Legislating the Way to Perfection

It seems there's no problem so small that it's beneath the dignity of a legislature. Right now Mike Gallagher is on the radio discussing a proposed Minnesota law to take care of a breast-feeding-in-public problem.

No, not the problem of women breast-feeding in public. Instead, the law would impose a fine on anyone who asks a breast-feeding woman to cover up. Wow, I bet that's exactly why that guy's constituents vested him with power to represent them in front of the state.

Nevada is, of course, no exception to the rule that legislators with too much time on their hands can quickly get out of control. Here's a gem:

Nevada Revised Statutes 574.480 - A retailer or dealer shall conspicuously post within close proximity to the primary enclosure of a dog or cat offered for sale the following notice printed in at least 48-point type upon paper that is at least 11 inches wide and 17 inches long:

NEVADA LAW REQUIRES THAT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DATE OF BIRTH, SOURCE, LINEAGE AND MEDICAL HISTORY OF THESE DOGS (OR CATS) BE PROVIDED TO THE PURCHASER BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF ANY SALE.

I wonder how long they argued about font size in committee. But if you want to sell cats, you actually have an entire chapter in Nevada Revised Statutes to peruse. For example, you're in big trouble if you only give your cat access to drinking water for fifty-five minutes at a time:

NRS 574.420 - An operator shall ensure that:
1. Potable water is offered to each dog or cat at least twice daily for not less than 1 hour on each occasion, unless potable water is accessible to the dog or cat at all times or except as otherwise required to provide adequate care.
2. Each dog or cat is fed at least once each day, except as otherwise required to provide adequate care.
3. The food provided to a dog or cat is wholesome, palatable, free from contamination, and of sufficient quality and nutritive value to meet the normal daily requirements for the dog or cat, based upon its condition and size.
4. Supplies of perishable food are adequately refrigerated.
5. Containers of food are:(a) Durable, except that disposable receptacles may be used if they are discarded after each feeding; and(b) Located so as to be accessible to the dogs or cats while reducing to a minimum any contamination from excreta.
6. Containers of food and water are kept clean. Self-feeders must not be used for the feeding of dry food unless they are cleaned regularly to prevent molding, deterioration and the caking of food.

I'm glad that's been cleared up. I'd hate to think that Nevadans were subjected to the nightmarish existence of trying to sell a cat with inadequate input from the state's law-makers.

And pursuant to NRS 574.460, if you want to actually sell a cat, you need to provide the buyer with the following information:

(a) The name, address and telephone number of the retailer or dealer.
(b) The date the cat was born, if known.
(c) The name and address of the person from whom the retailer or dealer obtained the cat and, if the person holds a license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, the person's federal identification number.
(d) The name and address of the breeder of the cat, if any, and, if the breeder holds a license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, the breeder's federal identification number.
(e) The registration numbers, if any, of the cat's sire and dam with the appropriate breed registry or any health certifications from a health certification organization such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or its successor organization, if any.
(f) A record of any immunizations administered to the cat before the time of sale, including the type of vaccine, date of administration and name and address of the veterinarian who prescribed the vaccine.
(g) The medical history of the cat, including, without limitation:
(1) The date that a veterinarian examined and, if applicable, reexamined the cat pursuant to subsections 1 and 2 of NRS 574.450 and determined that the cat did not have any illness, disease or other condition that is terminal or requires immediate hospitalization or immediate surgical intervention. For the purposes of this subparagraph, the presence of internal or external parasites does not constitute an illness, disease or other condition that is terminal or requires immediate hospitalization or immediate surgical intervention, unless the cat is clinically ill as a result of the parasite.
(2) Whether any treatment or medication has been administered by the veterinarian who examined or, if applicable, reexamined the cat pursuant to subsections 1 and 2 of NRS 574.450 and if such treatment or medication was administered, a statement indicating on what date it was administered and for what illness, disease or condition.
(3) The name and address of the veterinarian who performed the examinations or reexaminations or administered any treatments or medications.(h) That a copy of the veterinarian's evaluation of the health of the cat made pursuant to NRS 574.450 is available to the purchaser.

In case you're wondering, yes, there is a completely different statute if you want to sell a dog. And if you own a sheep, Nevada has thirty-four different statutes for you to follow.

But as far as I can tell, we don't fine you for asking breast-feeding women to show a little discretion.

Update: NRS 562.030 - "As used in this chapter, 'sheep' shall mean animals of the ovine species."