EAST MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – A new law proposed in Vermont aims to modernize how the state handles animal welfare. It would create a new system for protecting all animals from mistreatment.
Erika Holm of the Central Vermont Humane Society says there is statewide concern about the protection of pets.
“There’s still no regulation or oversight for any of the shelters or rescues in the state,” Holm said.
WCAX News has reported on unregulated at-home shelters and concerns about the health and safety of the animals. Advocates say without standards of care and an inspection and enforcement process, it’s hard to ensure that animals are treated well.
But there is some optimism this year with a new bill that would create new protections for all animals, including pets, farm animals and wildlife. It has a three-pronged approach. First, is placing animal cruelty investigations under a new position in the Department of Public Safety.
“Because it is law enforcement that should be investigating animal cruelty,” Holm said.
The second part is creating a standard of care and oversight for shelters and rescues.
“So we can be sure that those animals are getting the quality care that they deserve,” Holm said.
The last part would be regulating the transportation of animals from out of state.
“Transporters are bringing in animals from the south where people have arranged to have brought up here but then there is no support or no backup when that’s not a good fit or when the animal is sick or the animal is dangerous,” Helm said.
“It’s unclear who is supposed to deal with different things,” said Rep. Chea Waters Evans, D-Charlotte.
It’s also unclear at this point what it would cost to implement the proposed animal welfare system. But Waters Evans, who is one of the sponsors, believes in the long run this will save the state money and time.
“I’m all about government efficiency and I think this really accomplishes that,” she said.
“We are not looking to recreate the wheel here. A lot of this work is already being done in a very fragmented way, so there are efficiencies to be gained by centralizing this,” Holm said.
For advocates, it’s been a long time coming to get this bill drafted. But it’s unclear whether it has the support to pass this year.