Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
House Journal Written Remarks, 3rd Reading
House Bill No. 2725, House Draft 1
Relating to Animals
Monday, March 2, 2010
I rise in support.
House Bill 2725, House Draft 1 further protects the health and well being of pet animals. The bill creates a new definition of “primary pet enclosure,” which means any kennel, cage, or structure used to restrict a pet animal to a limited amount of space. It requires that an area of confinement in a primary pet enclosure provide access to shelter; is constructed of safe materials to protect an animal from injury; enable an animal to be clean, dry, and free from excess waste or other contaminants that could affect the animal’s health ; provide an animal with a solid surface or resting platform that is large enough for the animal to lie down in a normal manner; provide an animal with a solid surface (in the case of a rabbit or guinea pig the surface may be welded wire of sufficient size to allow feces to pass through, yet comfortably support the animal) or resting platform (in the case of birds, a perch) that is large enough for the animal to lie or perch upon in a normal manner. In addition, the bill mandates that a primary pet enclosure provide sufficient space to allow an animal to easily stand, sit, lie, turn around, and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable normal position for the animal without making physical contact with any other animal enclosure; and interact safely with other animals within the enclosure.
Owners must also provide veterinary care when required to prevent the pet animal from suffering. The definition of “pet animal” was amended to mean a dog, cat, domesticated rabbit so long as not bred or raised for meat production purposes, guinea pig, or caged birds (passeriformes, piciformes, and psittaciformes only) so long as not bred or raised for egg or meat production purposes.
Thank you.
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 