Legislation schedule for a floor vote tomorrow morning, March 4, in the Kentucky Senate could deny sporting-dog owners’ due process. While most criminal law does not require a payment of fines or costs until guilt is established, Senate Bill 125 would force a dog owner to pay for the cost of room, board and medical bills if they’re charged with an animal-cruelty offense upon just a finding of probable cause and before a trial.
“While we always want to see those who perpetrate animal abuse held accountable, Senate Bill 125 opens the door for abuse of the judicial system and could easily be used against kennels, trainers and hunting dog owners during training or in the field,” said Brian Lynn, vice president of communications for Sportsmen’s Alliance. “This bill doesn’t define costs and allows a confiscated dog to be killed purely based on the opinion of an unidentified person – and all this before an owner or trainer is even found guilty.”
Take Action! Kentucky sportsmen need to contact their state senators and urge them to Senate Bill 125. Sportsmen can find their representative by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center!
Costs associated with room and board would be solely determined by the shelter, rescue or dog pound. Anyone who does not pay those costs would automatically forfeit their animal, regardless of their financial situation.
In addition, SB 125 would allow the boarding facility to have sole discretion on whether to euthanize a confiscated animal. SB 125 does not require a veterinarian to certify that euthanasia is medically necessary.
A person’s dog could be killed without their input, even in a case where they are ultimately found to be not guilty or have the charges dropped.
Senate Bill 125 tramples the most basic American right by levying fines (under the guise of cost of care charges) before a person is actually found guilty of any wrongdoing. This bill provides enormous potential for abuse against sporting dog owner by people who oppose hunting, or don’t have any familiarity with common training practices for sporting dogs.
Making the guilty pay for the cost of care for animals they abuse is justice. Allowing the government to confiscate your dog because you are unable to pay the charges before the case is even adjudicated is unamerican.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
