Regulatory

Madison, Wis.-- Veterinary researchers, urged by international government officials to censor their findings on the transmission of H5N1 influenza viruses due to risks of bioterrorism, have agreed to a two-month moratorium on their studies.

Indianapolis, Ind. -- Indiana lawmakers proposed a new animal sterilization program that would reimburse veterinarians who spay or neuter dogs or cats owned by Medicaid recipients.

Richmond, Va. -The Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine finalized new drug destruction procedures for veterinarians.

Lincoln, Neb. - The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission want annual permits for wildlife kept in captivity.

Washington - When it comes to reopening horse slaughter operations in the United States, government officials say they doubt horse slaughter for meat will resume any time soon.

Tallahassee, Fla. - Pharmacists in Florida will be able to fill veterinary prescriptions for out-of-state pharmacists is new state legislation passes.

Salem, Ore. - The Oregon Board of Pharmacy amended its controlled substances rules as they apply to certain euthanasia drugs

National Report -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an order Jan. 4 prohibiting certain uses of cephalosporin antibiotics in food animals after April 5.

The Texas Supreme Court will be asked to decide if non-economic damages should be awarded in a mistaken euthanasia case.

Washington - Manufacturers of spot-on flea-and-tick products have six months to make labeling changes, according to a new directive from the Environmental Protection Agency, to address increasing adverse events associated with the misapplication of these products by pet owners.

Rockville, Md. - Twelve years after filing a petition calling for the phase-out of non-medical uses of antibiotics in food animals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently denied these petitions by saying withdrawing approvals for certain antimicrobail uses in food animals would consume too much of the agency's time and resources.

Albany, N.Y. - Veterinarians in New York may soon be required to complete a minimum of 45 hours of continuing education (CE) every three years, according to a proposed amendment to the state's education regulations.

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York now requires animals that have been exposed to rabies to go through a 10-day confinement and observation period in a secured facility, like a veterinarian's office.

Rockville, Md. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a 2012-2016 strategic plan for the Center for Veterinary Medicine and Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Washington - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and a number of other animal welfare groups are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a lawsuit filed by the National Meat Association that seeks to overturn a California law banning the killing and processing of "downer" livestock."

Practice negotiates settlement with state's environmental agency over medical-waste disposal.

Tallahassee, Fla. - The definition of domestic violence in Florida may be expanded to include animals, according to new legislation.

Sacramento, Calif. - Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill Oct. 7 that would have created new licensing protocols and reporting requirements for institutions that offer dogs for adoption or sale.

Sacramento, Calif. - Dogs whose lives could be endangered by a rabies vaccination may receive an exemption in California.

Salem, Ore. - Chiropractic treatment by non-veterinarians is believed to be the most common form of "illegal practice" in Oregon, according to a new survey of veterinarians by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).

Sacramento, Calif. - The repeal date on rules that allow registered veterinary technicians or unregistered assistants to administer controlled drugs under wither direct or indirect supervision of a veterinarian have been extended following the passage of Senate Bill 943.

New York, N.Y. -- ASPCA and other advocacy groups hosted a rally to announce their support of legislation calling for a phase-out of horse carriages in Manhattan.

Columbus, Ohio -- An Ohio task force proposed a ban on owning dangerous, exotic animals in the state by 2014.

Rockville, Md. -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about chicken jerky products imported from China, after seeing an increase in dog illnesses over the last 12 months.

Ocala, Fla. -- The federal government appealed the September decision of a Florida district court that ruled the U.S. Food and Drug Administration overstepped its authority when it tried to shut down a veterinary compounding pharmacy.

Sacramento, Calif. -- Groomers will no longer be able to include dental scaling on their list of services in California.

Albany, N.Y. - New York Senator Thomas Duane says he intends to introduce legislation calling for a statewide ban on the use of furosemide for any horse participating in a state-sanctioned horse race.

A fatal injury of a racehorse during training has some questioning the racetrack's responsibility in maintaining a veterinarian on call even during non-racing events.

Olympia, Wash. - A new prescription-monitoring program that went into effect in early October is already causing so many headaches for Washington practitioners that the state veterinary medical association is pushing for an exemption for the veterinary profession.

Springfield, Ill. - Illinois lawmakers will now allow stable owners to use a lien law to maintain possession of a horse due to unpaid expenses, including veterinary care.