Regulatory

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.

Duluth, Ga. -- Merial and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have worked out a new system to ease the shortage of its heartworm treatment Immiticide, the company reports.

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).

Oklahoma City, Okla. --Equine teeth floaters are getting another chance at legitimacy in Oklahoma, after two years of back-and-forth decisions over whether they could practice their craft in the state.

No matter how effective, careful or sensitive a veterinarian tries to be, somebody is going to complain.

The National Veterinary Accreditation Program is requiring CE for accreditation

Las Vegas gambles on a new spay/neuter law.

Seven cities scramble as new state law blocks them from regulation veterinary procedures in 2010

Austin, Texas -- The second phase of a program to address in-state movement of breeding bulls in Texas will go into effect Jan. 1.

Washington, D.C. -- The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved a bill Dec. 10 that would ban the shipping and importing of all varieties of python into the United States.