D.C. Act 22-8. Extreme Weather Protection for Animals Emergency Amendment Act of 2017.
AN ACT
To amend, on an emergency basis, section 1 of Chapter 106 of the Acts of the Legislative Assembly to clarify the requirements for protecting a dog from extreme weather conditions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Extreme Weather Protection for Animals Emergency Amendment Act of 2017".
Sec. 2. Section 1 of Chapter 106 of the Acts of the Legislative Assembly, approved August 23, 1871 (D.C. Official Code § 22-1001), is amended by adding a new subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
"(a-1)(1) A dog owner shall provide his or her dog with protection from the weather anytime the Mayor has declared a cold emergency alert. Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1) of this section, failure to provide a dog with protection from the weather shall be an offense punished by a fine not exceeding $250.
"(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the term "protection from the weather" means providing access to a shelter that is suitable for the age, condition, size, and type of each dog by doing the following:
"(A) Accounting for the space needed for each dog, and ensuring that the space protects the dog from injury, rain, sleet, snow, hail, the adverse effects of cold, physical suffering, and impairment of health; and
"(B) Ensuring that the shelter:
"(i) Is raised at least 4 inches from the ground;
"(ii) Includes a heat-retaining, moisture-wicking substance such as straw; and
"(iii) Has a covered wind block.".
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement.
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
Sec. 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than 90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788; D.C. Official Code § 1-204.12(a)).
