Rco.niinLmliilion HI. CLARII Y DliriNiriONS. 



A. Aniniiil Conirol OUkvi 



vScclidti hi 10 (>( llic (K-ncnil Slaliik-s pi(>\ick's (h;U ciMinlics may appoint one or 

 more animal control ollitcrs. Immediately alter § (i7-30. however, the powers and 

 liiilies ol a "clog wanlen" aie clelimil in {j h7 II. Hie terni "tlog warden" relates hack 

 tt) a slatule. since lepealed. which provided that connlies with dog wardens were 

 required to have animal poniids. lo hiithei conluse matters, the Animal Welfare Act 

 provides lor a penalty lor ilog wardens who violate provisions ol the Act. Although dog 

 wardens have the specillc power to arrest, counties generally appoint "animal control 

 oHlcers" lor personnel needed in animal control duties. 



"Animal control olllcers" are vested with certain powers under the sections in the 

 Cicneral .Statutes which ileal with puhlic health anti lahies control, and are defined hy § 

 \M)/\ 1X4(1). One of the duties ol an animal control oiriccr under these sections is to 

 impound certain animals whicli are nol weaiing the rahies tag rec|uired by slate law. 

 Ihe Committee dcleiniined that lliose peisounel who have the responsibility lor 

 iujpounding and disposing ol animals should be cleaily defined under the Animal 

 Wellare Act. and that the dellnition shouUI be consistent with "animal control officer" as 

 defined under the imbfic fiealth chapter ol the statutes. Ihe draft bill adds this 

 definition, anct includes "animal control ollicer" in {} 19A .Ih. which currently applies 

 only to "dog wardens." 



B. Dealer 



As currently dellned. an individual can laise lilteis of five dogs per year, and .sell 

 them lor profit, and nol come under tlie provisions of the Act. Because of the polenliai 

 abuse ol the provision by "puppy mill" opeialors. i e.. those who raise large numbers of 

 animals lor sale to research groups, the ('ommillee determined that "dealer" should be 

 ledeHned. The draft iiill would amend "dealer" to include any person who is raising 

 dogs on a commercial fxisis. I his definition is lonsistent with one stated purpose of the 

 At(--lo insure that animals, as items of commerce, are treated humanely. 



