State Rep. Brenda Kupchick (R-Fairfield) and Sen. Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) are co-chairing a legislative task force that was established during the 2013 legislative session to provide a detailed report for the legislature. The Environment Committee is expected to introduce legislation in response to the proliferation of puppy mill pets sold in pet stores for the 2014 Legislative Session.
The Task Force to Study the Proliferation of Dogs and Cats sourced from inhumane origins and sold in Connecticut pet shops has scheduled two public hearings. The task force study shall include, but not be limited to, an examination of how to amend the general statutes to provide for the reduction of such proliferation.
The first public hearing is Wednesday, Oct. 16, 501 Kings Hwy East in Fairfield. The boardroom on the second floor in the Fairfield Public Schools Central Office. People can beging signing up to provide testimony at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m. the public hearing will start and sign-up will be open throughout the meeting.
The topic of this hearing will be “Improving the Pet Sales to Ensure Healthy Animals in Connecticut.”
The second hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. in the Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Ave., Hartford, Room 1D.
The topic is “Should Puppies and Cats be Banned for Sale in Pet Stores?”
Both hearings will follow typical procedures which are as follows:
Speakers will sign up no earlier than one hour before the hearing outside of the room. Sign-ups will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sign up will also take place during the hearing.
Speakers will be limited to three minutes of spoken testimony, after which, the members of the Task Force will have the option to ask questions.
To submit written testimony, please e-mail it no later than the day before the hearing to CTPS@cga.ct.gov. Testimony will be accepted at the time of speaker sign-ups, however if not submitting electronically, a speaker must bring fifteen copies for the Task Force.