EUTHANIZING CATS & DOGS BY INJECTION
Senate Bill 354 (Substitute S-1)
Sponsor: Sen. Rick Jones
House Committee: Local Government
Senate Committee: Agriculture
Complete to 4-30-14
A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 354 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 9-12-13
The bill would amend Public Act 287 of 1969, which governs pet shops, dog pounds, and animal shelters, to specify that, beginning 60 days after the bill's effective date, euthanasia of a dog or cat that was physically located in an animal control shelter could be performed only by the injection of a commercially prepared solution as provided in Section 7333 of the Public Health Code (a described below).
Under Section 7333 of the Public Health Code, an animal control or protection shelter registered with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) or a class B dealer may acquire a limited permit only for the purpose of buying, possessing, and administering a commercially prepared, premixed solution of sodium pentobarbital to euthanize injured, sick, homeless, or unwanted domestic pets and other animals, if the shelter or dealer does the following:
o Applies to the Michigan Board of Pharmacy for a permit in accordance with applicable rules.
o Complies with the board's rules for the storage, handling, and use of a commercially prepared solution of sodium pentobarbital, and keeps a record of use and makes it available for inspection.
o Certifies that an employee has received, and can document completion of, at least eight hours of training given by a licensed veterinarian in the use of sodium pentobarbital to practice euthanasia on animals pursuant to board rules, and that only such an individual will administer the solution according to written procedures established by the shelter.
Section 7333 contains similar provisions allowing an animal control or protection shelter to acquire a limited permit for the purpose of buying, possessing, and administering a commercially prepared solution of an animal tranquilizer to sedate a feral, wild, difficult to handle, or other animal for euthanasia. These provisions, however, require at least 16 hours of training, including at least three hours of practical training in the use of animal tranquilizers on animals from an approved training program.
Section 7333 defines "animal tranquilizer" as xylazine hydrochloride or other animal tranquilizing drug as approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and by MDARD.
"Class B dealer" means a class B dealer licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pursuant to the Animal Welfare Act and the MDARD pursuant to Public Act 224 of 1969, which governs the use of dogs and cats for research. According to the USDA, dealers are individuals who sell regulated animals for research, exhibition, or as pets in wholesale channels. Class B dealers include brokers, operators of auction sales, and those who supply dealers with dogs, cats, and other regulated animals collected from random sources. (Information in this section was adapted from the analysis of the Senate Fiscal Agency dated 8-21-13.)
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill's impact on local government would be minimal. According to information provided to the Senate by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, few counties do not already use the euthanizing methods required by the bill. In those counties the bill could engender some additional compliance costs, but the amount cannot be determined at this time.
Since a violation of the proposed requirement could be a misdemeanor, the bill could increase court caseloads and the costs of incarceration and/or community supervision for local units. Any new fines would benefit public libraries.
Legislative Analyst: J. Hunault
Fiscal Analyst: Paul Holland
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.