NY Assembly Passes Debarking Ban

March 8, 2013

Assembly Bill 1204, which would outlaw the veterinary procedure commonly called "debarking" or "bark softening", has passed the Assembly and is pending in the Senate Agriculture Committee.

New York residents are urged to contact the members of the Senate Agriculture Committee and your State Senator and express concerns with Assembly Bill 1204, which could ban a safe veterinary procedure that can help certain dogs stay in loving homes if other behavior modifications fail.

Talking Points:
There is much misinformation circulating about debarking. This is a minimally intrusive procedure that does not eliminate a dog's ability to bark, but rather softens it. It is not meant as an alternative to appropriate dog training and socialization, but is an option that should remain open for those with dogs whose excessive barking cannot be controlled. This decision, made in conjunction with a qualified veterinarian, could be a last resort for owners who would be otherwise forced to give their dog to a shelter instead of a loving home.

Click here for more info: http://www.akc.org/press_center/article.cfm?article_id=4879

CT Bill Prohibiting Breed Specific Dangerous Dog Laws Scheduled for Hearing Friday March 8

March 6, 2013

Proposed Connecticut House Bill 6311, which would prohibit municipalities from adopting breed-specific dangerous dog laws, is scheduled for a hearing by the Joint Planning and Development Committee on Friday, March 8, 2013.

The AKC supports this proposed measure and encourages Connecticut residents to consider attending Friday's hearing or contact the members of the Joint Planning and Development Committee to ask them to support House Bill 6311. Read AKC's Talking Points and Issue Analysis, Why Breed-Specific Legislation Doesn't Work.

How You Can Help:
Contact the members of the Committee on Planning and Development and ask them to support House Bill 6311. The committee phone number is: 860-240-0550.

Click here for more info: http://www.akc.org/press_center/article.cfm?article_id=4871

WV: Problematic Breeder Bill Reintroduced

March 6, 2013

Yesterday the West Virginia Senate Majority Leader introduced a bill that limits dog ownership and would impose onerous restrictions on those who own 11 or more intact dogs. Among other provisions, those who currently have more than 50 dogs must come under the limit within 30 days - a provision that could be an enormous burden on West Virginia shelters. Also, although some exemptions are included, the AKC believes they are vague and may still impact hobbyists who are not truly commercial breeders.

West Virginia has a short legislative session, and AKC GR expects this bill to move quickly, as it has in past years. We strongly encourage West Virginia residents to contact the members of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, as well as your State Senator TODAY and ask them to not support Senate Bill 437 as currently written. Scroll down for talking points and contact information.

Summary:
AKC takes a strong line on animal cruelty, and does not believe any dog should be kept in conditions where its basic needs are not met. This is why AKC supports current West Virginia law (§61-8-19), which, among other provisions, makes it unlawful for anyone to withhold proper sustenance, protective shelter and medical treatment.

The AKC appreciates that some of the concerns we expressed about this bill in past years have been addressed. However, Senate Bill 437 would still impose numerous restrictions on individuals who "maintain" eleven or more unsterilized dogs (males and females) over one year of age and breed dogs exclusively as household pets.

AKC's specific concerns include:

- Ownership Limit - The bill limits ownership to 50 intact dogs. Laws that limit animal ownership are ineffective, arbitrary, and do not address the underlying issue of responsible ownership. Limiting the number of animals a person may own will not automatically make them a better owner. Those who own over 50 dogs will have 30 days to relinquish or sell dogs in order to come into compliance. This could be an enormous strain on West Virginia shelters and is not a reasonable requirement if the dogs are being kept in safe, healthy conditions.

- Definition of "Commercial Dog Breeder" - This bill defines a "commercial breeder" as one who owns 11 intact dogs over the age of one year and breeds dogs exclusively as household pets. It also exempts anyone who keeps or breeds dogs "for the purpose of herding or guarding livestock animals, hunting, tracking or exhibiting in dog shows, performance events or field and obedience trials..."

The AKC greatly appreciates the recognition that exhibitors, sportsmen, and other hobbyists should not be considered commercial dog breeders. However, we believe that the exemptions are vague. It is not always possible to tell immediately if dogs from a litter will develop into proper show dogs, sporting dogs, etc. Many breeders will wait to watch the puppies grow before they determine if the dogs will be used for these purposes.

It is also unclear if a breeder would be required to somehow "prove" they are keeping dogs for this purpose, or if breeders would be exempt if they intend to keep or breed dogs for one of these purposes, but may ultimately decide to sell or keep puppies as pets. In the same way, a person may decide at some point to cease their hobby and "retire" their dogs, thereby keeping them as pets.

The AKC is asking the Senate to raise the threshold to a number more indicative of a truly commercial operation and ensure that hobbyists will never be unintentionally impacted.

The bill includes numerous other new requirements, including licensing and twice yearly inspections for all who meet the definition of "commercial breeder".  No primary enclosures or cages may be stacked, and they must have solid flooring.  Breeders are encouraged to read the bill and communicate to legislators how it will impact your ability to properly breed and raise dogs.

Click here for more info: http://www.akc.org/press_center/article.cfm?article_id=4872

Bill Will Help Train Service Dogs To Assist North Dakota Veterans

March 5, 2013

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is pleased to support of North Dakota Senate Bill 2344. The bill seeks to provide for funding for the training of service dogs to assist some of the state's veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. All North Dakota residents are encouraged to join in support of the bill.

AKC's POSITION ON THE USE OF DOGS FOR ASSISTANCE AND SERVICE: The American Kennel Club strongly supports the training and use of dogs to provide assistance and service to humans. Dogs provide valuable service as: seeing eye dogs; hearing dogs; therapy dogs; handicapped assistance dogs; drug, bomb, and arson detection dogs; and tracking dogs to locate missing persons and fugitives.

As currently written, SB 2344 would appropriate $50,000 to the State Department of Veterans' Affairs for the training service dogs to assist North Dakota veterans having posttraumatic stress disorder. Additionally, the bill would provide for a legislative study to consider future changes that would further benefit North Dakota veterans.

BILL STATUS: The bill has already passed the North Dakota Senate. It will next be considered by the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee on Friday, March 8, 2013. All North Dakota residents are encouraged to join in support of the bill.

Click here for more info: http://www.akc.org/press_center/article.cfm?article_id=4869

Rhode Island BSL Withdrawn

March 1, 2013

Rhode Island House Bill 5287, which would have regulated "pit bulls" (or dogs believed to be "pit bulls") and imposed numerous requirements on their owners, has been withdrawn by its sponsor, Representative Raymond E. Gallison, Jr. Earlier in the week, H5287's companion bill, SB178, was also withdrawn by its sponsor, Senator Ottiano. At this time, no other breed-specific bills are currently pending in Rhode Island.

The American Kennel Club thanks Representative Gallison for withdrawing HB 5287, and encourages all Rhode Island residents concerned with the unfair impacts of breed-specific legislation to thank the Representative for withdrawing HB5287. He may be reached at rep-gallison@rilin.state.ri.us.

Click here for more info: http://www.akc.org/press_center/article.cfm?article_id=4863

Rhode Island Introduces Statewide BSL Measure

February 7, 2013

Two bills have been introduced in Rhode Island that would regulate all "pit bulls" (or dogs believed to be "pit bulls") and impose numerous requirements on the owners. The bill would also require every kennel, veterinary office, and commercial breeder, among others, to post a sign notifying people of the new law and providing contact information for someone to report a dog owner who is not in compliance.

AKC strongly encourages Rhode Island residents to contact the committees where these bills have been assigned and ask them to oppose these measures.

Summary:
H 5287 and S 178 would regulate all "pit bulls" in the state. "Pit bull" is defined as any dog that substantially conforms to the American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or American Pit Bull Terrier standards. Testimony by a veterinarian, zoologist, animal behaviorist, or animal control officer that states the dog has these physical characteristics creates the rebuttable presumption that the dog is in fact a "pit bull".

The bills also contain "legislative findings" that in part state that these breeds were developed for the purpose of fighting and that breeders have "selected and maximized" certain traits, including an "unusually aggressive temperament towards human beings and animals" and "an extraordinary directness in their method of attack that does not include common warning signs such as barking or growling."

Those who own dogs that meet the definition of "pit bull" must always keep the dog securely confined indoors, in a locked pen, or muzzled. Exceptions are made for when dogs are participating in dog shows or hunting.

Among other requirements, all veterinary offices, kennels, commercial breeders, commercial animal establishments, pet shops, and dog groomers must post a sign highlighting the pit bull law and local animal control contact information to report anyone who is not abiding by these laws. A kennel is defined in law as any establishment where dogs are kept that are not owned by the kennel owner.

The American Kennel Club strongly opposes any legislation that determines a dog to be "dangerous" based on specific breeds or phenotypic classes of dogs. We support laws that: establish a fair process by which specific dogs are identified as "dangerous" based on stated, measureable actions; impose appropriate penalties on irresponsible owners; and establish a well-defined method for dealing with dogs proven to be dangerous.

Click here for more info: https://www.akc.org/press_center/article.cfm?article_id=4836

Minnesota to Consider Breeder Regulations on Wednesday (2/13)

February 8, 2013

The Minnesota House Civil Law Committee will consider a bill on Wednesday, February 13 that would require licensing and inspections of "commercial dog breeders" and require all who meet the vague definition of "hobby breeders" to register with the state.

The AKC has numerous concerns with House File 84 and the significant burden it would place on responsible Minnesota dog breeders, while doing nothing to improve the lives of dogs in the state.

AKC encourages dog owners and breeders to contact the members of the committee and consider attending Wednesday's hearing to express your concerns with House File 84.

Click here for more info: http://www.akc.org/press_center/article.cfm?article_id=4838