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State's attorney urges faster seizures, registry and steady funding as committee reviews H 578
Summary
State's Attorney Alyanna Gerhard told the Judiciary committee that delayed surrender and limited shelter capacity force veterinarians and volunteers to shoulder large rescue costs, and urged H 578 include a 10‑day contest deadline, a statewide animal‑abuse registry and dedicated funding for triage and rehabilitation.
State's Attorney Alyanna Gerhard of Memorial County told the Judiciary committee on Jan. 14 that delays in surrendering abused animals and a shortage of shelter and veterinary capacity are worsening cruelty cases and that legislation under consideration (H 578) could address those gaps.
Gerhard recounted Trooper, a dog found emaciated and rated 1 on a 1–9 body-condition scale who required more than $10,000 in emergency veterinary care. "We can't, veterinarians can't keep donating their care. Animal shelters can't keep donating food and services to these animals," Gerhard said. She added that Trooper's owner pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty and received a six‑month to five‑year jail sentence and conditions barring pet possession.
The testimony foregrounded three proposals Gerhard urged lawmakers to adopt. First, she proposed allowing officers executing a search or seizure…
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