4768246 Resolution 20-415, "Classroom Animal for Educational Purposes Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2014"

A RESOLUTION

                                                        

20-415  

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

February 4, 2014

 

 

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to amend section 9 the Animal Control Act of 1979 to clarify that an educational institution is permitted to have animals for educational and instructional purposes.

 

 

            RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the "Classroom Animal for Educational Purposes Clarification Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2014".

           

            Sec. 2. (a) There is an immediate need to amend section 9(h) of the Animal Control Act of 1979, effective October 18, 1979 (D.C. Law 3-30; D.C. Official Code § 8-1808(h)), to make clear that animals at educational institutions are permitted for educational and instructional purposes.

(b) The Department of Health has previously notified schools across the District that they must remove animals – such as geckos, frogs, toads, tadpoles, and other species historically used for instructional purposes but not specifically cited in section 9 of the Animal Control Act of 1979 – or the District will seize and destroy them.

(c) This interpretation has caused concern among educators and school administrators and potentially disrupts the teaching and learning opportunities for students.

(d) This emergency action will prevent classroom and instructional animals from being removed and ensure that the schools can continue teaching sciences and biology with living creatures that are treated and maintained humanely and safely.

 

            Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances

enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the

Classroom Animal for Educational Purposes Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2014 be adopted after a single reading.

 

            Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.