SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 78
(By Senators Foster, Edgell, McKenzie and Hunter)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the
effectiveness of existing animal protection laws as they
relate to horses.
Whereas, Recent news reports in this state have conveyed
disturbing images concerning the plight of horses who have been
severely abused or neglected by caretakers and owners, sometimes
totally abandoned to the elements to fend for themselves with
neither food nor shelter; and
Whereas, There is a compelling need to implement measures to
ensure animal control officers and law-enforcement officers are
adequately trained and equipped to effectively and diligently
address the problem of abuse and neglect of horses and to enforce
existing laws designed and intended to offer protection to horses;
and
Whereas, Clear demarcations in the law need to be prescribed
that designate exactly what agencies of government are responsible
for the investigation of cases of abuse and neglect of horses; and
Whereas, Many unanswered questions remain which bear on the
state's authority to protect horses from abuse, neglect and
abandonment, such as how long officials have to act after a
complaint is made, under what circumstances professional equine veterinarians are called into a case to decide whether a horse is
too sick or feeble to save and when and in what capacity does the
Department of Animal Health enter into an individual case involving
allegations of abuse or neglect of a horse or horses; therefore, be
it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study the effectiveness of existing animal protection
laws as they relate to horses; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2008, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.
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