Regulatory

Davis, Calif. -- Dr. Michael Ziccardi is coordinating plans to protect and rescue sea turtles and other marine mammals from the oil disaster on the Gulf Coast.

Bel Air, Md. -- The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) wants the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take more steps in identifying reasons for an increases in adverse events associated with spot-on flea-and-tick control products.

Madison, Wis. -- A 32-year veteran of high-risk research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine was suspended from working on any projects above Level 1 biosecurity clearance after his unauthorized experiments on an antibiotic-resistant strain of brucellosis were discovered.

Future plans include designing curriculum for regulatory science programs.

Frankfort, Ky. -- Kentucky veterinarians currently prevented from reporting abuse of a client?s animals may have new freedoms under a proposed law under consideration by the state legislature.

Honolulu -- Hawaiian lawmakers are working toward giving the state Board of Veterinary Medicine more power.

Washington, D.C. -- Federal legislators introduced a bill that would formally establish a chief veterinary officer position at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Washington -- The sale of videos depicting animal cruelty and torture for entertainment purposes no longer is illegal, according to a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court.

A compounding lab whose was involved in the deaths of 21 polo horses last April is being targeted by the FDA.

Boston -- Devocalizing a dog or cat without medical cause will be a felony in Massachusetts if Gov. Deval Patrick signs a newly presented bill into law.

Columbus, Ohio -- Two veterinarians were named to the new 13-member livestock care board approved by Ohio voters in November 2009 and clearly defined by state legislators just last week.

Washington - A USDA veterinarian's congressional testimony ignited new debate about enforcing animal welfare standards in slaughter plants.

Athens, Ga. - Finding the perfect first job upon becoming a DVM can be a challenging feat, but for Tim Holt, getting several prominent positions as a veterinarian was not a problem - and he never graduated from veterinary school.

An amendment could exempt certain businesses, including veterinarians, from the Red Flags Rule.

Washington -- AVMA provides in-depth information on the necessity of antibiotic use for treating and preventing disease in companion animals and livestock.

Boston, Mass. -- The Massachusetts House of Representatives has voted to ban surgical debarking of dogs and cats unless a licensed veterinarian deems the procedure medically necessary. The vote was nearly unanimous, passing 150-1.

Stay up-to-date on regulatory and legislative changes by state..

Providence, R.I. -- A state senator withdrew legislation that would have forced animal-control officers to impound feral cats.

Washington-- A USDA veterinarian is scheduled to testify today that illegal slaughterhouse practices are jeopardizing safety standards.

Richmond, Va. - Virginia lawmakers are takin gnote of the animal-welfare movement and have decided to create a new subcommittee to give greater attention to the state's welfare issues.

Dover, Del. - The Delaware state veterinarian now will have greater power over the ownership, sale, display and rehabilitation of exotic animals.

West Hollywood -- Retail pet sales will become illegal in West Hollywood beginning March 19.

A ban on cat and dog retail sales is very close to becoming official.

National report -- Wisconsin and New Hampshire lawmakers signed on to curtail unscrupulous commercial dog breeders -- a trend that racked up some 90 pieces of legislation in 33 states last year alone.

National report -- Animal welfare was predicted to be one of the hot spots of veterinary medicine in 2010, and state legislators already are proving the prediction to be true.

Changes in state laws shut down commercial dog kennels in Pa.

A new campaign to redefine livestock housing in Ohio was announced Feb. 1.

Columbus, Ohio -- Membership of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board, created through a livestock welfare ballot initiative in November 2009, is expected to be in place by March, according to the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).