MD- Anti-breeder bill to be heard Feb. 18

Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 9:31 PM

The Maryland Dog Federation seeks your support in opposing SB
318, a bill that would be detrimental to the dog hobby and fancy.
Please be on the lookout for updates.
Please visit www.marylanddogfederation.com to read about Maryland SB318. Take
action today. This bill would impact dog show participants,
hobbyists, and handlers; law enforcement dog breeders,and service
dog breeders.
Please do THREE things TODAY:
1. Contact the sponsors(info below)
2. Plan to attend and/or testify against SB 318 on February 18, 1pm
3. Tell anyone who would be impacted by SB 318 to do the same (Crossposting permitted) If you are going to be able to testify- drop a line to
the maryland dog federation at marylanddogfederation@yahoo.com.
We want to hear from you, especially if you're planning to testify.
SB 318 could impose unrealistic and unnecessary space and
exercise requirements on anyone "with custody of" ten or more intact
dogs over 4 months of age. Anyone with "custody" of more than
10 "breeding" dogs older than four months of age would be subject to
restrictions concerning
· Housing
· Enclosures
· And mandates a minimum amount of time the dog must spend outsidethe enclosure being walked(2 hours a day)
Maryland Dog Federation strongly endorses your right to own, keep and breed dogs in a responsible and humane manner. We believe that responsible dog ownership is compatible with most living arrangements. Many Maryland residents are deeply committed to their dogs and the many sports of dogs, including conformation,
and obedience, agility, and many other wholesome activities that can
be shared among generations. All-breed dog shows generate millions
of dollars in entertainment revenue in the state. The Maryland
Dog Federation strongly opposes SB 318 bill on the following
grounds:
There is no exemption for people who show their dogs or participate in other dog sports, which require dogs to remain intact in order to compete.

It would not be unusual for a show breeder to have 10 intact dogs
over four months of age; for example, a couple of adult dogs and a
litter of puppies that have not yet gone to new homes.

Not only are there no exemptions for the hobby breeder, the law
specifically exempts PET STORES and PUPPY STORES!

Passage of this bill would also affect breeders of law
enforcement dogs, guide dogs, and service dogs. Because the aptitude
for work is not evident until they are older, future generations of
these dogs could be wiped out if they are required to be sterilized
at 4 months in order to remain where they are.

Simply having intact dogs doesn't mean they are breeding dogs.
Many breeds of dogs simply do not have the exercise requirements
mandated in SB 318.

The MDF believes the sponsor of this bill IS open to alternatives;
her objective is to eliminate true "puppy mills", not legitimate
breeders. However, we DO need to stop this bill on February 18th.
Please send thoughtful, polite, but firm message to the bill's
sponsors today:

Lisa Gladden (D-41, Balt City, also co-chair of Judicial Proceedings
Committee)
Miller Senate Office Bldg
2 East Wing
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3697
(301) 858-3697
Lisa.gladden@senate.state.md.us
Fax (410) 841-3142 (301) 858-3142
____________ _________ _________ _
George Della, Jr. (D-46, Balt City)
James Senate Office Bldg Rm 201
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3600
(301) 858-3600
George.della@senate.state.md.us
Fax (410) 841-3161 (301) 858-3161
____________ _________ _________ _
Richard Madaleno Jr. (D-10 Mont)
James Senate Office Bldg Rm 203
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3137
(301) 858-3137
Richard.madaleno@senate.state.md.us
Fax (410) 841-3676 (301) 858-3676
____________ _________ _________ __
Norman Stone (D-6, Balt County also, member of Judicial Proceedings
Committee)
James Senate Office Bldg Rm 216
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3587
(301) 858-3587
Norman.stone@senate.state.md.us
Fax (410) 841-3218 (301) 858-3218
____________ _________ _________ _
The bill will be heard by the Judicial Proceedings committee on 2/18
at 1pm. Contact information for committee members
The contact info for the additional committee members will be posted
on the Maryland Federations of Dog Clubs tomorrow.

Chair, Brian Frosh
Vice Chair, Lisa Gladden
James Brochin
Jennie Forehand
Larry Haines
Nancy Jacobs
Alexander Mooney
C. Anthony Muse
Jamie Raskin
Bryan Simonaire
Norman Stone, Jr.
Committee Staff: Susan Russell Shirleen
Pilgrim (410) 946-5510 / (301) 970-5510
Assistant to Chair: Lynn Hudson