Animal Protection Legislation
 for the 2010 session of the GA General Assembly.

For more information on these bills and to see the sponsors, go to www.legis.ga.gov. To find out who your GA state officials are, go to www.congress.org. 

All of these bills will be presented this year as far as we know. There could be more.  

1. HB 219, the Antifreeze Bill . Vote Yes. Sponsor, Rep. Tommy Benton, Dist. 31, Terry England, Co-sponsor, Dist. 108. No opposition. Manufacturers are OK with it. This will make antifreeze bitter so that people and animals are not poisoned. On average 240 people and countless animals are poisoned in GA with antifreeze every year.
    
2. HB 429, the Pet Protective Orders Bill . Vote Yes. Sharon Cooper, sponsor. Rick Golich, Mark Burkhalter, Lundsford, Maddox, Donna Sheldon, Co-sponsors. Simply allows the judge to keep a spouse away from the family pet in restraining orders. In a high percentage of domestic violence (up to 71%), the pet is used as a control mechanism and is harmed or killed.
    
3. HB 109, Cock Fighting Bill . Vote Yes. Sponsors: Rep. Bob Bryant (D), Dist. 160, Mickey Stephens (D) 161, Ron Stephens (R), 164, Buddy Carter, (R), 159, Rep. Craig Gordon, (D) 162. This bill is similar to the dog fighting bill that was passed last year. Law enforcement originally asked for this bill due to the heavy crime associated with this cruel activity, i.e., gambling, drugs, illegal firearms and prostitution.There is overwhelming public support for this bill.
    
4. HB 788, New Ban Gas Chambers Bill - Vote Yes. Sponsor: Rep. Tom Knox. Bans use of gas chambers for euthanasia.
    
5. Responsible Dog Ownership (regarding dangerous dogs - no information available yet.)
   This bill has not been "dropped" yet. In other words, it has not been put forth and gotten a number, but is expected to be soon
    

Other legislation may be forthcoming. Ask for updates.