Below is a follow-up e-mail we have sent on AB 2689.
Please continue to call Assembly Member Smyth's office at (916) 319-2038 or the Local Government Committee at (916) 319-3958 and request that they remove the authorization to impose annual rabies vaccinations.
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----- Original Message -----
From: Peter & Kris Christine
To: Kevin.O'Neill@asm.ca.gov;
derick.lennox@asm.ca.gov
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 6:35 AM
Subject: California Rabies Bill AB 2689
Greetings Mr. O'Neill,
Regarding The Rabies Challenge Fund's request and conversations with the staff in your office about withdrawing the authorization given under 121690 Section (b) of the current law to the State Public Health Officer to impose annual rabies vaccinations in areas they determine to be "rabies areas" -- this easily could be accomplished in AB 2689 by striking the clause "at intervals of time not more often than once a year, as may be prescribed by the department". No additional language would need to be added, no new bill would need to be drafted or introduced, and the conflict with language contained in Section (g) would be resolved.
As you are aware from the data Dr. Jean Dodds, Dr. Ronald Schultz, and I have forwarded on to you, there is no benefit from annual rabies vaccination, and it goes against the recommendations of all the national veterinary medical associations, which recommend a 3 year booster schedule as the best way to prevent and control rabies.
It is our hope that you will be able to make this one further revision to AB 2689.
Regards,
Regards, Kris
Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
The Rabies Challenge Fund
ledgespring@lincoln.midcoast.com
(b) Every dog owner, after his or her dog attains the age of four
months, shall, at intervals of time not more often than once a year,
as may be prescribed by the department, procure its vaccination by a
licensed veterinarian with a canine antirabies vaccine approved by,
and in a manner prescribed by, the department.