IL- AKC Deeply Concerned by Illinois Anti Crop/Dock bill

Tuesday, February 03, 2009]
The American Kennel Club is deeply concerned by Illinois Senate Bill 139. The bill, introduced by Senator Terry Link, the majority caucus whip, seeks to severely limit the practices of tail docking and ear cropping in the state. It is imperative that all concerned Illinois dog owners contact their elected representatives and the bill’s sponsor and express their strong opposition to this attempt to fundamentally change breed standards by limiting acceptable practices of animal husbandry that are accompanied by appropriate veterinary care.

Current Illinois statute allows ear cropping and tail docking done for any legitimate purpose. If SB 139 becomes law, ear cropping and tail docking would be considered "animal torture" under Illinois criminal law and would be allowed only for medical purposes. In effect, SB 139 seeks to fundamentally change many breeds’ characteristics by severely limiting the valid practices of cropping and docking.

The AKC’s policy on the issues of ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal states:

The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided.

The AKC recognizes that ear cropping and tail docking, as prescribed in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character, enhancing good health, and preventing injuries. These breed characteristics ensure the safety of dogs that on a daily basis perform heroic roles with Homeland Security, serve in the U.S. Military, and with Police Departments. These dogs protect tens of thousands of communities throughout our nation and work in the field. Any inference that these procedures are "cosmetic" and unnecessary is a severe mischaracterization that connotes a lack of respect and knowledge of history and the function of purebred dogs.

Breed standards are established and maintained by AKC parent clubs (each of the 158 AKC registered breeds is stewarded by a breed-specific parent club) whose primary purpose is to protect the welfare of their breed and the function it was bred to perform. The American Kennel Club strongly opposes any attempt by lawmakers to fundamentally change breed standards by way of limiting acceptable practices of animal husbandry that are provided with appropriate veterinary care, as SB 139 seeks to do.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Concerned Illinois dog owners are encouraged to contact the bill’s sponsor, Senator Terry Link, and their elected representatives in Springfield, and respectfully yet strongly urge them to oppose this attempted infringement on individual liberties.

Concerned Illinois dog owners, find your state representative and senator’s contact information by clicking here.

Bill sponsor Senator Terry Link
Springfield Office:
321 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: (217) 782-8181

District Office:
906 Muir Avenue
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Phone: (847) 735-8181
FAX: (847) 735-8184

RESOURCES:

To customize a letter of opposition, please http://www.akc.org/canine_legislation/IL_Sample_Letter_crop_dock_2009.doc.

For a copy of the full legislation, please click here.

For tips on how to effectively communicate with legislators, please click here.

For a copy of our Disagree Diplomatically brochure, please click here.

For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.

Bad laws break up families- force owners to give up dogs they otherwise would be keeping

Today I got an email from a friend that had been forwarded from someone she knew. The email was a plea for help. It was asking for help finding a home for a 5 year old "pit bull". The owner was in the military and was moving to on-base housing and there is a ban on "pit bulls" on base. The email went on to say what a great dog this is, how much the owner loved the dog, and that he really wanted to find a good home for this dog.

Imagine- this guy has had this dog for 5 years and now, because of some PERCEIVED problem, he is forced to give the dog up.

It reminded me of another situation where one of my former neighbors gave up her adult Rottweiler because (a different neighbor) kept calling the police on her every time the dog was barking. This dog was a family pet, but would bark a lot while he was outside playing with the kids. The town we lived in (I have since moved) had a "noise ordinance" and one man in the neighborhood was a real jerk. The police only knew two options, 1st- we fine you for a violation of the noise ordinance, and 2nd- the dog must go.

There was another option to the "Dog must go"- the dog could have been "bark softened" "debarked"- what ever term you call it. This very, very simple procedure could have kept an adult dog with his family.

If you have not gotten the Animal Rights message Loud and Clear- eliminate animal ownership- then you are not listening.

Right now many states, (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania to name two) are reviewing laws that would make procedures such as "debarking" illegal. Many states (Hawaii and Montana to name two) are reviewing breed specific legislation. These laws only cause families to give up dogs that were otherwise beloved pets. THEN the Animal Rights groups have the nerve to cry, "our shelters are over-flowing and we are forced to kill thousands of dogs a year"- Yeah- well it is YOUR PROPOSED LAWS that are the REASONS for many, many, many of these dogs in shelters to begin with.

The Human Society of the United States (HSUS), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal (PeTA), and some of the very liberal "local" shelters have a great circle going- fund and propose laws that cause dogs to go to shelters, raise money from people while you claim there are too many dogs, get money by adopting those dogs out-use volunteer labor, reduced or donated Veterinary care to reduce the expense of housing shelter dogs, lobby for more legislation.

Lets keep family dogs in their families. Put a stop to ill-conceived dog laws. Contact your ELECTED representive now.

AR- Finally a bill to SUPPORT!

Representative Roy Ragland, Chair of the Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic
Development committee of the Arkansas State House of Representatives has
introduced a bill to protect the rights of animal owners and prohibit any state,
city, county, or private organization from requiring animal owners to register
in any animal identification system. The bill has been referred to the
committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development.

PLEASE let these legislators know we support this legislation that could provide
valuable protection for the rights of all animal owners in the state of Arkansas
by contacting the committee members

HB 1046, Freedom to Farm Act
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1046.pdf

Animal ownership by hobbyists, commercial producers, and home food providers
make valuable contributions to this state.

Animal ownership rights should be protected.

Protecting the right of ownership, production, exhibition,and sale of animals is
integral to ensuring the economic growth and general welfare of this state.

The purpose of the Freedom to Farm Act is to encourage and protect animal
ownership, animals, home food production, direct farm-to-consumer sales, hobby
production, off-farm commercial sales, animal exhibition, and businesses that
serve animal owners.

Unless otherwise required by a law or rule that was in effect before January 1,
2009, no state, county, city, or public or private agency shall require an
animal owner or real estate owner to:

(1) Register or enroll in the National Animal Identification System;
(2) Register the animal owner’s premises or property;
(3) Have a premises identification;
(4) Use an electronic identification device on or in an animal;
(5) Secure a permit or a license for ownership or production of an animal; or
(6) Report the movement, sale, or purchase of an animal.

Referred to the Committee on AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- HOUSE

Membership of the Arkansas AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Committee - HOUSE

Vice Chair Representative Jerry Brown (870) 238-3132
Representative Curren Everett (870) 895-2164

Lobbying and the Influence Peddling in Washington

This morning on National Public Radio, Renee Montagne spoke with Bob Kaiser, the author of the book So Damn Much Money: The Triumph of Lobbying and the Corrosion of American Government. During this interview, Kaiser stated that at times it is the special interst groups that are the ones actually writing the legislation.
We have experience that ourselves - examples include
* the Mass. debarking Act that is currently being proposed
* HSUS's agenda for the Obama Administration
* And direct responses from the special interest group- after you have contacted an elected offical.
These are just three recent examples.
It is important to understand how our government is currently working if we are to make a difference.

MA- An Act Prohibiting Devocalization of Dogs and Cats

Bill number not available at this time.
Democratic state Rep. Lida Harkins of Needham introduced “An Act Prohibiting Devocalization of Dogs and Cats” earlier this month. The bill, drafted by the Animal Law Coalition of Ithaca, N.Y., seeks to limit devocalization, more commonly known as “debarking,” a procedure in which an animal’s vocal cords are cut to quiet them. If it passes, the law would only allow such a procedure if it was deemed medically necessary. State Rep. Sarah Peake, a Democrat from Provincetown who represents the 4th Barnstable District, said she plans to sign on as a co-sponsor by the Feb. 4 deadline and will vote to stop this “cruel process....”

Does anyone else see a problem with the fact that this Act was drafted by a special interest group?

HI- Breed Specific Bill In Hawaii

Hawaii Senator Colleen Hanabusa, president of the Hawaii Senate, has introduced Senate Bill 79, which seeks to prohibit the ownership, possession, or sale of "pit bulls" in the state. The bill defines pit bulls as American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the breed standards established by the American Kennel Club. The AKC vehemently opposes breed-specific legislation. All concerned dog owners in Hawaii are urged to contact their elected representatives and the members of the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee, which currently has cognizance of the bill, and express their respectful yet strong opposition to this hard-to-enforce legislation.
If enacted, SB 79 will:

* Make it a misdemeanor to own, possess, or sell a pit bull.
* Define pit bulls as "any dog that is an American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of those breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of those breeds."
* Allow searches of a pit bull owner’s property.
* Provide for impoundment of dogs considered pit bulls.
* Allow for the forfeiture of such dogs.

To find your elected officials, please click here
Hawaii Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee

Sen. Brian T. Taniguchi, Chair
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 219
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone 808-586-6460; fax 808-586-6461
e-mail sentaniguchi@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Sen. Dwight Y. Takamine, Vice-Chair
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 204
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone 808-586-7335; Fax 808-586-7339
Email sentakamine@capitol.hawaii.gov

Sen. Robert Bunda
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 202
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone 808-586-6090; fax 808-586-6091
e-mail senbunda@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Sen. Mike Gabbard
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 201
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone 808-586-6830; fax 808-586-6679
e-mail sengabbard@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Sen. Clarence K. Nishihara
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 213
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone 808-586-6970
fax 808-586-6879
e-mail sennishihara@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Sen. Sam Slom
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 222
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, HI 96813
phone 808-586-8420; fax 808-586-8426
e-mail senslom@Capitol.hawaii.gov

NE- Breeder Bill to be heard TOMORROW

Nebraska Alert: Strict Breeders Bill to be Heard Tues., Feb. 3!
Nebraska Senator Ken Haar has introduced LB 677, a bill that aims to strictly regulate most dog breeders in Nebraska by imposing ownership limits, dog breeding restrictions, and harsh and unenforceable engineering standards. It is imperative that all concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in Nebraska contact their State Senator and the members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which will consider the bill on Tuesday, February 3, and respectfully urge them to oppose LB 677.If adopted, LB 677 would:

* By April 1, 2010, restrict all those defined as "commercial breeders" under existing Nebraska law to owning no more than 75 dogs over the age of four months, without regard to whether dogs currently kept by such persons over that amount are being well cared for, or that dogs may have to be relinquished as a result of this provision.
* Limit the breeding of purebred dogs only to dogs between the ages of 18 months and eight years of age, without regard to the use of alternative reproduction techniques.
* Mandate the implementation of rigid engineering requirements–including, but not limited to, climate conditions, enclosures, building materials, and construction–without regard to the fiscal impact that such standards would have on targeted breeders or the enforceability of such requirements

We also encourage responsible dog breeders and owners to attend the committee hearing on February 3.

To find your Senator, please click here.

Nebraska Legislature Agriculture Committee Hearing
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
1:30PM
Room 1524
State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509

Members:

Sen. Tom Carlson, Chair
Room 1022
P.O. Box 94604
State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2732
e-mail: tcarlson@leg.ne.gov

Sen. Brenda Council
Room 1115
P.O. Box 94604
State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2612
e-mail: bcouncil@leg.ne.gov

Sen. Cap Dierks
Room 2108
P.O. Box 94604
State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2801
e-mail: mdierks@leg.ne.gov

Sen. Annette Dubas
Room 1018
P.O. Box 94604
State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2630
e-mail: adubas@leg.ne.gov

Sen. Russ Karpisek
Room 1015
P.O. Box 94604
State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2711
e-mail: rkarpisek@leg.ne.gov

Sen. Scott Price
Room 1528
P.O. Box 94604
State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2627
e-mail: sprice@leg.ne.gov

Sen. Ken Schilz
Room 1202
P.O. Box 94604
State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2616
e-mail: kschilz@leg.ne.gov

Sen. Norman Wallman
Room 1406
P.O. Box 94604
State Capitol
Lincoln, NE 68509
Phone: (402) 471-2620
e-mail: nwallman@leg.ne.gov