U.S. Representative James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) this week introduced a new bill aimed at bolstering federal protections for companion animals and ensuring negligent pet-care facilities are held accountable. The legislation, titled "Dunkin's Law," was announced by Gallagher in a news release issued Monday.
The bill seeks to establish a federal legal remedy when animals suffer harm, neglect, or death in covered commercial facilities. Gallagher stated the legislation is a direct response to discoveries made during an ongoing investigation into Miranda’s Rescue, an ostensible no-kill shelter in Fortuna, Humboldt County.
"What investigators uncovered in Humboldt County is absolutely sickening," Congressman Gallagher said in his statement. He emphasized the trust violated when authorities discovered "more than a hundred dead dogs buried on the property." The proposed law aims to provide pet owners a "real path to justice" when that trust is broken. Gallagher underscored the belief that "Our pets aren’t just property. They’re family. When that trust is violated, families deserve a real path to justice."
"Dunkin's Law" is designed to amend the Animal Welfare Act, recognizing certain companion animals, including dogs and cats, as sentient beings. Gallagher's office noted that current law often treats these animals as property, which can restrict the legal recourse available when they are injured or killed.
The legislation would create a federal civil cause of action for owners whose pets are harmed, neglected, or die while in the care of commercial pet-care businesses, such as boarding facilities and grooming operations. If the bill becomes law, owners could seek to recover economic damages, including veterinary expenses, and non-economic damages, such as emotional distress. It would also allow for the recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs.
Additionally, the bill would establish a route to civil accountability for animal rescues and shelters convicted of unlawfully euthanizing companion animals under applicable state or local law.
The inspiration for the bill extends to a pet named Dunkin, belonging to Madeleine “Maddie” White and Andrew Fedyk, who died while being boarded. Their experience, combined with the Humboldt County case, highlights the perceived need for stronger federal oversight.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating Miranda’s Rescue since this April. In June, investigators uncovered 117 intact canine remains buried on the property in Fortuna, along with additional skeletal remains and evidence suggesting many of the animals had been shot. Sheriff William Honsal told the Times-Standard late last month that the investigation is nearing its final stages.
Honsal also pointed out several legal complexities surrounding the case. In June, he noted that California currently lacks a specific state law or permit requirement for operating an animal rescue. Furthermore, he explained that merely shooting an animal does not automatically constitute animal cruelty; investigators must prove the defendant acted maliciously and intentionally for charges to proceed.
The investigation into Miranda's Rescue remains ongoing. Meanwhile, "Dunkin's Law" has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and will now move through the legislative process for consideration.