibits and shows
This legislation prohibits the use of elephants, big cats, primates, bears, and giraffes in traveling shows in Massachusetts. The use of these animals in circuses, for rides, at fairs, and in other traveling shows subjects intelligent and social animals to abusive treatment and a life on the road, deprived of exercise and the ability to express even the most basic, natural behaviors. When chained and confined in small spaces and handled with pain-inflicting devices, such as electric prods and bullhooks, these animals can become dysfunctional, unhealthy, depressed, and aggressive.
Wild animals also pose a risk to public health and safety. Hundreds of people, including scores of children, have been injured by exotic animals used in circuses and traveling shows. Additionally, elephants can carry tuberculosis (TB), a zoonotic disease that can spread through the air, which puts anyone near an infected animal at risk of contracting the disease. TB carried by elephants once used in the circus was linked by the CDC to an outbreak affecting 13 people in Tennessee, only one of whom had had direct contact with infected animals. Similarly, according to the CDC, in 2013, eight employees at the Oregon Zoo became infected after contact with an infected elephant.
While circuses are regulated by the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), which is enforced by the USDA, no agency monitors training sessions where the most violent abuses occur. Further, because the AWA establishes only minimal standards and fails to incorporate modern husbandry practices, a facility can be in compliance with the federal law, yet the animals can still be subjected to grossly inhumane conditions. Due to inadequate resources, the weak standards of the AWA are also poorly enforced.
More than 40 countries (including, Colombia, the entire EU, Iran, Singapore, and Taiwan), ten U.S. states (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Virginia), and more than 200 localities in 37 U.S. states have passed legislation addressing the abuse of wild or exotic animals in circuses. This includes 15 municipalities in Massachusetts: Amherst, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Mendon, Northampton, Quincy, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Provincetown, Revere, Somerville, Topsfield, Weymouth, and Wilmington. Read our Advocate Spotlight on Jenne Sindoni’s experience passing the Wilmington ban.
This legislation ensures that Massachusetts will no longer play a role in subjecting captive elephants, big cats, primates, bears, and giraffes to inhumane traveling show conditions, and also demonstrates that the Commonwealth is serious about protecting public health from zoonotic diseases. Rep. Connolly was proud to cosponsor the original version of this bill.
H.4919, An Act to increase kennel safety, aka Ollie's Law
Massachusetts currently has no state oversight of breeders or daycare/boarding facilities. The only requirement for anyone with more than four dogs is to obtain a kennel license from the city or town. This bill would require the Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) to establish reasonable rules and regulations for boarding kennels and daycare facilities.
Oversight of kennels varies significantly from municipality to municipality, as provided through local kennel licenses. Not all municipalities issue kennel licenses, and even when they do, a kennel license is not adequate – it is a bare minimum requirement that simply states that the kennel must be maintained in a sanitary and humane manner. Animal control officers, consumers, veterinarians, and others have provided detailed examples as to why promulgating regulations, beyond a kennel license, is necessary. Rep. Connolly was proud to also be a cosponsor of the original version of this bill.
H.4911, An Act relative to animal welfare and reporting of animal cruelty, abuse or neglect
This legislation would prevent Department of Child and Family Services (DCF) from using breed as factor to determine whether a family can adopt or foster children. Currently, no child under age 12 will be placed in a home where Rottweiler, Pit Bull or German Shepherd dog, or a dog which mixes at least 2 of these 3 breeds, is maintained on the premises. At the recommendation of PAWS II commission on animal cruelty reporting, this bill will also remove timing restrictions in the statutes that allow employees and contractors of human services agencies to report suspected animal cruelty. Currently, the timeframe for this reporting has been interpreted to apply only to the 10-day investigation period. This bill will ensure that suspected animal cruelty can be reported at any time the employee or contractor suspects it.
Dogs should be judged as the individuals they are — not based on outdated and long-ago-disproven stereotypes. If properties choose to allow dogs as family pets, they should not be able to discriminate based on size, weight, or perceived breed. The range of breeds affected by these discriminatory practices is staggering, and includes popular dog breeds like Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Dobermans, Pit Bulls, Dalmatians, Rottweilers, and more. No one should have to choose between their well-behaved dog or their home; it’s that simple.
Policies that target specific dog owners based on the size, weight, or perceived breed of their pet discriminate against those who properly train and socialize their dogs. The ramifications of these policies for animal shelters are that dogs are surrendered because owners are unable to find housing and that potential adopters may be unwilling to adopt certain dogs. Lives are lost and families broken. Policies that target specific breeds discriminate against responsible dog owners who properly train and socialize their dogs. The ramifications of these policies for animal shelters are that potential adopters may be unwilling to adopt certain breeds and dogs are brought to shelters because the owner was unable to obtain insurance. Lives are lost and families broken because of ineffective policies. Rep. Connolly was proud to also be a cosponsor of the original version of this bill.
H.4917, An Act relative to a commission to study the intentional misrepresentation of a service animal
Creates a 17 member legislative commission to study and report on the use, misuse/misrepresentation of service animals, tasked with making recommendations on laws that govern them.
H.4912, An Act regulating the practice and licensure of veterinary technicians
Changes the composition of the Board of registration in veterinary medicine, by adding three licensed vet techs to the board selected by the Governor from a list provided by the MA Veterinary Technician Association. It also adds a second member of the public to the Board, appointed by the Governor.
Defines “veterinary technology” and “veterinary assistant.” Inserts a new section (Chapter 112, Section 56F), which lays out a licensing and registration scheme for veterinary technicians (exempting research institutions, zoos, aquaria, wildlife sanctuaries and other special cases). Requires all veterinary technicians to be licensed, and instructs the Board to promulgate regulations within 180 days.
Rep. Connolly would like to thank the Speaker of the House, Ron Mariano and the Chair of Ways and Means, Aaron Michlewitz for bringing these bills to the floor for a vote, and to MSPCA for their advocacy on behalf of animals.
