HOUSE BILL NO. 6009
July 23, 2020, Introduced by Reps. Manoogian, Ellison, Brenda Carter, Brixie, Hope, Sowerby, Kennedy, Bolden, Guerra and Pagan and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
A bill to prohibit certain medical procedures on a dog in certain circumstances; and to prescribe civil sanctions.
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 1. As used in this act:
(a) "Breed standard" means the nonscientific set of guidelines created by an animal breed association or club that are used to ensure that the dogs produced by a breeder or breeding facility conform to the aesthetic specifications of a standardized breed.
(b) "Devocalization" or "debarking" means a surgical procedure that removes tissue from the vocal cords of a dog and permanently reduces the volume of the dog's vocalization.
(c) "Dog" means a domestic dog of any age of the species Canis familiaris.
(d) "Ear cropping" means a surgical procedure that alters or reduces the ears of a dog to modify the shape or dominant position of the ears.
(e) "Tail docking" means a surgical procedure that amputates all or a part of the tail of a dog.
(f) "Therapeutic purpose" means to address a physical or medical condition of a dog including, but not limited to, an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition that compromises the health of the dog. Therapeutic purpose does not include cosmetic or aesthetic alterations to the physical condition or appearance of the dog.
(g) "Veterinarian" means an individual licensed to practice veterinary medicine under part 188 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.18801 to 333.18838.
Sec. 3. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), an individual shall not perform by any means any of the following procedures:
(a) Tail docking.
(b) Ear cropping.
(c) Devocalization or debarking.
(d) Partial or complete onychectomy or phalangectomy including, but not limited to, the removal of the dew claw.
(e) Tendonectomy.
(f) Any other surgical procedure that cosmetically or aesthetically alters the physical condition or appearance of a dog for the ease of handling or keeping the dog or to conform to an established breed standard.
(2) A veterinarian may perform the procedures described in subsection (1) for a therapeutic purpose.
Sec. 5. An individual who violates section 3 is responsible for a civil fine of not more than $1,000.00. A violation of this section may be prosecuted by the prosecutor of the county in which the violation occurred or by the attorney general.