Bill Would Allow Courts to Charge Pet Owners for Animal Cruelty Costs
By: Dawn White
Updated: February 21, 2013
FREDERICK, MD- People in Maryland who are convicted of animal cruelty could have to pay for the costs of caring for their pets.
A bill in the Maryland General Assembly would allow courts to charge a pet owner the costs of removing, housing, treating and possibly euthanizing an abuse animal.
This would be in addition to any other fines the abuser pays.
"It can't be anything but beneficial. It's going to help the county. It's definitely going to help the taxpayers recoup some of those fees that we have to spend," says Sgt. David Luckenbaugh, supervisor at Frederick County Animal Control.
Currently, taxpayers have to shell out the money.
"When we deal with large scale animal hoarders, mostly with cats, it gets very expensive," says Luckenbaugh. "One case we recently had, the bill was over $100,000 from start to finish."
Luckenbaugh says this would not only take the burden off residents but also help shelters throughout the state.
"I think it's important because it'll help hold the owners responsible for everything that took place under their care," says Luckenbaugh. "For an extended period of time they neglected those animals, so when the burden is placed on the county or the animal control agency, it will help us and help the taxpayers as well."
The bill will have a hearing in Annapolis on March 14th. You can read it by clicking here.
A bill in the Maryland General Assembly would allow courts to charge a pet owner the costs of removing, housing, treating and possibly euthanizing an abuse animal.
This would be in addition to any other fines the abuser pays.
"It can't be anything but beneficial. It's going to help the county. It's definitely going to help the taxpayers recoup some of those fees that we have to spend," says Sgt. David Luckenbaugh, supervisor at Frederick County Animal Control.
Currently, taxpayers have to shell out the money.
"When we deal with large scale animal hoarders, mostly with cats, it gets very expensive," says Luckenbaugh. "One case we recently had, the bill was over $100,000 from start to finish."
Luckenbaugh says this would not only take the burden off residents but also help shelters throughout the state.
"I think it's important because it'll help hold the owners responsible for everything that took place under their care," says Luckenbaugh. "For an extended period of time they neglected those animals, so when the burden is placed on the county or the animal control agency, it will help us and help the taxpayers as well."
The bill will have a hearing in Annapolis on March 14th. You can read it by clicking here.
Comments
Why shouldn't they be held resposible? Get the money from them before they go to jail!
Sandy S.
February 22, 2013 at 10:30 am
