Three police officers were shot in Washington, District of Columbia (DC) while attempting to make an arrest on an animal cruelty warrant. After a thirteen-hour standoff, 48-year-old Stephen Claude Rattigan surrendered. He faces charges for cruelty to animals and charges for shooting the officers are pending. Up to 30 dogs were found in the home. The situation forced lockdowns and prompted a police presence at nearby schools. The injured officers are undergoing treatment at a local hospital and are expected to recover.
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RCMP Say Criminal Charge Possible After North Vancouver Golden Retriever Stolen
A man who stole a golden retriever from outside a Shoppers Drug Mart in North Vancouver, British Columbia, could be criminally charged. North Vancouver Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) shared in a news release that the dog’s companion “briefly” left her dog, Amber, outside of the pharmacy and came back to find her missing. With the help of the public, partner agencies, and social media, the officers were able to locate and return Amber in “a relatively short period of time.” The suspect is facing a possible charge of theft under $5,000.
Missouri Bill Would Establish Parvovirus Protocol
Missouri House Bill 2686 would establish protocols, including reporting to the state veterinarian and quarantine procedures, for animal care facilities handling animals suffering from parvovirus. The bill has not yet been referred to a committee.
Minnesota Bills Would Require Board of Animal Health to Publish Information About Dog and Cat Kennels and Dealers
Minnesota House File 3410 and Senate File 3458 would require the Board of Animal Health to post to its website certain information about dog and cat kennels and dealers. The information required would include a list of licensed kennels and dealers in good standing, “copies of the three most recent inspection report forms” for each kennel and dealer, numbers of animals kept, and a list of kennels and dealers whose licenses have expired or been revoked. The bills were referred respectively to the House Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development.
New York Bill Would Create Civil Remedy for Mistreatment of Companion Animals
New York Senate Bill 8543 would create a civil remedy for the mistreatment of companion animals. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture.
Minnesota Bills Would Establish Office of Animal Protection
Minnesota Senate File 3542 and House File 3799 would establish the Office of Animal Protection within the state’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in the Department of Public Safety to better prevent animal cruelty, support enforcement of cruelty laws, and provide animal protection-related education and grants across the state. The bills would appropriate $350,000 in fiscal year 2025 for the new office. The bills were referred respectively to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety and the House Committee on Public Safety Finance and Policy.
New Jersey Bills Would Establish Immunity for Rescue of Unattended Animals from Vehicles
New Jersey bills A3637 and its previously reported on companion bill, S80, would provide immunity from civil and criminal liability for rescuing a “domestic companion animal” from inhumane conditions of confinement in a motor vehicle. The bills are carryovers from the previous legislative session. The bills were referred respectively to the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee, and to the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
New Jersey Bills Would Extend Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Eligibility to Feral Cats
New Jersey bills A3635 and its previously reported on companion bill, S261, the “Compassion for Community Cats Law,” would make feral cats eligible for low-cost spay and neuter and immunization services funded through the Animal Population Control Fund. The bills are carryovers from the previous legislative session. The bills were referred respectively to the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee, and to the Senate Economic Growth Committee.
New Jersey Bill Would Prohibit Enforcement of Will Requests to Euthanize Healthy Pets
New Jersey bill A3740 would prohibit the enforcement of testamentary directives requiring the “euthanasia of a healthy domestic companion animal.” The bill is a carryover from the previous session, but bill language has not yet been made publicly available this session. The bill has not yet been referred to a committee.
Illinois Bill Would Prohibit Shelters from Euthanizing Stray or Returned Companion Animals
Illinois Senate Bill 3791 would amend the “Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act” to prohibit animal shelters from euthanizing “any dog, cat, or other domesticated animal returned or found on the street” on or after July 1, 2024. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Assignments.