The 2006 Colorado Legislative Session ended in May.  The legislature is currently in recess until January 2007.  Here is the status of 2006 legislative bills affecting Colorado dog owners:

If you would like the state legislative liaison to speak at your dog club meeting please contact us by e-mail.

HB 06-1146 Concerning the Proper Confinement of Animals.  Did NOT pass.  This bill would have established minimal standards for the proper confinement of animals.  The CFDC opposed this bill for the following reasons:

1.       Almost all provisions of this bill are already found in current Law.

2.       The bill is too prescriptive in some areas and too broad in others. It is so broad as to entrap people that are not abusing their dogs, and allows a conviction for cruelty to animals and impoundment and forfeiture of the animal.

3.       Current law gives animal control officers more leeway in determining cruelty to animals. This bill may put them in an untenable position.  What is the standard requirement for “regular cleaning”? 

4.       Who will determine if a shelter is appropriate to an animal’s breed and physical condition?  Will animal control determine the differences in what a Saint Bernard or Poodle needs?  Are they licensed practitioners to adequately assess “physical condition”?  These are subjective requirements in the bill.

5.       This is a dog law and should not cover all the other animals that do not go outside.

6.       When specific language such as this is added to law, it may limit the more general areas of law and could preclude the enforcement of more general laws.  It would then make other areas of the law become more prescriptive to match this law.

7.       The bill addresses all pet animals, but is written to reflect confinement of dogs.

HB 06-1057 Concerning Criminal Acts Involving Animals. Passed.  This bill requires medical doctors to report serious dog bites to law enforcement when the doctor believes that the bite was inflicted on the patient by a dangerous dog.  The bill, by reference to CRS 18-9-204.5, defines dangerous dog, bodily injury, and serious bodily injury.  The CFDC supported this bill.

HB 06-1132 Concerning the disposition of Animals Impounded under Animal Cruelty Laws... Passed. This bill revised existing laws dealing with fees related to the impoundment of animals pursuant to a financial bond.  The bill permits owners to request a hearing regarding the reasonableness of charges, and addresses disbursement of proceeds when an animal is sold.  The CFDC monitored this bill.

SB06-025 Concerning Modifications to the Statute Governing Unlawful Ownership of a Dangerous Dog.  Passed.    This bill strengthened the existing dangerous dog law to require owners of dogs that have been adjudicated as dangerous to provide written disclosure to veterinarians, groomers, subsequent owners, and other care providers that the dog is dangerous.  This language permits these otherwise unsuspecting providers to be able to take safety precautions when dealing with dangerous dogs.  The bill mandates when a court should order destruction of a dangerous dog, and also permits the impound agency to determine where the dog should be held.  The CFDC supported this bill.

SB 06-054 Concerning the Repeal of Provisions that Prohibit the Local Regulation of Dangerous Dogs in a Manner that is Specific to Breed.  Did NOT pass.    This bill attempted to repeal the state law that prohibits cities and counties from enacting breed specific legislation.  The CFDC opposed this bill.