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Vermont committee wrestles with who pays when animals are seized under H578
Summary
Witnesses and lawmakers debated H578 provisions that would accelerate criminal seizure and civil forfeiture of animals and require owners to post security for minimal food and necessary veterinary care within 14 days; witnesses urged narrow drafting so therapeutic care is not waived and warned the state animal welfare fund lacks reserves.
MONTPELIER — Lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee pressed through detailed drafting questions Thursday as they considered H578, a bill that would speed up seizures of animals in cruelty investigations and require owners to post security to cover minimal food and necessary veterinary care.
Lisa Millett, director of Vermont’s Agency of Animal Welfare, told the committee the measure addresses a hard policy tradeoff: ensuring animals receive care while avoiding imposing impossible costs on owners. "The animal cruelty law itself sets up an obligation to pay for food for your animal and to pay for necessary vet care," Millett said, arguing cost-of-care provisions are meant to place that obligation on owners where possible.
Millett urged lawmakers to distinguish between food and therapeutic veterinary care when…
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