Senate Bill 1329, sponsored by Senator Dinniman (D), would essentially ban the use of gas chambers in animal shelters in the state of PA. This move, if passed into law, aka, Daniel’s Law, would affect approxmiately 3-5 animal shelters in western PA.
After Senator Dinniman took up this cause after Daniel, a beagle who was placed in a gas chamber in an Alabama shelter and survived, animal advocates in PA and elsewhere were extremely excited. A rally I attended was held in Malvern where Dinniman spoke of his intentions along with Daniel in attendance.
Senator Schwank, co-sponsor of the bill, appeared on my tv show to talk about this important piece of legislation. Jenny Stephens of North Penn Puppy Mill Watch, and I saw a serious issue with a section of the bill that could have potentially allowed commercial kennel operators (puppy mills) to kill their dogs again. With our combined determination and perserverance, Senator Dinniman’s office worked with me and saw the potential fallout if it progressed as it was. Eventually it was removed. A small victory but a significant one.
The momentum was still going strong among animal advocates until the bill got caught in another snag. The Governor wanted a major portion of the bill changed before it would be approved. It was changed and approved. The next step is a bit puzzling.
On March 30, 2012, SB 1329 was sent to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. It was to be introduced and come up for a vote by June 27th. State Rep. John Maher was the person to introduce the bill. He never did.
Why didn’t Rep. Maher make his move to move this bill before the summer recess and little time in the fall to pass and become law?
That is the baffling question I asked Senator’s Dinniman’s office. Rep. Maher is one to be on the side of animals. So why is he hesitating.
The answer provided to me by Adam Cirucci, Communications Director, was Rep. Maher will introduce SB 1329 in the fall. The session resumes September 24th. There is little time nor room to waste on moving this bill swiftly to turn this bill into law by the end of the year.
I was told that Rep. Maher’s office has given out multiple reasons to different sources for not introducing the bill. Senator Dinniman’s office is a bit confused but hasn’t lost hope. But they also are facing a harsh reality. With litte time to pass SB 1329 into Daniel’s Law, there is no time to waste. They understand what is at stake and trying desperately to work with Maher.
Guess we’ll have to wait to see what happens this fall. Will SB 1329 be introduced by Rep. Maher in the fall or will it languish like so many other pieces of animal legislation? Cirucci said that Maher’s office will have to be called or emailed this fall to impress upon him the importance of ending the use of the antiquated and barbaric use of gas chambers in PA animal shelters.
Seems like a no-brainer to me.