Missouri continues to lack in rabies legislation
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Missouri continues to lack in rabies legislation

Date: September 7, 2012
By: Alexander Mallin
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SB 566

Intro: 
Lawmakers are not planning to move forward in overriding the governor's veto of legislation requiring mandatory rabies vaccination of pets.
RunTime:  0:45
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Governor Jay Nixon's veto letter said the legislation could put Missourians at risk for rabies by taking the decision-making process away from local law enforcement and health officials and placing it solely in the hands of veterinarians.

Republican Senator Dan Brown says the bill's original language was altered and strays away from prevention measures and focuses more on what would happen in the event of an attack.

Actuality:  DBROWM2.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "When someone says 'Well you got bit by a dog, do you still want to put the dog down? Just go ahead and get the shots.' It's a very expensive option and so it's a big cost saver."
 
Missouri is one of five states without mandatory rabies vaccination legislation.
 
From the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.
 
 
Intro: 
Missouri will continue to be one of five states without a mandatory rabies vaccination law as lawmakers plan not to override a veto of rabies legislation.
RunTime:  0:44
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Executive Director of the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association Richard Antweiler says passing such a bill would provide a more solidified base of protection for those involved in animal bite scenarios.

Actuality:  RANTWEI2.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "We are viewed as kind of a backwards state not having a basic rabies requirement in the state and it would be nice to change that perception at some point."
 
The bill, originally designed to require mandatory rabies vaccination of all pets, was altered in the Missouri House to address actions in the event of an incident rather than preventative measures.

Republican Senator Dan Brown, the sponsor of the bill, says he hopes to revisit the bill's original language in future years.

From the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin. 

Intro: 
Lawmakers are choosing not to move forward with rabies legislation that was vetoed by the governor.
RunTime:  0:39
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The original legislation called for preventative measures by requiring mandatory rabies vaccination of pets, but the final bill addressed what happens after a bite.

Republican Representative Tom Loehner sponsored the change.

Actuality:  TLOEHN2.WAV
Run Time:  00:13
Description: "I think the language that we came together strengthened the current law a little bit but if the governor feels that it doesnt then that's his prerogative. I don't think we have enough votes to override it and I'm not going to push it."

Missouri is one of five states without a mandatory vaccination law. The bill's sponsor, Republican Senator Dan Brown says he hopes to revisit the bill's original language in future years.

From the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.