Puppy Mill Party with a Purpose

Party With a Purpose this April!

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is excited to announce that our next round of Party Animals house parties will be Sunday, April 19, and will focus on putting an end to puppy mills.

Join our special guests—economist, author and actor Ben Stein, Congressmen Sam Farr (D-Calif.) and Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.), and HSLF President Mike Markarian—on the April 19 nationwide conference call!


Ben Stein is an avid dog lover, and a true celebrity champion of animals. As he has demonstrated during his varied career advising presidents, teaching students, educating readers, entertaining audiences, and more, Ben Stein brings a thoughtful, measured, and real-world approach to the often delicate and complex issues of animal protection and the humane treatment of all animals. Click here for details.

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Fortifying the Diet

Fortifying the Diet for Long-Term Health

You want to ensure the well-being of your canine companion. But it may not be a simple matter to determine which nutrients are required for optimal health.

You see, no two dogs are the same, due to a variety of factors, including differences in breed, life stage, health needs, personality, living environment and level of activity. In part, it is due to your dog’s unique health requirements that adding a dietary supplement to their daily nutritional intake is more important than you might think.

While feeding a wholesome, nutritious food like Life’s Abundance can make an enormous impact on the health of your dog, supplements are a necessary component in fulfilling the individual dietary requirements of your pup.

Working with our veterinarian product formulator, Dr. Jane Bicks, we have developed three unique formulas to target specific needs: Agility for healthy joints, Skin & Coat for healthy skin and a glossy coat, and Advanced Daily Supplement for an improved immune system.

To find out more about these holistic, health-promoting supplements click here.

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Puppy Mill Conviction

USDA Licensed National Dog Broker Found Guilty
http://www.caps-web.org/

Companion Animal Protection Society's Undercover Investigation Convicts National Dog Breeder & Broker Kathy Bauck in Minnesota

An undercover investigation by the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting companion animals from cruelty and inhumane breeding practices in pet shops and puppy mills, is pleased to announce that Kathy Bauck, the owner and operator of Pick of the Litter (aka Puppies on Wheels)in New York Mills, Minnesota, has been found guilty of four misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and torture.

Ms. Bauck was one of the largest national USDA licensed dog brokers, distributing thousands of dogs to pet shops across the country and via the internet. Based on evidence compiled by CAPS, Ms. Bauck was found guilty by a jury for four misdemeanor counts of cruelty and torture at a trial that began on March 18th and ended on March 24th 2009.

While under a cease and desist order from the State Veterinary Board for the practice of veterinary medicine, including doing C-sections on her dogs, Ms. Bauck continued to practice vet medicine, which was documented by her employees. However, the state allowed her to plea bargain for just one charge for the practice of veterinary medicine and dropped the cruelty charge for killing a puppy by bashing it against a pole. While on parole and serving work release, she continued to commit cruelty that was documented by a CAPS undercover investigator. CAPS submitted the investigator's hidden camera footage, photographs and reports to local authorities. This documentary evidence was the basis of the criminal case against Bauck.

At the time of the investigator's employment, Ms. Bauck's facility held 900 adult dogs and approximately 400 puppies. The undercover video shot by the CAPS investigator shows dogs that are sick, wounded, and emaciated. Dogs at her facility commonly became wounded through fights, even some of the small breed dogs.

CAPS has an online pet shop and internet puppy complaint form and over the years has received a number of complaints from consumers who purchased sick puppies that were bred or brokered by Bauck.

Ms. Bauck has been licensed by the USDA since 1983 and despite CAPS investigations since 1997, the USDA has failed to take action. The July 2008 USDA inspection report for Bauck had no violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). CAPS has been investigating the USDA's failure to enforce the AWA since 1995 and has been lobbying members of Congress for oversight hearings regarding USDA's lax enforcement of the AWA. CAPS returns to the Capitol in April to meet with USDA officials and members of Congress and will use the Bauck case as evidence of the USDA's malfeasance.

At 9:18pm on Tuesday March 24, 2009 after reviewing all of the evidence by the CAPS investigator, the . The sentencing hearing will be on April 24, 2009.jury determined that Ms. Bauck was guilty of four misdemeanor counts


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Why No Conviction?

WHY WASN’T THERE A CONVICTION?

Companion Animal Protection Society’s Undercover Investigation Convicts USDA Licensed National Dog Breeder & Broker Kathy Bauck in Minnesota of 4 Misdemeanors, Jury Dismisses 2 Felony Charges

(Boston, MA) – The Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) is extremely disappointed that the jury for the trial of Kathy Bauck, the owner and operator of Pick of the Litter (aka Puppies on Wheels) in New York Mills, Minnesota, did not find Bauck guilty of two felony charges. However, based on the laws of Minnesota, we understand why they arrived at their decision.

Minnesota statute 343.20, sub. 6 defines pet or companion animal: "Pet or companion animal" includes any animal owned, possessed by, cared for, or controlled by a person for the present or future enjoyment of that person or another as a pet or companion, or any stray pet or stray companion animal. Nothing in this statute indicates that dogs are livestock, but Bauck’s defense attorney raised the argument that the dogs that were shown in the video taken by the CAPS investigator were her "breeding stock" dogs. As such, he stated that they shouldn't be considered pets or companion animals. The legal argument and interpretation will be up to the judge to decide during the final sentencing.

What makes Minnesota Statute 343.21, Overworking or Mistreating Animals, a felony is in the penalty portion in subdivision 9, under subdivision (c) - having a previous gross misdemeanor on felony conviction or (d) the intentional violation that results in the death or great bodily harm of a pet or companion animal, which the prosecution argued. The other sections of this subdivision did not apply to the Kathy Bauck case.

In Count 3, a torture violation charged as a gross misdemeanor under 343.21, subdivision. 9 (b), the jury had to answer additional questions, including whether or not the animal was a pet or companion animal; they answered "No" to that question. Therefore, this made it more likely that the jury would have found Bauck not guilty of a felony.

For there to be a felony, the defendant’s behavior must be proven intentional. During the incident documented below, the CAPS investigator was not wearing a hidden camera daily because of security precautions. Without video evidence for the first felony count, it was hard for the jury to determine if there was intentional behavior by Bauck. This incident was documented by the CAPS investigator in field notes and a report.

The CAPS investigator’s quote: “I observed consistent neglect and abuse at the Bauck family’s kennel. Common sense shows that animal cruelty at their kennel will not end as long as they are breeding dogs. The dogs at the kennel have no way to protect themselves, and that fact should be at the core of the decision in sentencing Kathy Bauck.”

Regarding the sentencing, anything short of the judge ordering that all of the dogs and cats be removed and Bauck and her family be banned from the practice of breeding is acceptable. The Bauck family should be allowed to keep one pet cat/or one pet dog as long as this companion animal is spayed or neutered. Bauck should also be banned from employment by any person or business that deals in the raising of dogs or cats for profit purposes. See the State of South Dakota vs. Gary Haiar (August 1992) for a similar sentence. Haiar had approximately 400 dogs and was in the process of obtaining a USDA license when found guilty of animal cruelty. CAPS generated publicity about this deplorable facility in Life magazine in September 1992.

USDA regulations should also be amended to require automatic termination of a license upon a conviction for animal cruelty, whether it be a misdemeanor or felony offense. Section 2.11 of the Animal Welfare Act regulations merely states that a license will not be issued to any applicant how has been fined, sentenced to jail or pled nolo contendere under state or local cruelty to animal laws within 1 year of application. USDA is currently reviewing the CAPS evidence. Sadly, however, even if Bauck loses her USDA license and can no longer sell to pet shops, she will still be able to sell over the internet because breeders who sell strictly over the internet are not regulated under federal laws.

Minnesota has no state inspection program but there is legislation currently in front of the state legislature that would ban state licensed kennel operators who have been convicted of animal cruelty from having a license. CAPS supports this legislation, especially because it would apply to internet breeders.

For more information please visit www.caps-web.org or call the Companion Animal Protection Society at 781.210.0938.


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Puppies Behind Bars

http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com

Puppies Behind Bars, Inc. formally came into existence in July 1997, and we initiated the program at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in November 1997. We began with five puppies in the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, New York State's only maximum-security prison for women, and now work in seven correctional facilities raising approximately 100 puppies.

The pups live in the cells with their primary raisers, go to classes administered by Puppies Behind Bars once a week, and are furloughed two or three weekends a month to 'puppy sitters' who take the dogs into their homes in order to expose them to things they won't experience in prison. These can be as simple as hearing doorbells or the sounds of a coffee grinder, and as complex as learning how to ride in a car and walk down a crowded sidewalk.

The puppies live in prison for sixteen months, after which they are tested to determine their suitability for training as service dogs for the disabled or explosive detection canines for law enforcement. If they are deemed suitable, Puppies Behind Bars returns them to the schools where they continue their formal training. If they do not continue on the track to become working dogs, Puppies Behind Bars donates them to families with blind children. In either case, these puppies, raised in such a unique environment, spend their lives as companions to people who need them. Read the entire article.

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Dr. Jane Foundation

Helping companion animals to lead healthier, longer and happier lives is not just our company commitment … it’s our personal mission. That’s why we have worked very hard to not only provide the best, health-promoting products, we have also established a foundation to help improve the lives of abandoned companion animals all across the U.S. The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation is a non-profit organization absolutely committed to supporting a variety of animal rescue groups, all of which are dedicated to helping to rescue neglected and unwanted animals.

Every time you purchase a Trilogy (or HealthyPetNet) product, a portion of the profits are contributed to a fund that supports the operations of this organization. Read more about the Foundation.

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Kitty Stress Test

Have you wondered if your kitty is suffering from stress? Take the kitty stress test.

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Sago Palm Plant

It’s hard to believe a houseplant could harm a tough cookie like the Woytek family’s Lab mix, Amber. A survivor of Hurricane Ike, the young pup was diagnosed with distemper in the months after her adoption from the Houston SPCA in September 2008. But according to Laurie Woytek, Amber defeated the often fatal virus—and went on to form a tight bond with her canine “sister” and partner-in-crime, Scout, a one-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback mix.

Early last month, Laurie discovered that Amber had eaten parts of a sago palm plant. Sago palm—with its dark green leaves and hairy trunk—has become a popular houseplant in recent years, but unbeknownst to many green-thumbed pet parents, it’s also highly toxic to cats and dogs.

Immediately ill, Amber was hospitalized at a nearby emergency clinic. Says Laurie, “I was very scared, but thought, ‘She's tough—she'll make it through.’” After several days in the hospital, the emergency veterinarian delivered the heartbreaking news to the Woyteks—Amber had developed jaundice and life-threatening liver failure.

“We took Amber to our regular veterinarian to discuss our options with him,” explains Laurie. “She suffered seizures in the car on the way, and we ultimately made the very difficult, yet humane decision to let her go.”

Sadly, Amber’s story is all too common. Since 2003, the ASPCA has seen an increase by more than 200 percent of sago palm and cycad poisonings, and 50 to 75 percent of those ingestions resulted in fatalities. According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, all parts of the plant are toxic, not just the seeds or nuts, and common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure.
“It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do,” reflects Laurie. “Amber is truly missed and will forever be in our hearts. She was our little princess.”

In memory of Amber, and to mark the end of National Poison Prevention Week, March 15-21, the ASPCA reminds all pet parents to stay informed about protecting pets from accidental poisonings.

www.aspca.org

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How Much is that Puppy in the Window?

We’ve all heard puppy horror stories about sick dogs from bad breeders. But many pet stores promise problem-free dogs from first-rate breeders.

They claim the dog was raised in optimum conditions, with room to run free and healthy surroundings.

But that isn't always the case.

Some pet store dogs come from less than ideal places, and as Wendy Mesley discovers, it's a long and surprising journey from the breeder to the buyer.

Read the entire article and Watch the Video.


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HSUS sues Petland!

HSUS Members to Petland: See You in Court

Minchy, a young miniature pinscher, is slowly going blind. Patrick, a Pomeranian puppy, suffers from an inherited joint disorder that requires expensive surgery. Mainerd, a Boston terrier, must endure a painful genetic spinal condition. All these puppies were sold by Petland stores. And while it’s too late to spare these animals from their pain and suffering, and their owners from the heartbreak of caring for a sick pet, their families are now one step closer to having their day in court.

Following up on our investigation released in November 2008, exposing Petland as the largest retail supporter of puppy mills, members of The HSUS and other consumers filed a class action lawsuit late yesterday alleging that Petland, Inc. and the Hunte Corporation are violating a federal anti-racketeering law and numerous state consumer protection laws. read the entire article.

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Choosing a Cat

Before you get a new kitten or adopt an adult cat, make sure you complete your education about kitty education. If you are already living with an untrained cat with existing problems, simply designate today as the first day at Kitty College for both of you. Kitten training techniques work perfectly well with adult cats.

Adopting a New Kitten

Check that the kitten was raised indoors, around human companionship and influence. Ask the breeder how many strangers, especially including men and children, have handled and gentled the kittens. Spend at least an hour observing, playing with, and hugging and handling (restraining and examining), your prospective kitten. At eight weeks of age, kitten activity recycles every 40 minutes so. To get a representative feel for your kitten's overall demeanor, make sure that you observe her while she sleeps, when she plays, and when she is wild. Check that the kitten already uses a litter box and plays with her scratching post.

Adopting an Adult Cat

Choosing an adult cat is a very personal choice: choose the one that likes all family members best, and choose the one you all like best. The secret to adopting the perfect cat is patience, patience, patience, and selection, selection, selection. The perfect cat is waiting for you somewhere, and so take your time to choose with your head as well as your heart.

Read the entire article.
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Alabama Rabies Law

Bill may save pet owners cash
By Markeshia Ricks

Pet owners might have one less thing to worry about every year when it comes to the health of their animals if a bill makes it out of the Alabama Legislature this year.

State Sen. Larry Dixon, R-Montgomery, is sponsoring a bill that would change a law that requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated against rabies each year. Instead, most pet owners will only have to round up their animals and pay for the shots once every three years.

If the bill passes, dogs and cats, along with ferrets, would be immunized according to the vaccine's license -- opening the door for veterinarians to use vaccines that can protect the animal for at least three years and possibly the use of those that provide longer protection in the future.

The bill was introduced last week, and has been assigned to the Senate Health Committee.

Dixon said the change is something that the state's veterinarian association and the state public health department have been trying to get changed for a couple of years.

"This bill is designed to enhance the practice of veterinary medicine, not weaken it," he said. "This three-year vaccine has been available for some time now and this would clean up the requirement of annual vaccinations and accommodate the developments in veterinary medicine."

Dr. Charles Frantz, executive director of the Alabama Veterinarian Medical Association, said vaccines for dogs and cats that immunize an animal against rabies for three years have been around for at least 20 years.

"It is physically written in the law," Frantz said of the annual rabies vaccination. "The law has to be changed to allow veterinarians to use the three-year vaccine."

Alabama is the last state in the country that still requires the annual immunizations for dogs and cats, instead of conforming to the new national standard, according to The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust. read the entire article.

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Alabama Rabies Challenge - Update!

Alabama Rabies Law - UPDATE

Senate Bill #469 sponsored by Senator Larry Dixon was introduced on March 5, 2009 to amend Alabama Code Title 3 Section 7A-2 to conform to the 3 year rabies protocol and include a medical exemption clause for animals whose well-being would be jeopardized by rabies vaccination.

The bill has been assigned to the Senate Health Committee.

What You Can Do to Help

Contact the Senate Health Committee members:

lindacoleman60@bellsouth.net
senbutler@aol.com
senbedford@aol.com
larry.dixon@alsenate.gov
steve.french@alsenate.gov
legislator@mclo.org
myronpenn28@hotmail.com
qtross2002@hotmail.com
harriannesmith@graceba.net
zeb@zeblittlelawfirm.com
jabo.waggoner@alsenate.gov

.......and ask them to pass SB #469

PERMISSION GRANTED TO CROSS-POST
_________________________
Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND


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Recall

Contact:Alaska Canine Cookies , 1-800-280-2927

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- March 10, 2009 -- Alaska Canine Cookies of Anchorage, Alaska is recalling Peanut Butter, Power Bone and Carrot Cake flavors of Canine Cookies because they were manufactured using peanuts recalled by Peanut Corporation of America which have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling dry pet food and/or treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Alaska Canine Cookies were distributed in our 4 stores, (Anchorage, downtown Anchorage in the 5th Avenue Mall, Homer, and Wasilla) and on the website (www.alaskacaninecookies.com).

All three flavors (Peanut Butter, Power Bone, and Carrot Cake) come in a "Filled with Fun" bag (diagonally striped bag containing 3 large bones) and a "Woof Pack" (15 ounce bag labeled "Alaskan "Woof" Pack" with the Husk E. Dog on the front containing approximately 45 medium bones). Both the Filled with Fun and the Woof Pack, as well as any other Canine Cookie with a 1 ½ inch bone shaped sticker reading "Peanut Butter for Dogs, a natural treat for dogs" are included.

Additionally, the "Lollipup" (available only in the peanut butter flavor) comes in a 1 ounce bag with the Husk E. Dog on the front, and has the name "Lollipup" on the back and contains 1 large bone.

The "Polar Pooch Pouch" (offered only in the carrot cake flavor) is a 5 ounce bag with the Husk E Dog on the front, with "canine carrot cake" written across the front of the bag and contains 12 medium bones. There are no product codes or UPC codes for these products.

All three flavors have been available in bulk by request. There are no product codes or UPC codes for the bulk products.

No known illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this product. The recall was initiated after it was determined that the peanut product received was manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America.

Consumers who have purchased any of the Canine Cookies in the 3 flavors mentioned above are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact us at 1-800-280-2927 (10 – 5, Monday through Friday, Alaska time). read the entire article.

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Animal Cruelty Laws

Animal cruelty laws among fastest-growing
msnbc.com
The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. - Some things shouldn't happen even to a dog. But they do.

In Pennsylvania last year, a warden ordered two kennel operators to examine some of their charges for fleas. Instead, Elmer Zimmerman of Kutztown shot 70 dogs; his brother Ammon, who had a kennel next door, shot 10.

Horrible, yes, said Jessie Smith, the state's special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement, when the killings were reported. "But it's legal."

No more. Partly because of outrage over the shootings, dogs in Pennsylvania kennels now can be euthanized only by a veterinarian, and the state keeps a tighter leash on the "puppy mills."

Changes in animal law have come, and not just to Pennsylvania. Other incidents of abuse and a shifting national consciousness have made this one of the fastest-growing fields in the legal profession. In 1993, just seven states had felony animal cruelty laws; today, all but four do.

"Animal law is where environmental law was 20 years ago. It's in its infancy but growing," said Pamela Frasch, who heads the National Center for Animal Law at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, where she has been an adjunct professor for 10 years.
read the entire article.

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Georgia Domestic Violence Bill

www.HSUS.org

Studies have repeatedly shown the connection between animal abuse and human violence. Perpetrators of domestic violence often times threaten, injure or kill family pets in an effort to control or intimidate their human victim.

Fortunately, the Georgia legislature is considering a bill (H.B. 429) to help protect pets in cases of domestic violence. H.B. 429 would allow courts to include protections for pets in protective orders in cases of domestic violence.

If this legislation does not pass the House by Wednesday, it will be considered dead. If you live in Georgia, please urge your state representative to support H.B. 429.

Click here to read the details of H.B. 429.

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Now that you have a new puppy!

Congratulations! So, you have your new puppy. Now what? Basically, you are at a fork in the road. The success of the relationship depends on your teaching your puppy the rules and regulations of domestic living. The most critical time in your dog's life is right now—puppyhood! First impressions are indelible and long-lasting. Consequently, the next few weeks are crucially important for your dog's development. Help and guidance at this stage will have a profound and everlasting effect that will enrich the dog-human relationship for many years to come. Read the entire article.

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Before you get a puppy!

Sadly, the majority of puppies fail to live long enough to enjoy their second birthday. They suffer from the terminal illness of being unwanted—failing to live up to the promise and expectation of the Lassie–Benji–Eddie dream. Instead they develop a number of utterly predictable behavior, training, and temperament problems and are surrendered to animal shelters to play lotto with their lives. Many people blame irresponsible ownership for this tragic situation. I would cite lack of know-how. Most prospective puppy owners are simply unaware of the problems that lie ahead and unfortunately, they have little idea how to prevent or resolve them. Ironically, the demise of many dogs stems from novice owners following misleading, erroneous, and in some cases downright bad advice from out-of-date training books. Read the entire article.

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GA Legislation: Antifreeze

Permission to Cross Post:

HoseBill 219 which will require that a bitter substance be put in antifreeze, preventing accidental or purposeful death to humans, and HB 429, which will protect pets as well as the family members in domestic violence cases, both passed out of subcommittee favorably.

To see the full language on these bills, you can go to www.legis.ga.gov and put in the bill numbers.

Call or email the final remaining committee members if you are a constituent in their district, and ask them to vote in support of HB 219 and HB 429.

The emails are:
Roberta.Abdulsalaam@house.ga.gov;
charlice.byrd@house.ga.gov;
ed.setzler@house.ga.gov;
melvin.everson@house.ga.gov;
Kevin.levitas@house.ga.gov;
doug.collins@house.ga.gov;
bobby.franklin@house.ga.gov;
nikki.randall@house.ga.gov;
Wendell.willard@house.ga.gov.

This is how to find YOUR representative: Got to www.congress.org, Enter your zip code. Then click on 'State' elected officials. Then, enter your full address. You will see under Sonny Perdue's name the names of your Senator and House Representative.

Then go to this website to get their contact information,
bios, or the status of a bill, etc.: http://www.legis.state.ga.us/

Cheryl McAuliffe
GA Director, Humane Society of the United States


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Brushing Your Cat's Teeth

Step 1
Purchase feline toothpaste and a toothbrush from your veterinarian or local pet store. Select a toothpaste flavor that you know your cat will enjoy.

Step 2
Acclimate your cat to having something in its mouth.

Step 3
Soak your finger(s) in a liquid your cat likes, such as tuna water. Lightly rub its gums and teeth while holding your cat. Repeat once a day for the first few days.

Step 4
Wrap a piece of liquid-soaked gauze around your finger(s) and in a circular motion, softly rub your cat's teeth and gum line. Repeat this step until your cat becomes comfortable with the process.

Step 5
Acquaint your cat with a toothbrush by allowing it to lick something flavorful off the bristles. Introduce the toothpaste in a similar fashion by placing a small amount on your finger and then rubbing some on your cat's gum line.

Step 6
Start by brushing several of your cat's front teeth. These teeth are the most easily accessible.

Step 7
Increase the number of teeth brushed each session when your cat becomes comfortable with the procedure. Discontinue the brushing if your cat becomes agitated or fussy.

Step 8
Praise your cat repeatedly throughout the tooth brushing process.

Step 9
Develop a regular brushing routine when your cat is a kitten. Young cats adjust more easily to having their teeth brushed.

read the entire article.
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Rhode Island - Rabies Law

Below is a copy of my letter to Rhode Island's Public Health Veterinarian, who responded that he is "planning to convene that body to review current regulations and protocols" and that he will present my petition.

Now is the time for concerned Rhode Island pet owners to contact their legislators about changing the state's rabies law to the national 3 year standard. To find your legislator, click on this link: Rhode Island General Assembly: Link.

PERMISSION GRANTED TO CROSS-POST

February 18, 2009

Dr. Scott Marshall Dr. David R. Gifford, Director
State Public Health Veterinarian Department of Health
Division of Agriculture 3 Capitol Hill
235 Promenade Street Providence, RI 02908
Providence, RI 02908-5767

RE: Chapter 4-13-30 Rules and Regulations Governing the Suppression of Rabies

Greetings Drs. Marshall and Gifford:

On behalf of The Rabies Challenge Fund and concerned Rhode Island pet owners who have contacted us, I am writing to alert you to the fact that Rhode Island’s rabies regulations (Title 4, Chapter 4-13-30) requiring that dogs and cats receive boosters “not more than twenty-four (24) months have elapsed since the most recent vaccine” is contrary to the recommendations of all the national veterinary medical associations as well as the labeled specifications of all rabies vaccines licensed by the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Center for Disease Control’s National Association of State Public Health Veterinarian's (NASPHV) Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control 2008 states that, “Vaccines used in state and local rabies control programs should have at least a 3-year duration of immunity. This constitutes the most effective method of increasing the proportion of immunized dogs and cats in any population (50).” They specifically warn that, “(n)o laboratory or epidemiologic data exist to support the annual or biennial administration of 3- or 4-year vaccines following the initial series.” Also endorsing the NASPHV’s Rabies Compendium are the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)[1] and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).[2]

Requiring Rhode Island’s pet owners to pay for medically unnecessary rabies vaccinations at least every 24 months, from which their animal derive no benefit, raises ethical and legal issues which may violate Chapter 6-13.1 of Rhode Island’s Deceptive Trade Practices as well as the Veterinary Practice Act (Chapter 5-25) when veterinarians are compelled to administer 3 year vaccines (there are no 2 year rabies vaccines licensed by the USDA), off-label every 2 years in order for their clients to comply with state law.

Immunologically, the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions such as polyneuropathy “resulting in muscular atrophy, inhibition or interruption of neuronal control of tissue and organ function, incoordination, and weakness.”[3] Auto-immune hemolytic anemia,[4] autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel, and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are all linked to the rabies vaccine. [5] [6] It is medically unsound for this vaccine to be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity.

The labels on rabies vaccines state that they are for “the vaccination of healthy cats, dogs…,” and there are medical conditions for which vaccination can jeopardize the life or well-being of an animal. A medical exemption clause inserted into the new 3 year Rabies Law being considered would allow veterinarians to write waivers for animals for whom medical conditions preclude vaccination. The State of Maine inserted such an exemption into the 3 year rabies protocol, 7 M.R.S.A., Sec. 3922(3), it adopted in 2004 as follows:


A. A letter of exemption from vaccination may be submitted for licensure, if a medical reason exists that precludes the vaccination of the dog. Qualifying letters must be in the form of a written statement, signed by a licensed veterinarian, that includes a description of the dog, and the medical reason that precludes vaccination. If the medical reason is temporary, the letter shall indicate a time of expiration of the exemption.

B. A dog exempted under the provisions of paragraph 5 A, above, shall be considered unvaccinated, for the purposes of 10-144 C.M.R. Ch.251, Section 7(B)(1), (Rules Governing Rabies Management) in the case of said dog’s exposure to a confirmed or suspect rabid animal.


The Rabies Challenge Fund strongly urges Rhode Island to amend the Rules and Regulations Governing the Suppression of Rabies to conform to the national standard set by the CDC’s NASPHV’s Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control and respectfully requests that medical exemption language be inserted into the law.

Sincerely,

Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND
www.RabiesChallengeFund.org

cc: Rhode Island Legislature
Governor Donald L. Carcieri
Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch
Dr. W. Jean Dodds
Dr. Ronald Schultz
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] American Veterinary Medical Association, Veterinary Biologics, June 2007, “Rabies Vaccination Procedures”

[2] American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Force. 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines, Recommendations, and Supporting Literature, 28pp.; and ibid. 2006 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines, Revised, 28 pp.

[3] Dodds, W. Jean Vaccination Protocols for Dogs Predisposed to Vaccine Reactions, The Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, May/June 2001, Vol. 37, pp. 211-214

[4] Duval D., Giger U.Vaccine-Associated Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia in the Dog, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1996; 10:290-295

[5] American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Executive Board, April 2001, Principles of Vaccination, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 219, No. 5, September 1, 2001.

[6] Vascelleri, M. Fibrosarcomas at Presumed Sites of Injection in Dogs: Characteristics and Comparison with Non-vaccination Site Fibrosarcomas and Feline Post-vaccinal Fibrosarcomas; Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Series A August 2003, vol. 50, no. 6, pp. 286-291.
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Pet Turtles - Salmonella

From: www.fda.gov

Pet turtles may look cute but they can make you very sick. Small pet turtles carry Salmonella which can cause serious illness in anyone but especially infants, young children, elderly people and people with lowered natural resistance to disease due to pregnancy, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and other diseases. Learn how you can protect yourself from turtle related Salmonella infection from the below brochure.

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