State Pet Registration Bill now on HOLD

State "Pet Tax" Gets Stopped in Its TrACKS:  Pet registration Fees "Hit" all non-LiVestock Animals

Denver, CO:   State house bill HB24-1163 aimed at creating an online pet registry for the state of  Colorado has just been postponed indefinitely.  State representative Regina English (D-El Paso County, CO) told FOX21 the original idea behind the pet tax was inspired by concerns for senior citizens and their pets. 

 
However, in less than a week after being introduced, State Rep English had it pulled it from the docket after receivng death threats over the proposed legislation.

As written the bill would have required a yearly fees: 

• $8.50 per animal with a designated caregiver
• $16 per animal that is a dog or cat that is not neutered or spayed and has a designated caregiver
• $25 per animal without a designated caregiver

These fees would be separate from other fees and registrations currently required by individual jurisdictions.   More importantly, fees would apply to all non-livestock.  his includes dogs, cats, and ferrets, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and even invertebrates, leaving no owner untouched. Aquarium fish would be charged. Even a child’s ant farm would not be exempt from this sweeping legislation.  

This bill would have placed an enormous burden on ferret shelters, breeders, and multi-ferret households. 

Had it passed, the bill would have made it unlawful to: 

• own any pet without registering the animal;
• refuse or fail to comply with the provisions of the bill;
• make a material misstatement in a registration application, a registration renewal application, or to the department of agriculture; or
• refuse or fail to comply with any rules or regulations. 

All of above would be punishable by a Civil Penalty in an amount set by the commissioner but not to exceed $100 per unlawful act. The bill stated "If the Commissioner is unable to collect the civil penalty, the commissioner may sue to recover the civil penalty or refuse to renew a registration."

The proposed bill would recommend pet owners designate a caregiver for their pets in the event the owner is unable to do so. If a designated caretaker cannot be located or refuses to take custody of the animal, the pet will be taken to the animal shelter.

Originally scheduled for to be heard on February 22 at the state's capitol in Denver, the "Pet Registration" bill is now postponed indefinitely.  “I can confidently say that this bill is dead,” Rep. English said.
READ MORE>> NEWS Reaction to Colorado State Pet Registration Bill. 

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