A bill that would severely restrict the humane tethering of dogs outside will be heard in the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Senate Bill 26 would prohibit the tethering of dogs outside when the temperature falls below 32 degrees for more than one hour.
This change would have severe impacts on winter field trial events, sporting dog owners hunting on winter days and those who choose to humanely tether their dogs at their homes. There is no language in the bill that provides any exemptions when the dog has access to shelter from the elements, breed exceptions or for those dogs temporarily tethered.
“Not only would this bill would destroy winter field trials, it goes so far as to prohibit the average dog owner from tethering their pet outdoors in the winter, even just for a 5 minute bathroom break,” said Adam Wright, USSA’s associate director of state services. “This bill is an extreme overreach that does not take into account the fact that sporting dogs are built to hunt, compete and thrive during the winter months. There is no reason to restrict tethering to the severe degree that this bill proposes.”
All sportsmen are encouraged to contact the members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and express their concern with the bill. Let them know that the bill would severely impact sporting dogs and their owners.
For anyone willing and able to attend the committee hearing, the hearing will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 2:00 p.m. The location of the meeting will be:
2 East Miller Senate Building
11 Bladen Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland
Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee:
Sen. Bobby Zirkin, Chair
Phone: 410-841-3131 or 301-858-3131
[email protected]
Sen. Lisa Gladden, Vice Chair
Phone: 410-841-3697 or 301-858-3697
[email protected]
Sen. James Brochin
Phone: 410-841-3648 or 301-858-3648
[email protected]
Sen. Robert Cassilly
Phone: 410-841-3158 or 301-858-3158
[email protected]
Sen. Michael Hough
Phone: 410-841-3704 or 301-858-3704
[email protected]
Sen. Susan Lee
Phone: 410-841-3124 or 301-858-3124
[email protected]
Sen. C. Anthony Muse
Phone: 410-841-3092 or 301-858-3092
[email protected]
Sen. Wayne Norman
Phone: 410-841-3603 or 301-858-3603
[email protected]
Sen. Victor Ramirez (District 47)
Phone: 410-841-3745 or 301-858-3745
[email protected]
Sen. Jamie Raskin (District 20)
Phone: 410-841-3634 or 301-858-3634
[email protected]