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Senator Rory Respicio Files Two Important Bills to Further Animal Welfare on Guam
Added: (Tue Jan 13 2004)
In cooperation with Guam Animals In Need (“GAIN”) Senator Respicio introduced Bill 249 to allow the relaxation of quarantine rules for animals being brought into Guam and Bill 248 to allow humane euthanasia of animals by personnel at the GAIN Animal Shelter. After filing the legislation Senator Respicio stated, “These are very important pieces of legislation that will create a more humane environment for animals in Guam.” In addition these two pieces of legislation will assist in the Senator’s effort to eliminate unnecessary government hurdles and bureaucratic red tape.
Bill 249 will allow animals to be brought into Guam and through quarantine in a very expeditious fashion. Hawaii, another rabies free jurisdiction, recently enacted a similar program with great success. While the current longer quarantine procedure was necessary to protect Guam in the past, new technology readily available in Guam and similar to what is available in Hawaii will allow animal owners to bring pets into Guam with out the prolong wait. With a minimal amount of red tape and aggravation under the proposed legislation pets may only need to wait five (5) days or less in quarantine. In addition with this new shorter period, some pet owners may now contemplate taking their pets on extended trips with them without worrying about placing their pet in a long quarantine on its return.
Bill 248 will allow suffering animals that are sick, injured or unweaned to be humanly put to sleep without the need to wait for prolonged periods to be brought to a veterinarian. In some instances animals are suffering for prolonged periods waiting for an available veterinarian under the present law. The regime outlined in this legislation has been successfully implemented in 28 states. In the states that have adopted this type of regime the impact on animals’ suffering has been significant, without causing any danger to the general public.
This legislation will put into place a fair and effective program to create a higher level of Animal welfare in Guam. In addition, these new programs having been proven in other jurisdiction to maintain effective safeguards to protect the health, safety and welfare of people and animals, while eliminating some undue burdens.