The Connecticut state senate unanimously approved a bill early this morning that protects the owners and handlers of domesticated horses and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said he’ll sign it.
The bill clarifies into law that domesticated horses are not wild animals and as such are not “inherently dangerous.” The Governor introduced the legislation in response to a recent court decision, which he said went too far.
The legislation is House Bill 5044, An Act Concerning the Liability of Owners and Keepers of Domesticated Horses, Ponies, Donkeys and Mules.
“With final passage secured by the state legislature today, I look forward to signing this bill, which has been a top concern to many horse owners and handlers, and our state’s associated agriculture industry,” Malloy said in a press release Tuesday. “The agriculture sector of Connecticut’s economy has been growing significantly over the past couple of years, and we need to ensure that the laws in our state statutes encourage this growth. I’d specifically like to thank Environment Committee co-chair State Senator Ed Meyer and the entire Connecticut General Assembly for their support of this bill.”