Unattended Dogs in Extreme Weather
Due to the shortened session, this bill was not voted on by the time of Sine Die. Mary, however, plans on bringing this bill back in the 2021 Legislative Session.
Please check back for more updates.
This bill sets the minimum standard for care and should not be considered uniform across all counties with stricter laws.
The bill’s description is as follows:
This bill generally prohibits a person from leaving a dog outside and unattended for longer than 30 minutes without access to continuous “suitable shelter” during “extreme weather conditions.” This prohibition does not apply if the dog is lawfully and actively engaged in (1) hunting; (2) livestock herding; (3) sledding; (4) “sporting”; or (5) training. Violators are guilty of a civil offense punishable by a warning for a first violation, a civil penalty of up to $500 for a second violation, and a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a third or subsequent violation.
To read the Fiscal and Policy Note, click here.