A bill making the rounds on Capitol Hill marries two feel-good propositions -- tax cuts and pet ownership -- to generate a novel idea: A tax break of up to $3,500 per person for pet care expenses.
The measure is a legislative long shot. But it's been championed by a veteran Hollywood tough guy and by a conservative Michigan congressman, and has drawn the enthusiastic support of animal rights groups eager to promote pet ownership during economic down times.
"We think this is as much a health care bill as any," said Nancy Perry, vice president of government affairs at the Humane Society. "It's a human health issue to ensure that pets are provided with better care because of the role they play in our families."
The measure even has a snappy acronym: the HAPPY Act, as in Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years.
"What a pro-active way to be able to help the economy and change the culture in this country around animals," Robert Davi, a veteran actor ("The Goonies," "Die Hard," "License to Kill") who was a main force behind the bill's introduction, told ABCNews.com in a telephone interview. "This money goes back into the economy, and it encourages people to understand the social responsibilities we have toward animals," Davi said. (continues here)
1 comment:
Commenters over at ABC News don't much like this idea but I think it has merit because pets are known
to be good for humans' health. Having a pet to love
helps with depression and lowers blood pressure;
pets are especially good for senior citizens.
More pets are being abandoned now because people can't afford them any longer. The abandoned pets will cost everyone unless people are willing to live with packs of abandoned dogs roaming their neighborhoods, turning over garbage cans, etc. I don't think they will be willing to put up with that, will insist that local government do something about the animals, which will raise their taxes. This bill won't raise taxes.
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