Letter to the Connecticut House Environment Committee Regarding HB 5827 “An Act Concerning Animal Shelters”
March 11, 2008
P.O. Box 1406 Newport, WA 99156
Web Site http://www.povn.com/rdows E-mail US rdows@povn.com
Blog http://rdows.wordpress.com E-mail List http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rdowsCherie Graves, Chairwoman, WA, (509) 447-2821
Judy Schreiber, Assistant to the Chair,
Director at Large, rdowsdirectoratlarge@chevalier-bullterriers.com
Elizabeth Pensgard, Executive Secretary, Illinois Director, bpensgard@yahoo.com
Hermine Stover, Media Liaison, Director at Large, CA, hermine@endangeredspecies.com
Mary Schaeffer, Finance Director, finedogs@hotmail.com
Arizona Director, John Bowen, johnalldogs@sprintmail.com
California Director, Jan Dykema, bestuvall@sbcglobal.net
Indiana Director, Charles Coffman, candkcoffman@comcast.net
Iowa Director, Leisa Boysen, rdows_iowa@yahoo.com
Mississippi Director, Dan Crutchfield, farmer1@telepak.net
Nevada Director, Ken Sondej, 4winds@viawest.net
Tennessee Director, Gina Cotton, ginacotton@msn.com
Texas Director, Alvin Crow, crobx@austin.rr.com
March 8, 2008
Dear esteemed members of the Environment Committee:
It was with great concern that I first learned of HB 5827. Particularly worrisome is the provision in this bill that would allow the Department of Agriculture to make warrantless inspections of any private home caring for ten or more rescued animals (of any species) over six months of age, at any time of day or night. Additionally, HB 5827 provides no clarity regarding standards of animal care to which rescuers would have to adhere, or what could constitute a violation, leaving rescuers wide open to arbitrary decision-making by the Department of Agriculture.
Rescuers who fail to purchase the required license allowing the Department of Agriculture unimpeded access to their homes, or who continue to rescue animals despite license suspension or revocation, would be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to a year in prison. This is excessive and insures compliance only through coercion, which can hardly be reasonable or constitutional since the 4th amendment guarantees “the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures” which “shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or things to be seized.”
Because of these concerns I must ask that you not vote HB 5827 out of committee. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Elizabeth Pensgard
Executive Secretary and Illinois Director, Responsible Dog Owners of the Western States
Director, Responsible Dog Owners Group of Illinois
http://www.povn.com/rdows
http://rdows.wordpress.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BSL56-UAOA
http://www.unitedAnimalownersalliance.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RDOWS
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