Next week, two Connecticut legislative committees have scheduled public hearings as follows:
March 1, 2022, at 10 A.M. – HB 5232 Concerning Service Animals. This bill is supported by the American Kennel Club (AKC) because it would update Connecticut’s laws to ensure its terms and definitions are consistent with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill is a reflection of work done by a 2019 workgroup that AKC participated in.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Anyone wishing to speak at the Human Services Committee’s public Zoom hearing, which is scheduled to start at 10 A.M. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, regarding HB 5232 must complete this form with your contact information. To register to testify by phone, call the Phone Registrant Line at (860) 240-0490 to leave your contact information. Registration will close on Monday, February 28th at 3:00 P.M.
- Interested residents are encouraged to email written testimony with the bill number and your name, in MS Word or PDF format, to the Committee members at HStestimony@cga.ct.gov.
March 3, 2022, at 9 A.M. – SB 141 Increasing the Penalty for Intentional Injury of a Police Animal or Dog In a Volunteer Search and Rescue Team. If enacted, this bill would amend the animal cruelty statute by elevating the intentional injury of any animal while in the performance of its duties under the supervision of law enforcement, or any dog performing for a volunteer search and rescue team, to a class C felony. Current law classifies the killing of these animals as a class C felony, but intentional injury is only classified as Class D, the least serious type of felony.
AKC is proud to support SB 141 and its potential to deter harm to these working dogs. AKC values the contribution that all working dogs make to national security, and the extraordinary role that these dogs play in protecting the peace and security of individuals and communities. We honor the breeders, trainers, and handlers of these dogs, and support measures designed to protect the wellbeing and significant value of these highly-trained dogs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- To register to speak at the Public Safety and Security Committee’s public Zoom meeting, which is scheduled to start at 9 A.M. on Thursday, March 3, 2022, regarding SB 141, complete this form with your contact information and the bill number. To register to testify by phone, call the Phone Registrant Line at (860) 240-0570 to leave your contact information. Registration will close on Wednesday, March 2nd at 3:00 P.M.
- Support can be shared with the committee members by emailing written testimony in MS Word or PDF format, with the bill number and your name, to PStestimony@cga.ct.gov.
AKC Government Relations (GR) will provide additional information as developments warrant. For more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.