THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, OCTObER 11, 2024 Page 7 ~ GUEST COMMENTARY ~ Do We Really Need A Foster Homes And Dogs Bill? By Sal Giarratani L ast Friday, as I read through my Revere Advocate while chomping down a slice of pepperoni pizza over at Luberto’s and chasing it down with a great cup of caff eine, I read Bob Katzen’s Beacon Hill Roll Call column. I can’t spend much time up on Beacon Hill since I am still working to pay all my bills that keep arriving in my mailbox. Bob’s column keeps me up-to-date on Beacon Hill doings. One of those bills called Foster Homes and Dogs Bill (H.4911) caught my attention. Apparently, the Senate approved a House-approved bill that prohibits the Department of Children and Families (DCF) from prohibiting placement of a child in foster care solely based on the presence of any specifi c breed of dog in those homes. The bill also updates animal cruelty and abuse reporting regulation for human services employees and contractors. Why, anyway, were these two separate issues tied together in one bill? Was the second part of the bill on animal cruelty put into the bill to get it more quickly passed? After all, who supports hurting any animals? Opponents of specific dog bans say such DCF bans on placing children into foster homes should not be part of the process of taking in foster children. Why had DCF not placed little children into homes that have German Shepherds, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers? There had to be a reason. What was it? According to supporters of this bill like Rep. Jack Lewis of Framingham, taking away the restriction on these three breeds would “open the door for seemingly countless additional families to potentially become foster parents...” It would be nice to know why such a bill is so necessary. I repeat myself. I have heard no hue and cry over getting this bill placed into law. Why had DCF banned such dog breeds? This state agency must have had its reasons for doing so, especially with the need out there of locating foster parents for so many children out there waiting for such placements. The bill got fi nal approval in both the House and Senate before going to Gov. Healey’s offi ce for her signature. With all transparency, Pitbulls and Rottweilers scare the bejesus out of many people, but when it comes to German Shepherds, not so much. However, I did have a great German Shepherd named “Rebel’ back when I was about 20 years old. He was very friendly to household members but little kids, not so much. I have no problem with little dogs with little kids. I would be a bit apprehensive mixing big dogs with little kids regardless of H.4911. Hey, can DCF be sued if a foster kid is injured when the breed of a dog is no longer a factor with placement of foster kids? Or should the state legislature get sued? Micromanaging in-house restrictions could result in unintended consequences, couldn’t it? Just thinking out loud here. SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net
8 Publizr Home