N.J. antifreeze "bittering agent" bill clears state Senate after Mantua dog poisoning death
Bella, a 1-year-old Rottweiler in Mantua, died of apparent anti-freeze poisoning earlier this month. Her owner says it was no accident. (photo provided by Amanda Von Ahnen)
A bill penalizing antifreeze manufacturers who do not add a bitter flavor to their products cleared the state Senate on Monday.
The bill, S-1341, is intended to keep animals from drinking the sweet-tasting liquid, adds a fine to a 2009 law that required manufacturers to add a chemical called denatonium benzoate to make antifreeze unpalatable to pets and wild animals. With no penalty, however, legislators found that some businesses were not obeying the law.
"This is an issue that we recognized several years ago when we passed legislation
requiring manufacturers to add a bittering agent designed to deter
animals. As part of the process, we brought together manufacturers and
animal advocates to determine the best way forward," said Senator Jeff Van Drew (D- Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic), who sponsored the bill with Senator Fred Madden (D- Gloucester-Camden).
"We are now hearing that some manufacturers are not adhering to the standards they helped create. This bill will strengthen the law by adding penalties. Hopefully this will prevent more tragedies from occurring."
The proposed fined consists of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses. Each day the violation continues would be counted as an individual offense.
Madden said last week that the original law was developed with the cooperation of manufacturers and that at the time "there was a resolve from the industry."
Even though a non-toxic version of the product is available, anywhere from 10,000 to 90,000 animals a year are poisoned by antifreeze, according to the Humane Society Legislative Fund. One notable incident occurred in Mantua this past spring with the death of Bella, a Rottweiler puppy allegedly poisoned in her backyard.
Amanda Von Ahnen, Bella's owner, had little faith the bill would change much if it became law.
"We'll see in a year," she said.
The bill was approved by a vote of 38 to zero. It will now be considered by the state Assembly.
Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@southjerseymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
The bill, S-1341, is intended to keep animals from drinking the sweet-tasting liquid, adds a fine to a 2009 law that required manufacturers to add a chemical called denatonium benzoate to make antifreeze unpalatable to pets and wild animals. With no penalty, however, legislators found that some businesses were not obeying the law.
"This is an issue that we recognized several years ago when we passed legislation
requiring manufacturers to add a bittering agent designed to deter
animals. As part of the process, we brought together manufacturers and
animal advocates to determine the best way forward," said Senator Jeff Van Drew (D- Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic), who sponsored the bill with Senator Fred Madden (D- Gloucester-Camden).
"We are now hearing that some manufacturers are not adhering to the standards they helped create. This bill will strengthen the law by adding penalties. Hopefully this will prevent more tragedies from occurring."
The proposed fined consists of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for subsequent offenses. Each day the violation continues would be counted as an individual offense.
Madden said last week that the original law was developed with the cooperation of manufacturers and that at the time "there was a resolve from the industry."
Even though a non-toxic version of the product is available, anywhere from 10,000 to 90,000 animals a year are poisoned by antifreeze, according to the Humane Society Legislative Fund. One notable incident occurred in Mantua this past spring with the death of Bella, a Rottweiler puppy allegedly poisoned in her backyard.
Amanda Von Ahnen, Bella's owner, had little faith the bill would change much if it became law.
"We'll see in a year," she said.
The bill was approved by a vote of 38 to zero. It will now be considered by the state Assembly.
Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@southjerseymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
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