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The state’s environment committee is considering about 120 bills this legislative session. A number of of them have to do with animals.

There are lots of bills that fall under the category of traditional environmental protection. Such as a proposal to reduce the number of plastic bags handed out by retail stores. Or bills aimed at increasing recycling or protecting drinking water. But there are a few bills that are designed to solve some unusual challenges.

“There is a shortage of reindeer in Connecticut  these days”

That’s Senator Andrew Roraback, who’s proposing a bill that would allow reindeer to be imported into the state. He says the reindeer shortage affects children and one business in particular that caters to them.

“Anyone from northwestern Connecticut is very familiar with a place called Christmas Village in Torrington, which is  a magical destination at Christmastime for young people to go and sit on Santa’s lap and visit the elves in the toy shop and historically to feed the reindeer and see the reindeer.”

But there’s a ban on bringing in reindeer from other states because of concern over chronic wasting disease which has killed deer, elk and moose outside of Connecticut. But Roraback says the neurological condition does not affect reindeer.

“All of the science suggests that reindeer are not able to get chronic wasting disease or to carry it so we are looking to change the  law to create an exception which would allow reindeer to come in really for three weeks or a month every year to be part of the magic at Christmas Village in Torrington.”

Roraback’s bill is facing opposition from people like Agriculture Commissioner Philip Prelli who says as much as he’d love for children to enjoy the reindeer, the risk of chronic wasting disease is too great.

Perhaps one of the more unusual bills this session was one that would have banned wild cats in private homes. We’re talking lions, tigers and ocelots.

“You know they’re cute as kitten,s I guess you’d call them, cubs. Then as they become older they become more dangerous.“

Although this bill did not survive it’s sponsor, Senator Toni Harp, says it was designed to protect people and animals.

“It’s really not fair for them to grow up in our communities in an improper place, in a way in which we have no way to really take care of them. They ultimately end up getting killed.”

Several other bills focused on the owners of more traditional pets. One proposal known as the “pet lemon law” is designed to stop the sale of dogs and cats who are sick. Other bills were focused on the humane treatment of dogs.

“Oh my God, you know, if you’re a dog lover you can’t stand to see dogs tethered outside on a short rope or a chain.”

Senator Edith Prague’s proposal would have stopped dog owners from restricting a dog unreasonably.

“There has to be some specifications as to how short that rope can be. You have to give dogs some freedom to run around.”

Senator’s Prague’s bill did not survive, but a similar one by Representative Diana Urban is still being considered.

The environment committee is holding a public hearing on another fourteen bills tomorrow. They run the gamut... from a proposal to give financial relief to dairy farms facing tough times to a bill that would increase the fine for cutting down someone else’s tree or shrub.