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Regulations & Legislation
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Bill would give veterinarians OK to carry controlled drugs outside practices
5/19/2013
AVMA: Statutory change allows veterinarians to provide 'complete care'
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Panel airs FDA restrictions on livestock antibiotics use
4/25/2013
Achieving greater veterinary oversight not simple
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Proposals to tax veterinary services draw fire
2/21/2013
Veterinarians mobilize against tax reforms in Minn., Ohio
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Veterinarians to navigate new rules for hazardous substances
2/7/2013
OSHA alters labels, paperwork to mirror global standards
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AVMA’s role as education accreditor scrutinized
12/11/2012
USDE addresses critics as scheduled review of COE draws near
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Regulators scrutinize arcane realm of pet drug distribution
10/3/2012
Federal Trade Commission workshop examines market competition
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Insiders lift veil off veterinary drug distribution practices
9/25/2012
Upcoming FTC meeting prompts disclosures
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Are pet drugs like contact lenses?
9/19/2012
Lessons in market competition and the law
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FDA poised to tighten oversight of therapeutic pet foods
9/14/2012
Agency: Diets designed to allay, treat disease need veterinary directive
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AVMA: Fairness to Pet Owners Act ‘dead’
8/9/2012
Veterinarians urged to weigh in on drug distribution with FTC
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California spay-neuter license plate backers near goal
7/27/2012
State veterinary board to establish fund-distribution rules
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Pet owners blame six animal deaths on tainted dog food
6/6/2012
Salmonella outbreak triggers lawsuit against Diamond Pet Foods
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New labels for spot-on parasite treatments expected
5/16/2012
EPA: Adverse reactions decline since 2008 surge in complaints
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Lawmakers kill legislation allowing lay dentistry
4/19/2012
Organized veterinary medicine celebrates; other side fixed on continuing battle
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FDA seeks veterinary oversight of 'medically important' antibiotics in livestock
4/11/2012
Nonbinding proposal would relabel many drugs
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Judge orders FDA to assess antibiotic safety in livestock
4/2/2012
AVMA responds with support for the judicious use of antimicrobials
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FDA probes illegal sale of handheld dental X-ray devices
2/10/2012
Agency alerts dentists, veterinarians to dangers of unregulated units
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Ohio strips 'pit bull' from state's dangerous dog definition
2/9/2012
Lawmakers send HB 14 to governor's desk
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AVMA backs legislation forcing online sellers to remit sales taxes
1/30/2012
Marketplace Equity Act could 'level the playing field,' group says
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GHLIT medical coverage faces uncertain future
1/12/2012
Healthcare reform could kill program by 2014
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FDA limits cephalosporin use in livestock to curb drug resistance
1/6/2012
AVMA calls new restrictions reasonable
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Veterinary accreditation papers missing? Call USDA
11/17/2011
Agency says applicants should have documentation by now
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AVMA challenges Wal-Mart’s push to make veterinarians script out
10/5/2011
Fairness to Pet Owners Act sits at controversy's center
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Australian officials to kill pit bulls, other 'dangerous' breeds
9/29/2011
Knee-jerk reaction to maulings prompts overregulation, veterinarians say
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Waste disposal, veterinary style
9/16/2011
Two new web resources address safe handling practices
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U.K. pet travel regulations eliminate quarantine
9/7/2011
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States consider controlling rabies vaccination intervals
8/12/2011
Veterinarians question interference with medical discretion
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Antibiotics: spinning the data from Denmark
5/27/2011
Antibiotics do little to enhance growth, yet producers still use them
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Antibiotics: precaution vs. proof
5/26/2011
Weighing risk to public health from antibiotics used in livestock
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FDA: Food-animal antibiotic consumption dwarfs human medical use
5/25/2011
New data reveal flaws in figures presented by AVMA, industry
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Scrutiny of livestock antibiotic use pressures veterinary profession
5/24/2011
AVMA negotiates shifting regulatory landscape
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Federal bill tackles rural veterinary shortages
5/13/2011
Veterinary Services Investment Act to be introduced
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Only veterinarian in Senate bows out
4/5/2011
Sen. John Ensign avoids what could have been a messy race
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USDA veterinary accreditation program still accepting applications
3/1/2011
Overhaul well underway; online training programs coming in spring
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Campaign to defend veterinary compounding may be misdirected
2/18/2011
Lack of specifics from FDA begets confusion
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N.D. bill permits veterinarians to seize animals being treated inhumanely
2/11/2011
Public hearing scheduled today
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Confusion abounds concerning status of therapeutic pet foods
2/1/2011
Recent FDA-CVM statement brings issue to forefront
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Texas bill seeks to waive confidentiality privileges for deadbeat clients
1/26/2011
Legislation would protect veterinarians collecting unpaid debts
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N.Y. bill seeks ban on giving antibiotics to healthy livestock
12/30/2010
Veterinary profession expected to weigh in
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California veterinarians target unlicensed care
12/14/2010
Conflict between profession, lay practitioners intensifies
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FDA releases government data on antibiotic use in food animals
12/9/2010
Non-therapeutic quantities not specified, leaving key questions unanswered
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Congress grants Red Flags Rule exemption to veterinarians, others
12/7/2010
Legislation ready for President’s signature
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Veterinarians poised to be exempted from Red Flags Rule
12/6/2010
Bill scheduled for consideration by Congress Tuesday
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Texas veterinarians author legislation to bridle lay dentists
12/3/2010
Judge's order prompts end to regulatory crackdown on unlicensed teeth floating
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AVMA condemns activists targeting UC Davis researchers
12/1/2010
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Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program gets off ground
11/9/2010
First USDA awards go to 62 recipients
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FAA spot inspects veterinary practices
11/5/2010
Surprise audits nab those who improperly package hazardous substances
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Lawsuit raises questions about sale of drugs to non-veterinarian
10/13/2010
Case brought by Bayer against shelter rescheduled for Dec. 2 hearing
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Veterinary regulators poised to define parameters of lay dentistry
9/9/2010
Stakeholders across America watch as Texas takes on controversial issue
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Bills regulating pet health insurance, declaw near enactment
8/27/2010
Measure that seeks clarity for indemnity programs awaits Calif. governor's signature
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Propofol shortage hits veterinary medicine
8/26/2010
Clinics turn to alternatives with production of PropoFlo, Rapinovet stopped
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Last-minute accreditation application worries arise
7/30/2010
As deadline nears, USDA officials counsel patience
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FDA investigating accidental hormone exposure problem
7/29/2010
Issues safety alert on topical estrogen spray product Evamist
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Clarity sought for pet health insurance programs
7/23/2010
Calif. bill attempts to regulate indemnity plans for pets
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National Veterinary Accreditation Program deadline nears
6/18/2010
USDA revision requires all participants to reapply by Aug. 2
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New law complicates taxes for veterinary practices
6/14/2010
AVMA, business groups back repeal of rule passed with health care reform
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U.S. EPA confirms problems exist with spot-on flea, tick treatments
3/18/2010
Agency proposes changes in labeling, safety monitoring
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Proposal to mandate bittering agent for antifreeze hits Congress
3/4/2010
10 states require ethylene glycol-based coolant to include denatonium benzoate
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Animal welfare initiative could divide Ohio veterinarians
2/11/2010
HSUS 'serious' about winning ballot measure to ban cramped housing for farm animals
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National Veterinary Accreditation Program under revision
1/8/2010
All members must reapply by Aug. 2 to remain in voluntary program
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Seven labels tied to Teva ketamine recall, FDA says
12/31/2009
Details from FDA could alleviate confusion for practitioners
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Drug maker sues compounding pharmacy
12/17/2009
Bayer says Wedgewood infringing on patent
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Merial reports Immiticide, Heartgard shortages
12/5/2009
Rationing of Immiticide leaves some veterinarians in a lurch
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FTC delays Red Flags enforcement, new legislation could exempt DVMs
11/3/2009
VIN, AVMA offer model programs to help veterinarians get into compliance
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Regulatory fee increases raise veterinarians' hackles
10/29/2009
California board readies to impose stiff price increases
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Calif. practitioners must submit drug reports online by Nov. 1
10/20/2009
Some predict California's reporting requirement will spread
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Pet cloning market proves hit or miss
9/29/2009
Company closes its doors as competitor expands
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San Francisco proposal for declaw ban hits unlikely roadblock
9/22/2009
Science on declaw too weak to make broad statements, researcher says
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Report scrutinizes FDA’s work in 2007 pet food recall
9/10/2009
Agency supports assessment, works to make improvements
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Pressure mounts to euthanize Denver's Pit Bull ban
8/18/2009
Study deflates stereotypes, names new top biter: Labrador Retrievers
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Teva Animal Health closes shop
8/3/2009
FDA shuts down plant, sparks product availability concerns
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AVMA debates profession's role concerning antimicrobials in livestock
7/11/2009
Resolution gets pushed aside for further review
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Legislation confronts shortage of public-health veterinarians
6/30/2009
Bill calls for large federal investment into new programs
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EPA scales back waste disposal survey
3/5/2009
Agency seeks information on veterinarians' waste disposal practices
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Off the table?
2/12/2009
Calif. sales tax on veterinary services loses steam
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Vet Schools: Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
1/30/2009
Colleges bruised by ailing economy
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Board complaints rise in Texas
1/16/2009
Consumer awareness, Internet play role in increase, official says
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About-face by Florida regulators eases permit policy for DVMs
1/14/2009
Refunds are on the agenda, FVMA says
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MVMA pushes animal protection legislation
1/14/2009
Measure directs courts to consider pets when issuing domestic violence protective orders
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Chicago mandatory neuter proposal makes concession to veterinarians
1/9/2009
Amendment relieves DVMs from reporting clients
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Microchips dump legal, ethical baggage on veterinarians
1/7/2009
AVMA attempts to shed light on gray areas of pet identification
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Fed adopts consumer credit-card protections
12/19/2008
VIN members wary of other finance deals
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FDA puts cephalosporin ban in abeyance
12/11/2008
Veterinary medicine credited by some for pushing last-minute change
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First California. Now Wisconsin.
12/3/2008
Both are facing huge budget deficits and are entertaining sales tax on veterinary services.
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Pet value continues to test veterinary medicine
10/21/2008
Court ruling, roundtable talks feature latest on economic worth
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Regulators eye hazardous waste disposal practices of DVMs
10/16/2008
Increased inspections loom for veterinary medicine
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$24-million pet food settlement approved
10/16/2008
Pet owners affected by melamine scandal to be compensated
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N.H. commission mulls allowing technicians to practice medicine
10/15/2008
Group explores elevated licensure to ease rural vet shortage
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FDA lets public search drug approvals with new database
10/1/2008
Animal Drugs @ FDA replaces the agency's Green Book
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Georgia to licensees: You need communications, ethics training
9/11/2008
CE change effective Jan. 1 for the state's 2009-2010 renewal cycle.
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NJVMA wins NPI exemption for veterinarians
9/9/2008
State backtracks on law designed to track Medicare/Medicaid fraud
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EPA survey: How do you dispose of unused pharmaceuticals?
8/29/2008
Agency wants to know why some still dump drugs down the drain
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Calif. spay/neuter mandate re-emerges with amendments
8/15/2008
Lighter version of AB 1634 calls for microchips
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FDA/CVM issues book on activities
8/12/2008
Agency seeks better communication with veterinarians
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Regulators to addicts: Come clean with state agency
7/22/2008
LVMA-endorsed counseling won't guard against regulatory rebuke, officials say
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Florida practices need pharmacy permits
7/18/2008
New law, effective Jan. 1, is designed to stave off drug diversion
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Dog law overhaul stalls amid controversy in Pennsylvania
7/10/2008
DVMs poke holes in legislative crackdown on commercial breeding kennels
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'Nurse, physical therapy' never applies to veterinary practice, regulators say
7/8/2008
Nurses and physical therapists slap New York veterinarians with language protocols
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Regulators caution New York DVMs on homeopathic medicine
7/8/2008
Board weighs merits of homeopathic remedies
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Mandatory rabies bill passes Ohio House
7/3/2008
The measure orders rabies vaccinations for cats, dogs and ferrets
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UPDATE: FDA bans cephalosporin drugs in food animals
7/3/2008
Federal regulators issue change amid concerns about antimicrobial resistance
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Regulations & Legislation
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Ohio strips 'pit bull' from state's dangerous dog definition
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February 9, 2012
By: Jennifer Fiala
For The VIN News Service
 Photo courtesy of Cindi Drake
Ohio's move to overturn a statewide classification of pit bulls as vicious has attracted national attention.
In a 67-30 vote, the Ohio House passed HB 14 with amendments from the Senate. In her address to the chamber, Rep. Barbara Spears, the bill's primary sponsor, remarked: "This is a great day. We have the opportunity to be the last state to eliminate our discrimination of breed-specific dogs.”
HB 14 amends Ohio Revised Code that defines a vicious dog as one that “belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog.” Since the definition was adopted in 1987, it’s triggered the need for strict liability insurance, restraint requirements and other restrictions for pit bulls and their owners.
The bill now will go in front of Gov. John Kasich for his signature. Kasich has 10 days from the time he receives HB 14 to make a decision. If the bill isn’t considered during that 10-day window, it automatically is enacted.
Getting the document to Kasich’s office can take weeks. In the meantime, proponents that include the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) are celebrating — cautiously.
“It’s time to put the champagne on ice, but let’s not open the bottles yet,” said OVMA Executive Director Jack Advent, noting that the governor's office is a remaining hurdle. “I’m going to wait until we’re popping champagne corks before I get too excited about this.”
In addition to striking the words "pit bull" from state code, HB 14 creates a new classification called “nuisance” dogs, defined as dogs that without provocation and while off their home premises chase or approach people in a menacing fashion or try to attack.
Laws that brand pit bulls as dangerous aren't new or limited to Ohio. Breed restrictions of varying kinds exist in dozens of U.S. cities and even overseas, with supporters who argue that such laws guard against dogs capable of killing people, especially small children. A tough law marginalizing pit bulls and several other breeds went live in Victoria, Australia, last September, and is based on the notion that some breeds are inherently dangerous.
Incidents reported in the media enforce that concept. On Jan. 30, an 18-month-old boy reportedly was mauled by pit bulls in the backyard of his home in Fort Worth, Texas. Fifteen days earlier, a pit bull mauled a 9-year-old boy and attacked a woman in the Sacramento, Calif., area, according to a local news report.
However, organized veterinary medicine and animal advocates contend that certain breeds are not more likely than others to bite, and attacks by pit bulls are rare. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) considers pit bull bans to be an ineffective approach to public safety. What’s more, pit bull isn’t a breed, per se, but a subjective designation that can apply to the American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier and, in some cases, American bulldogs.
"How can you enforce a law when you can't even define what a pit bull is?" asked Dr. John Daugherty, owner of Poland Veterinary Centre in Poland, Ohio. "Ohio's regulation was ineffective and stupid in the first place. For the most part, the pit bulls that come in my practice are very nice. The German shepherds I see are much more aggressive."
Municipalities also are beginning to question the logic of breed-specific bans. Some officials in Miami-Dade County, for example, are looking to repeal a ban on pit bull-like breeds that's been in place since the 1980s. Hundreds of pit bulls are destroyed each year in the county, and now the Florida Legislature is stepping in. On Monday, a Florida House committee is expected to take up a bill that could end Miami-Dade's ordinance.
Florida already has a law on the books to prohibit breed bans. However, the Miami-Dade ban predates the 1990 law, and Florida is a home rule state, giving cities and towns the ability to pass laws to govern themselves so long as they abide by state and federal constitutions.
Ohio, too, is a home rule state, so HB 14 won't overturn breed bans enacted in municipalities. More than 20 have them.
In her speech Wednesday before the House, Spears laid out several amendments that the Senate made to HB 14 before the chamber voted in its favor on Jan. 31. One of the amendments made it so veterinarians could override the required spaying and neutering of dangerous dogs if it is contraindicated for medical reasons.
"That's just common sense," the OVMA's Advent said. The veterinary profession's fingerprint on HB 14 isn't garnering much attention.
That's not the case for the Utah-based animal rights group Best Friends Animal Society, which apparently helped craft the legislation.
The group’s website states that “Best Friends Animal Society has introduced Ohio House Bill 14, which would put an end to one of the most egregious laws on the books for man’s best friend — the state’s breed-discriminatory pit bull law.”
Officials with the organization could not be reached for comment. A Jan. 16 letter by a Cleveland-area resident and dog-attack victim took aim at the group's alleged influence on state politics.
“Ohio residents have the right to expect that Ohio law is written by Ohio legislators, with the best interests of their constituents in mind. Not so with proposed House Bill 14," stated the letter, published on the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s website. “A Freedom of Information Act request for State Rep. Barbara Spears' records tell us that HB 14 was written by Best Friends Animal Society, a multimillion-dollar animal-rights PAC headquartered in Kanab, Utah."
The VIN News Service could not reach Sears’ office to get the lawmaker’s take on such criticisms. Advent rejected the notion that Best Friends played a major role in crafting HB 14, noting that the job ultimately goes to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, a nonpartisan group of lawyer, budget analysts, economists and researchers.
“If anyone says that a bill is written by any one group, that’s incorrect,” he said.
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