A good start in Tallahassee
December 6th, 2011 by admin
This morning, House Bill 479 was reported favorably out of the Health & Human Services Quality Subcommittee with a unanimous vote. The bill is the first animal-related bill of the 2012 legislative session to make it out of a committee.
Among other things, the bill would restrict euthanasia by intracardial injection (an injection of drugs directly into the heart of an animal) only upon a dog or cat who is unconscious. Intracardial injection, commonly known as “heart-sticking,” is extremely painful and should only be done if an animal is under sedation. Earlier this year, Miami-Dade Animal Services came under fire when a worker used the so-called “heart stick” method to kill cats, in violation of shelter procedures. HB 479 would make it clear that incracardial injection on conscious animals is prohibited in Florida.
HB 479 has three more committees to move through before a vote by the full Florida House of Representatives. The companion bill in the Florida Senate (SB 654) has yet to be heard in committee. Please contact your state representative and state senator and ask them to support this legislation (click here to find your elected officials).
Visit ARFF’s website for updates on animal protection legislation.