Connecticut House Bill HB06101

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/19
• Refer: 1/24/19

Caption

An Act Concerning An Animal Control Officer's Ability To Access An Animal In Distress In A Passenger Motor Vehicle.

Impact

Upon enactment, HB06101 will directly modify section 52-557u of the general statutes to provide clearer directives for animal control officers. This is expected to streamline their responses in emergencies involving animals, as it explicitly grants them the authority to intervene without the need for prior authorization from vehicle owners, thus ensuring quicker action. The change aims to improve outcomes for animals suffered from harmful situations, such as overheating in cars during hot weather.

Summary

House Bill 06101 addresses the issue of animal welfare by amending existing statutes to better empower animal control officers. It specifically details the allowance for these officers to access passenger motor vehicles, including the use of force if necessary, to assist animals that are in distress. This legislative change is positioned as a critical step in ensuring that animals are given timely assistance, which could potentially save lives in situations where animals are left unattended in vehicles under distressing conditions.

Contention

While the bill has been predominantly favored by animal rights advocates who see it as a necessary enhancement of animal welfare laws, there may also be concerns regarding property rights and due process. Critics might argue about the implications of allowing officials to forcibly enter private property without prior consent, raising discussions on the balance between animal welfare and individual rights. Stakeholders will need to navigate these considerations carefully as the bill progresses.