Don't be shocked. Get involved. Stuff like this is everywhere. The animal-rights people have been largely successful in taking on a mainstream image and presenting themselves as the nation's authorities on animal care and welfare. Their PAC gives money to hundreds of legislators, who are proud to be labeled "pet-friendly." In the interest of dealing with "pet overpopulation," "puppy mills," and various other perceived problems, they craft legislation whose real intent is to halt the breeding of dogs altogether. Frequently they target the best breeders, presumably so later the only "purebreds" will be from commercial breeders and they can claim nothing distinguishes them from mutts.
Far worse proposals than this are on the way in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Albuquerque, NM has a lengthy new law defining many standard pet-care practices as "animal cruelty" and giving the government broad authority to impound and sterilize your animals. Louisville, KY has adopted an ordinance of nearly 100 pages containing many intrusive, stupid requirements.
Last year we barely defeated Senate bill 1139, the Pet Animal Welfare Statute, whose ultimate goal was to have all dog and cat breeders regulated and inspected by the USDA. Don't think that because your care standards are high, you'd survive inspection. You'd have to build a very expensive, engineered building for your dogs--a building which would violate zoning ordinances for most of us. "Dogs used for hunting" were singled out for additional restrictions. While sponsor Rick Santorum of PA was resoundingly voted out of office, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin has announced his intention to bring PAWS back in the current Congress.
For those who don't know, AKC
supported this horrible legislation.
If this disturbs you, and I hope it does, please get involved. It is not hard to find out who your representatives are, or to send them a letter, FAX, or email letting them know that proposed legislation affects you, that it does not have the "animal-friendly" effect they think it does, and that you vigorously oppose it.
SAOVA is actively fighting anti-pet, anti-hunting legislation and would welcome your interest and support. Visit us at
http://www.saova.org . Our "news and updates" page includes writeups on some of the statewide and local ordinances and proposals.
Amy Dahl