Pet stores and breeders facing damage or disruption to their business by animal activists will fall under the protective umbrella of new legislation designed to strengthen law enforcement efforts against individuals engaged in such activities.

Senate Bill 1926, introduced in October, and House Resolution 4239, introduced in November, broaden the definition of “animal enterprise” and add “disruption” to the list of offenses for which individuals can be prosecuted, including “damage” or “loss of property.”

The offense section of the proposal also includes “or any property of a person or entity having a connection to, relationship with, or transactions with the animal enterprise” and “intentionally places a person in reasonable fear of the death of, or serious bodily injury to that person, a member of the immediate family of that person, or a spouse or intimate partner of that person by a course of conduct involving threats, acts of vandalism, property damage, trespass, harassment or intimidation.”

According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association (Greenwich, Conn.), animal extremists have targeted some pet products manufacturers by protesting in front of executives’ homes.

Manufacturers who make a product with animal products or use animals in research or testing would be covered by the bill, said APPMA.

The trade association also reported that independent retailers who were being harassed by activist groups have begun contacting the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington). In some cases, their families and neighbors have been harassed as part of an overall campaign to shut down stores.

PIJAC reportedly is seeking to amend the bill to include “importer/exporter” and “animal distributor” in the definition of an animal enterprise.

The bills were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary in their respective chambers. [January 2006 PET AGE]