The State is beginning another round of public workshops to review proposed animal care standards. The sessions, which begin this week, focus on standards specific to different types of animals, including horses, livestock, birds, dogs and other domestic pets. State Veterinarian Robert Gerlach says opinions and comments gathered during the first round of meetings last year are the jumping off point for the upcoming sessions.
Gerlach says the state has received a lot of public feedback on the proposed regulations. He says much of the input has been on horse and dog care.
Gerlach says state statute requires standards developed for sled dogs not override those held by established Alaska mushing organizations. The new standards are in response to both in state and national pressure. Gerlach says most Alaskans take good care of their animals, and the standards are designed to address the few who do not.
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Dan Bross is a reporter at KUAC in Fairbanks.
