BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 272
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Date of Hearing: March 13, 2013
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Susan Talamantes Eggman, Chair
AB 272 (Gomez) - As Introduced: February 7, 2013
SUBJECT : Rabies: vaccinations.
SUMMARY : This bill changes, from four months to three months,
the age at which a dog is required to be vaccinated against
rabies. This bill also makes technical changes.
EXISTING LAW requires every dog owner to, once the dog is older
than four months, obtain a dog license from the responsible
local government at least every two years, and obtain a rabies
vaccination every year. Allows fines up to $1,000 for violating
various requirements related to rabies, including not
vaccinating a dog against rabies.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central
nervous system and causes acute inflammation of the brain.
Rabies is almost always fatal if treatment is not administered
prior to the onset of severe symptoms. In California, most
cases of rabies occur in skunks and bats; however, any mammal,
including human, can contract rabies. Domestic animals account
for three percent of animal rabies, and the rest occurs in a
variety of wild animals. Rabies can be prevented by
vaccination. Rabies prevention programs, including
vaccinations, in the United States have reduced
laboratory-confirmed cases of rabies in dogs from 6,949 in 1947
to 93 in 2009.
According to the author, the four month age for vaccination is
out of step with current federal rules, other states and
existing vaccine labels. The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention's 2011 Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and
Control (Compendium) lists 14 rabies vaccinations for dogs
licensed by the federal government. The minimum age for all
rabies vaccination for dogs is three months. California is the
only state that sets a minimum age of four months for dog rabies
vaccination. Other states use the Compendium guidelines, the
United Stated Department of Agricultural rules or vaccination
label requirements to determine the minimum age.
AB 272
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By allowing California veterinarians to vaccinate at three
months, supporters state that this will lessen the chance of
over-vaccination of young dogs coming into California.
Furthermore, supporters feel that, along with aligning
California rabies law with the rest of the nation, this bill
will offer protection against rabies to more dogs.
Opponents state that this bill is unneeded as California has a
low rate of rabies in domestic animals, with three cases of
rabies in dogs reported since 2007. Opponents feel that
lowering the age of vaccination can be counterproductive, as
puppies have sufficient maternal antibodies (MAB) to protect
against rabies. The 2011 American Animal Hospital Association
Canine Vaccination Guidelines list puppy's MAB as one of the
three main reasons for vaccine failure. Furthermore, opponents
worry that adding another vaccination into the three
vaccinations already required at three months (distemper,
hepatitis, parvo) will increase the chance of adverse side
effects from the vaccinations.
RELATED LEGISLATION: AB 258 (Hagman), Chapter 542, Statutes of
2011, allowed exemptions from canine antirabies vaccination
requirements for a dog, if a licensed veterinarian determines
the dog has a compromised immune system or pre-existing
condition that rendered the vaccine dangerous to the animal's
health.
AB 2689 (Smyth), Chapter 45, Statutes of 2010, authorized the
responsible city, county, or city and county in a designated
rabies area, to specify the means by which a dog owner is
required to provide proof of his or her dog's rabies
vaccination, including, but not limited to, by electronic means
or facsimile.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Health Officers Association of California (sponsor)
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
California Animal Control Directors Association
County of Los Angeles
Santa Cruz SPCA
State Humane Association of California
AB 272
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Opposition
California Miniature Schnauzer Rescue
The Rabies Challenge Fund
Analysis Prepared by : Victor Francovich / AGRI. / (916)
319-2084