HSUS Applauds Legislators for Taking Steps to Protect Pets, Urges Quick Passage
Two bills introduced in the New Jersey legislature would help protect pets from contaminated pet food and would help pet owners recoup financial losses they suffered as a result of feeding their animals the contaminated food. The Humane Society of the United States urges New Jersey legislators to quickly pass this legislation to protect pets.
The Pet Food Safety Act, A. 4171, would require all pet food sold in New Jersey be certified that it does not contain harmful byproducts or chemicals and is safe for consumption by a pet. The bill would also allow pet owners to bring civil actions for damages and allow the Attorney General to bring a civil action in the name of the state or on behalf of the injured party. The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-15th) and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-37th).
The second bill, A. 4217, would allow pet owners whose pets are injured by contaminated pet food to recover financial losses from the manufacturer, producer and distributor. However, no action can be taken against a retailer unless the retailer did not respond to the recall, or knew or should have known that the pet food was adulterated. In addition to a replacement value, the owner may be able to be reimbursed for losses such as veterinary expenses, burial expenses, reimbursement of animal training expenses, loss of companionship and emotional distress. The bill was introduced by Assemblymen Neil Cohen (D-20th), Douglas Fisher (D-3rd), and Jack Conners (D-7th).
Both bills have been referred to the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
"Pets are part of our families, and they count on us for their care," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president at The Humane Society of the United States. "We count on pet food manufacturers to provide safe food for our companion animals. The constant drumbeat of pet food recalls has shaken consumers' confidence in the pet food industry's adherence to food safety standards. Lawmakers have the opportunity to ensure pet food safety and hold the industry to a higher standard."
In the U.S. Congress, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) have introduced the Human and Pet Food Safety Act, S. 1274 and H.R. 2108, which would require the Food and Drug Administration to set processing and ingredient standards for pet food, strengthen labeling requirements, establish an early warning system and mandatory recall authority for contaminated human and pet food products, improve oversight of foreign foods, and take other steps to help prevent needless deaths and illnesses. U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J./9th) is a co-sponsor of the legislation.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
