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Witnesses urge models and funding fixes to speed disposition of seized animals and reduce shelter burden
Summary
Experts at the House Judiciary hearing recommended Minnesota- or Texas-style automatic hearings, clearer registry rules for cost-of-care disbursements, and training and certification for custodial caregivers after shelters described multimonth holding costs and unpaid invoices.
Montpelier — At Wednesdays House Judiciary hearing on H.578, multiple witnesses urged lawmakers to pair new civil tools with operational fixes so seized animals do not languish in shelters and rescues.
Lisa Millett, director of the Division of Animal Welfare, said the legislations civil forfeiture and cost-of-care tools can help but, as drafted, might not shorten hold times. "In some cases, where a defendant has the money to pay the cost of care, it would actually extend the amount of time they have to be held," Millett said, explaining that paying bond can preserve an owners title and keep animals in rescue custody for…
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