GOV. MALLOY SAYS ENACTMENT OF NEW LAW WILL PROTECT OWNERS AND HANDLERS
OF DOMESTICATED HORSES
Last week, Governor Dannel P. Malloy held a ceremony at Locket’s
Meadow Farm in Bethany with farmers and other stakeholders from the state’s
agricultural community to commemorate the passage of a new state law that
protects the owners and handlers of domesticated horses from a recent
court ruling by making it clear in state statute that the animals do not
possess a “naturally mischievous or vicious propensity.”
“Connecticut has a large population of horse owners and handlers,
and as such, I’m happy to sign this legislation so that we can ensure
their operations can continue without possible negative consequences,”
Governor Malloy said. “I am proud of Connecticut’s growing
agricultural sector, and I remain committed to the growth of this industry
and to the hard working farm families of Connecticut.”
The Governor
introduced the legislation –
Public Act 14-54,
An Act Concerning the Liability of Owners and Keepers of Domesticated Horses,
Ponies, Donkeys and Mules – earlier this year in response to rulings by the state Appellate
and Supreme Courts, which in practice may have resulted in increased insurance
rates for horse owners and handlers, and would have caused a significant
financial hardship for many farmers and horse owners across the state.
The bill was adopted unanimously in both the House and the Senate.
“The Governor’s initiative and legislative action on this matter
will meaningfully protect the equine sector of the state’s agricultural
economy and limit the potential damage and unintended consequences of
the court’s decision on livestock production in Connecticut,”
said Department of Agriculture Commissioner Steven K. Reviczky.
Agriculture contributes about $3.5 billion annually to the state’s
economy and accounts for 28,000 jobs. A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture
report showed that the number of farms in the state increased by 22% over
the last five years,
leading all of New England in the growth rate. This comes despite an overall decline in farm numbers
nationally.
Locket’s Meadow Farm in Bethany, where today’s ceremony took
place, is a sanctuary for at-risk farm animals, many of which have been
rescued from slaughter, neglect or abuse. The farm’s horses and
ponies are used for a riding program, offering both traditional riding
lessons as well as therapeutic riding for children and also adults with
varying mental and physical challenges.