Thanks to you and your many emails and calls to your legislators, H.B. 1503, Leaving Dogs Outside in Extreme Temperatures, is on the schedule and has a hearing on Wednesday of this week! We are grateful to the prime sponsor of the bill, Delegate Stein and the co-sponsor, Delegate McMillan, for responding to your emails and immediately taking action, writing a bill and quickly submitting it even after the filing deadline. Thank you Delegate Stein and Delegate McMillan!
This bill provides much-needed additional protection for tethered dogs during snow emergencies and freezing temperatures by prohibiting them from being left outside in those conditions. This winter has been extremely cold with temperatures falling into the single digits and with record snowfalls. Maryland's dogs who are tethered outside, some 24 hours a day 7 days a week, are suffering terribly.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has stated:
"Cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. It's a common belief that dogs and cats are resistant....to cold weather because of their fur, but it's untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in below-freezing weather."
Several states including Connecticut and Texas have passed laws prohibiting tethering during extreme weather. Pennsylvania has a bill pending. While Maryland law requires animals to be provided with protection from the weather, those involved in animal control and in rescue work are well aware that this law lacks specifics and is difficult to enforce. This is an incremental step forward and the least Maryland can do for man's best friend who has suffered so terribly this winter and will suffer again next winter without this committee's intervention.
The wording of the bill can be seen here.
If you'd like to show your support by attending the hearing, here are details:
Wednesday, March 19th at 1:00
House Judiciary Committee
House Office Building, Room 101
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
Note: If your legislator sits on House Judiciary Committee you'll be receiving an action alert from MVFA on Wednesday morning. So watch for it and please take action! And if you're not a member of MVFA click the JOIN button above to get our alerts.