MN- Problematic "Dangerous Dog" Bill

Problematic Dangerous Dog Bill Introduced in Minnesota

[Wednesday, February 20, 2008]
Minnesota House File 3245, sponsored by Representative Dennis Ozment, seeks to lift the state's current prohibition on breed-specific legislation. If passed and signed into law, the changes imposed by this bill would have a profound impact on all dog owners in Minnesota. It is imperative that all dog owners and breeders in Minnesota contact the members of the House Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee to express their opposition to the bill as currently written.

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

As currently worded, HF 3245 conflicts with AKC's reasonable, non-discriminatory dangerous dog position. Specifically, it would:
Establish a task force to study and recommend a uniform, statewide, mandatory system of dog owner and dog obedience education training according to commonly accepted standards and best practices for each breed or mixed breed of dog.


Allow all statutory or home rule charter cities, or counties, to recommend to the task force specific breeds of dogs to be designated as dangerous or potentially dangerous based solely on the specific breed of dog.
For a copy of the bill, click here.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Contact the members of the Minnesota House Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee who will consider this bill. Let them know that, if passed as currently written, HF 3245 will result in unfair and discriminatory dangerous dog policy in Minnesota.

Representative Joe Mullery, Chairman
(651) 296-4262
rep.joe.mullery@house.mn

Representative Jeremy Kalin, Vice Chairman
(651) 296-5377
rep.jeremy.kalin@house.mn

Representative Paul Kohls
(651) 296-4282
rep.paul.kohls@house.mn

Representative Karla Bigham
(651) 296-4342
rep.karla.bigham@house.mn

Representative Tony Cornish
(651) 296-4240
rep.tony.cornish@house.mn

Representative Chris DeLaForest
(651) 296-4231
rep.chris.delaforest@house.mn

Representative Tom Emmer
(651) 296-4336
rep.tom.emmer@house.mn

Representative Debra Hilstrom
(651) 296-3709
rep.debra.hilstom@house.mn

Representative Mary Liz Holberg
(651) 296-6926
rep.mayliz.holberg@house.mn

Representative Sheldon Johnson
(651) 296-4201
rep.sheldon.johnson@house.mn

Representative Scott Kranz
(651) 296-4226
rep.scott.kranz@house.mn

Representative John Lesch
(651) 296-4224
rep.john.lesch@house.mn

Representative Leon Lillie
(651) 296-1188
rep.leon.lillie@house.mn

Representative Dave Olin
(651) 296-9635
rep.dave.olin@house.mn

Representative Michael Paymar
(651) 296-4199
rep.michael.paymar@house.mn

Representative Brita Sailer
(651) 296-4265
rep.brita.sailer@house.mn

Representative Steve Simon
(651) 296-9889
rep.steve.simon@house.mn

Representative Steve Smith
(651) 296-9188
rep.steve.smith@house.mn

Representative Torrey Westrom
(651) 296-4929
rep.torrey.westrom@house.mn

For more information, contact AKC's Canine Legislation Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.