New Hampshire SB370 Targets Dog Breeders - Hearing, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012

January 6, 2012

New Hampshire Senate Bill 370, which seeks to impose ownership limits and other restrictions on responsible dog breeders and owners, has been introduced and will be considered by the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee on Thursday, January 19, 2012. The American Kennel Club and our New Hampshire federation, the Dog Owners of the Granite State, both oppose this measure as it is currently written. We encourage all responsible dog breeders and owners in New Hampshire to contact the committee members listed below. Respectfully urge them to not move this bill out of committee without significant amendments.

The American Kennel Club strongly supports the humane treatment of dogs, including an adequate and nutritious diet, clean water, clean living conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and responsible human companionship, and training in appropriate behavior. The AKC also supports reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously. The AKC opposes several provisions in the bill as introduced, including:

- Limiting any person from owning more than 50 intact dogs over the age of six months for the purpose of breeding those animals and selling any offspring for use as a pet. The AKC opposes laws that limit the number of dogs a responsible owner may own as well as unreasonable limitations on pet ownership. AKC believes that numerical limits do not address potential underlying issues of irresponsible ownership and/or improper dog care.

- Requiring any person having more than 10 female dogs covered by the statute to provide specific care and conditions requirements. This includes limits on the frequency of breeding females. Such limitations are arbitrary, do not take into consideration health considerations of a dog, and effectively put the state in charge of issues that are best left to the specialized expertise of veterinary health care providers. The AKC believes a better alternative is to remove this limitation, which will help ensure that individual health care decisions made by the dog’s owner and its veterinarian.

- Mandating that all debarking, tail docking, and surgical births be done by a licensed veterinarian and with anesthesia. The bill defines ”tail docking” as the docking, cutting off, causing, or procuring the docking or cutting off of the tail of a dog over five days old. However, a six-day old puppy would not be able to endure the anesthesia required by this bill. A better alternative would be to leave the decisions regarding the best care to a treating veterinarian.

- Authorizing any duly-appointed agent of a humane society, SPCA incorporated in New Hampshire, or animal control officer to investigate possible violations on the Agriculture Commissioner’s initiative or pursuant to complaints. This may effectively deputize individuals not trained or sworn in as public officers, and allow them to enter and seize private property.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
All responsible dog breeders and owners in New Hampshire are encouraged to attend the Senate Executive Departments and Administrative Committee’s meeting on Thursday, January 19, and respectfully testify in opposition to SB 370 as currently written.

Hearing Information: Thursday, January 19, 2012, 10:45AM, Room 100, State House, 107 North Main Street, Concord, New Hampshire 03301

Click here for more info and Committee Members contacts: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4545

Illinois Committee to Consider Removal of BSL Ban on Tuesday (2/22)

February 17, 2011

The Illinois House Agriculture & Conservation Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Tuesday, February 22, that would remove the state ban on breed-specific legislation. All responsible dog owners are strongly encouraged to contact the committee and ask them to oppose House Bill 1080.

Summary:
Illinois is currently one of 11 states that specifically prohibit breed-specific laws. Under current law, vicious dogs "shall not be classified in a manner that is specific as to breed", and municipalities may not pass any breed-specific regulations or ordinances.

House Bill 1080 strikes these provisions from current law, thereby allowing the state to declare specific breeds as "vicious" and allowing municipalities to enact breed-specific laws. The AKC strongly opposes all breed-specific legislation and recognizes that dangerous dogs should be defined by their deeds, not their breeds. Read AKC's position statement on "Dangerous Dog" Control Legislation.

Click here for talking points and more info: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4318

Can you afford a $100,000 insurance policy for your sporting dog?

February 11, 2011

A bill has been introduced in Texas which would require a $100,000 insurance policy for owners of intact male dogs over the weight of 20 lbs if the dog is ever unsecured in any way. The exact requirement is as follows: The owner of a dog described by Subsection (a) shall maintain liability insurance coverage in an amount of not less than $100,000 for each occurrence for liability for damages to property and for death or bodily injury to a person caused by the dog.

Aside from needless punishment of sportsmen, field-trialers, and trainers, there is the implication that intact males are inherently dangerous.

Click here for bill text: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/pdf/HB00998I.pdf#navpanes=0 and here for U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance info: http://www.ussportsmen.org/page.aspx?pid=2665

Warwick, RI to Consider Prohibition of Debarking on 2/14/11

February 11, 2011

On Monday, February 14th, the Warwick City Council will consider an ordinance (Amended PCO 29-10) to prohibit the debarking of a dog or cat unless a veterinarian states in writing that the surgery is medically necessary. A revised version does allow the “illness” to be physical or behavioral, but this language is vague and it is unclear what would constitute a behavioral illness. The new draft also requires that veterinarians report the number of surgical devocalizations they perform each year to the Board of Veterinary Medicine. Responsible owners and breeders are encouraged to attend this meeting and ask city council members to leave this decision between owners and their veterinarians.

Warwick City Council Committee Meeting Date: Monday, February 14th; Time: 7pm; Location: Warwick City Hall, Lower Level Conference Room, 3275 Post Road, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886

Check out AKC Legislative Alerts http://www.akc.org/news/sections/legislative_alerts.cfm

ME Breeder Restrictive Licensing/Inspection Bill Withdrawn

February 11, 2011

Following a shocking announcement yesterday at the AWAC meeting about a new restrictive breeding bill Maine dog owners/breeders from around the state contacted the sponsor of the bill to openly and candidly share their concerns about the contents of this bill.

As a result, Representative Jeff Timberlake (R), sponsor of Maine LD 491 An Act to Require All Kennels Engaged in Breeding To Be Licensed and Inspected by the State called me moments ago. His conversation included a request to 'call off the hounds' for he has pulled the bill, requesting that no public hearing be held, and that it die right there where it is. He is a freshman legislator serving on the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee, the committee which most often hears the animal welfare bills pertaining to canine legislation and other animal issues.

A huge thank you and thank you again to everyone who communicated near and far about this bill and for the phone calls made this morning.

Ann H. Short
Maine Animal Welfare Advisory  Council

Click here to download the text of the bill: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billpdfs/HP038401.pdf

Saginaw, MI Seeks to Restrict Ten Large Dog Breeds

January 24, 2011

The Saginaw City Council will likely consider a proposal in February that would declare ten dog breeds as "dangerous" and limiting all dog ownership to three dogs per household. Local clubs and dog owners are strongly encouraged to contact the mayor and city council and ask them to oppose these proposals.

While a draft is not yet available, it is believed that the following breeds will be declared "dangerous": Rottweilers, German Shepherds, "Huskies", Alaskan Malamutes, Great Danes, St. Bernards, Doberman Pinschers, Chow Chows, "Pit Bulls", and Presa Canarios.

Owners of these breeds would be required to pay a $50 registration fee a place a warning sign on their property. Owners would also be required to muzzle the dog when in public places.

In another proposal, all dog owners (regardless of breed) would be limited to owning three dogs.

The AKC strongly believes that dog owners should be responsible for their dogs and promote public education programs designed to teach responsible dog ownership. We oppose, however, legislation that seeks to single out specific dog breeds as dangerous and seeks to arbitrarily limit dog ownership.

Click here to read the AKC letter to City Council and other details: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4292

Warwick, RI tackles Pets in Cars and Devocalization Ordiance

January 13, 2011

Despite the fact that Warwick residents tried to dispute city council members regarding an ordinance that prohibits people from leaving their pets unattended in vehicles during extreme weather conditions, the law gained second passage at Monday night's council meeting.

The ordinance states that "no owner or person shall confine any animal in a motor vehicle in such a manner that places it in a life or health threatening situation by exposure to a prolonged period of extreme heat or cold, without proper ventilation or other protection from such heat or cold."

However, Warwick residents Mike Zarum, who was present during the meeting, said he was "concerned" about how the law will be enforced.

"Is this law enforceable?" Zarum said. "To be enforceable, laws need to have a clearly defined offensive behavior, act, rule, or standard that is violated. [The] question is, how do you define a motor vehicle's interior environment being hazardous without being inside the vehicle to measure temperature, humidity and oxygen levels, or without infringing on a pet owner's rights to take their pets in their car?"...

Linda and Pat said they wanted to speak out to Solomon during the meeting in chambers when he referred to the devocalization of animals as "mutilation." The women breed dogs and participate in dog shows. In fact, they had their Shetland Sheepdog, Molly, 6, devocalized a few years ago.

"She was becoming a nuisance and we tried everything, including training, to have it corrected but she was a dog who wanted to bark," said Pat. "She was fine afterwards. She went in that day and came home within a few hours and was running around, playing and eating. She had no difficulties with the surgery at all."

Linda said Molly is happier now because they no longer have to reprimand her for incessant barking. After spending close to $3,000 on trainers and obedience school, debarking was a last resort...

Click here to read the entire article: http://www.warwickonline.com/view/full_story/11001693/article-New-law-about-pets-in-vehicles-raises-some-hackels?instance=right_col_latest_news