Latest news with #SenateBill122
Associated Press
21-04-2025
- Associated Press
New York's Highest Court Issues Blockbuster Ruling for Dog Bite Victims
'Dog Bite King' Kenneth M. Phillips Explains National Impact of Flanders v. Goodfellow ALBANY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 20, 2025 / In a landmark decision, the New York Court of Appeals has ruled that dog owners can now be held legally responsible for negligence when their dogs injure someone. The ruling in Flanders v. Goodfellow corrects a 2006 decision (Bard v. Jahnke) that denied victims the right to sue for careless handling of a dangerous dog. For the first time in nearly 20 years, dog bite victims in New York can pursue compensation based on negligence - a legal right that residents of all other states have always Bite News A vicious dog snarls at the words 'Dog Bite News' and the website title, ' Despite this progress, New York remains behind the majority of U.S. states, which provide dog bite victims with a third legal option: statutory liability. This form of 'almost strict' liability allows victims to recover compensation without needing to prove the dog's past behavior or the owner's negligence - making it especially vital in cases where the owner is a friend, neighbor, or family member. The Flanders case has national significance because it also holds that negligence and the one bite rule are entirely separate grounds of liability. Many state courts and legislatures have mistakenly treated them as one and the same. The New York Court of Appeals' ruling has the potential to influence reforms in other states and improve dog bite law throughout the country. Attorney Kenneth M. Phillips, the nation's leading authority on dog bite law, has long advocated for reform. In 2019, he worked with State Senator Robert G. Ortt, the author of Senate Bill 122, to enact a comprehensive dog bite statute based on Phillips' Model Dog Bite Law. The bill stalled in committee, but Phillips continues to press lawmakers in New York and other states to adopt laws that protect victims and reflect modern expectations of personal responsibility. 'Dog bite laws must evolve with the times. Most Americans have three legal paths to justice. New Yorkers now have two. That's progress - but not enough,' said Phillips. 'A dog owner is guilty of negligence when he or she ignores a significant risk from a pet, whether or not anyone was harmed by it in the past.' Contact InformationKenneth Phillips Attorney at Law 310-994-6643 SOURCE: Law Offices of Kenneth M. Phillips press release
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky animal rights advocates speak out against ‘puppy mill bill'
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Senate Bill 122, often referred to as the 'puppy mill bill,' is back in the spotlight. Introduced earlier this year, the bill would prohibit pet shops from selling dogs or cats that didn't come from an animal shelter or qualified breeder. Powell County rescue team to halt emergency responses to Red River Gorge Those who oppose the bill alleged that it's all smoke and mirrors, and the establishments listed are puppy mills disguised as 'qualified breeders.' 'This bill would effectively bar communities from being able to keep those businesses out of their community, and it would allow those businesses to flourish,' said Melissa Barlow, President of Kentuckians Vote for Animals. Shelters across the state are at capacity. Some of them even had to temporarily close. Barlow said this bill would make the issue worse by removing existing ordinances that prohibit pet stores with puppy mill animals from setting up. 'If communities decide, and their elected officials on their behalf, decide that they don't want these businesses, the state should not be able to come in and have government overreach and tell them that they have to allow that,' said Barlow The bill passed in the Senate Agriculture Committee, but not in the Senate itself. University of Kentucky under federal fire for relationship with DEI doctoral program Kentucky animal rights advocates speak out against 'puppy mill bill' Protests continue in Danville, demanding officer be dismissed after controversial arrests Another bill that relates to licenses for animal health professionals was amended to also include the pet shop prohibitions. Barlow said, 'We would hope that instead of focusing on taking all the attention with an issue like this, that the legislature would as a whole—and there are a lot of ones that they understand—that more would understand, the animal overpopulation problem and help us come up with a solution.' The amendment failed in a Friday morning vote, but Barlow encourages concerned animal lovers to continue reaching out to their elected officials to make it known that they don't want any provisions of Senate Bill 122 passed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill to regulate sale of cats, dogs in Kentucky, overriding local bans, fails
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — An effort to bring a uniform retail pet sale law to the Commonwealth fell short in Frankfort. At least 5 cities and 1 county in Kentucky, including Lexington, have adopted local ordinances banning any over-the-counter sale of dogs and cats in an effort to turn away businesses from 'puppy mills' and encourage buyers to purchase from rescues. Kentucky severe weather deaths rise to 23 Soldier had 90 images, 70 videos containing child sexual abuse while stationed in Fort Campbell Bill to regulate sale of cats, dogs in Kentucky, overriding local bans, fails Executives for the retail chain Petland argued that the ordinances are threatening their stores and that they've tried to offer transparency about their breeders. 'We're just saying don't shut us down overnight, regulate us, pass more bills, give us civil penalties. We will abide by all of your rules and regulations,' Mehek Cooke, a lobbyist for Petland, told lawmakers on the Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday. 'They do not come from regulated breeders. They come matted, covered in feces and urine. They're scared. They're shaking. They're packed in cages,' Miriam Arena told reporters following the meeting. Arena is a former employee of Petland Lexington who says she was employed there for six months. 'We have a quilt work of regulation, and that's, I think, what this legislation was trying to prevent. Just a uniform opportunity to regulate places where people can buy animals,' Sen. Robin Webb (D-Grayson) told FOX 56 Bondi warns states to comply with Trump order on transgender athletes Bill to regulate sale of cats, dogs in Kentucky, overriding local bans, fails Lawmakers Unite for Funding for 9/11 Victims, State-Sponsored Terrorism Claims Webb was among those in favor of Senate Bill 122 and felt the proposal was pro-business. However, enough lawmakers had concerns that the bill could step on local control or weren't strong enough to effectively penalize puppy mills. 'I still have some concerns about the back end of the bill when it comes to regulating and what those fines look like,' Sen. Matt Deneen said while explaining his 'no' vote. The bill failed in committee on a tie vote of 5 to 5. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kentucky bill could reverse efforts to curb puppy mill suppliers
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — A bill introduced in the Senate has garnered serious concern from Kentucky animal rescue organizations. Many believe it would endanger previously passed ordinances prohibiting the sale of puppies and kittens from breeders. According to the Kentucky General Assembly, Senate Bill 122 would prohibit pet shops from selling dogs or cats that didn't come from an animal shelter or 'qualified breeder.' The bill would also prohibit local governments from adopting or enforcing rules, regulations, codes, or ordinances to ban the sale of breeders entirely. Is my pet's microchip active? Ky. vet chimes in following servicer's abrupt closure Paws 4 the Cause, a nonprofit in Lexington dedicated to animal rescue, said the suppliers listed in SB 122 are puppy mills disguised as 'qualified breeders.' Animal rights advocates also claim that the bill is being pushed by Petland, a store chain with three Kentucky locations, which is reportedly looking to expand. 'Like last year, it's going to take all of us to keep this bad bill from becoming law!' Paws 4 the Cause wrote on Facebook Wednesday. Kentucky bill could reverse efforts to curb puppy mill suppliers Bill would restrict junk food from SNAP benefits in Kentucky Former Kentucky football player found dead in Las Vegas In 2024, Lexington passed an ordinance banning the sale of puppies and kittens from breeders in a 12 to 1 vote. 'It's not humane to have a mass breeding operation like that,' Perry Lusby, a former Petland employee, told FOX 56. 'It's not fair to the adult dogs; it's not fair to the puppies; they're being thrown around from place to place; it's not moral.' 'Public records, inspection reports from the USDA, and other documents show us clearly that pet shops that participate in the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet shops are by and large sourcing them from puppy and kitten mills,' Kentucky state director of the Humane Society of the United States Todd Blevins told council members back in April 2024. Petland announces plan to fight Lexington retail pet sale ban 'Under this ordinance, people will still be able to arrange to buy a puppy online or over the phone, meeting up in a stranger's home or in a public place. This legislation does NOT prevent bad breeders from selling to Lexingtonians. Rather, it encourages it, because soon, consumers will no longer have the option to visit a pet store like ours, which complies with all state and federal laws,' Elizabeth Kunzelman, vice president of legislative and public affairs for Petland, told FOX 56. 'There is no evidence that a single puppy mill has been shut down because of a ban. HSUS has vilified pet stores in an effort that does nothing to help animal welfare. Now the only regulated source of puppies in Lexington will be gone.' Animal rights advocates in Kentucky are asking voters to call legislators at 1-800-372-7181 and voice their opposition to SB 122. Madylin Goins contributed to this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia lawmakers work to reform state brewery regulations
Current Georgia law does not allow small brewers, such as brewpubs, to sell their own products on the market. Senate Bill 122, the Craft Beer and Local Economy Revitalization Act, proposed in the 2025 legislative session would change that. The bill would allow brewers and brew pubs to have a limited wholesale license to sell their own products, though it comes with conditions. To have a wholesale license as a small brewer, sales of the products must not be higher than 15% of their overall sales in the previous calendar year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Additionally, the bill creates a provision to allow event holders selling drinks for charitable events to sell alcoholic drinks on site, so long as they are properly permitted for a 'bona fide nonprofit civic organization.' Brewers and brewpubs will also be able to donate malt beverages to charitable events, though the legislation stipulates that how much is donated 'shall not exceed the amount necessary' for the event itself. Any beverages not consumed during the event must be returned within 24 hours of the event's closure or when the event permit expires, whichever comes later. Sales of malt beverages by brewers will also no longer be subject to a daily maximum if the bill passes. Current law sets a maximum of 288 ounces sold per day. TRENDING STORIES: Cobb County to hold special election for empty commission seat after judge's order Little Caesar's manager defends sign saying suspicious people will be reported to ICE GA lawmakers move to make threats against schools by teens transfer from juvenile court to adult However, they would still be limited to a 6,000 barrels per year cap 'among all brewer's licensed premises making such sales.' In any given calendar year, if SB 122 passes, brewers would be able to sell up to 3,000 barrels of malt beverages produced at their licensed premises to wholesale retailers in Georgia, so long as they are located within 100 miles of the brewery. The businesses will also be able to sell, deliver and ship to other licensed brewers, as well as receive and acquire shipments from others. The Georgia Craft Brewers Guild has come out in support of the legislation, citing both its strong bipartisan support and how they say it would modernize the current craft beer laws in the state. The guild said breweries 'serve as economic drivers, providing jobs, fostering tourism, and creating vibrant community spaces,' but that current law limits their ability to succeed, causing small breweries to 'close at an alarming rate.' RECENT BREWERY CLOSURES: 2 more local breweries to close to end 2024 as craft beer sales struggle Beloved brewery on Atlanta's westside shutting its doors Torched Hop Brewing Company to shut its doors this month Georgia brewery plans to close, says 'prohibition-era' law is holding them back Beloved north Georgia brewery fighting to stay open despite being $1.1M in debt 'Georgia's craft breweries are more than just places to grab a pint—they are vital to our communities. When a brewery closes, it creates a ripple effect that harms local economies and limits consumer choice. Nearly every other state gives breweries more flexibility to grow, and it's time for Georgia to catch up,' Joseph Cortes, Executive Director of the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild, said in a statement supporting the bill. Roswell State Sen. John Albers said he introduced the bill as a way to support Georgia small businesses, saying that 'our breweries deserve an equal chance to compete and deserve our support by reducing burdensome and inconsistent regulations.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
