[Tuesday, April 21, 2009] The AKC has learned that Oklahoma HB 1332 may be heard by the Senate this week, as the Oklahoma legislative calendar prepares to wind down for the session. The AKC is opposed to several measures within HB 1332, which as currently written, infringe on the rights of the many responsible dog owners and breeders in Oklahoma. These include: * Allowing for warrantless inspections of private homes and properties without probable cause. The AKC urges clarification of this provision to allow searches/inspections to be executed solely by law enforcement or animal control personnel, and only of quality assurance licensees under the act. In all other instances, probable cause and a warrant issued by a neutral magistrate should be required. * Limiting the number of dogs a person may sell in a year. Numerical limits are arbitrary, difficult to enforce, and do not address the problem of irresponsible ownership. Local responsible breeders should be viewed as assets to their communities. These breeders make serious commitments to their animals by raising healthy, well-cared-for dogs and by working to ensure that puppies are placed with responsible owners. Responsible breeders are in a unique position to support new pet owners and exemplify responsible dog ownership. They should not be unfairly punished through arbitrary limits on sales. * An advisory committee governing kennel regulation that does not include breeder representation. A group that oversees kennel regulation should include a representative of the Oklahoma Animal Interest Alliance, which is the AKC's recognized federation of responsible breeders, owners, fanciers, and enthusiasts in Oklahoma. We also believe this committee should include the interests of puppy buyers, represented by a consumer advocate. In its current form, HB 1332, punishes responsible breeders and infringes on their constitutional rights. We urge the Oklahoma Legislature to reject House Bill 1332 as currently written and consider the AKC's recommendations to ensure all parties are fully protected under the act. What You Can Do: * Call, email or fax your representative in the Oklahoma Senate and urge him or her to oppose HB 1332 as currently written. To find out who represents you in the Oklahoma State Senate select the address tab found at this link. http://www.capitolconnect.com/oklahoma/ * For a sample letter to personalize, please click here: (Webmaster please link to attached sample letter). * For a fact sheet about this legislation, please click here (Webmaster please link to attached fact sheet.) * For more information and tips on contacting your representative, please view the following AKC publications: o Disagree Diplomatically o Make Your Contact Count o Preparing For Action For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@xxxxxxxx Government Relations Department American Kennel Club 8051 Arco Corporate Drive Suite 100 Raleigh, NC 27617-3390 (919) 816-3720 (919) 816-4275 FAX ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Stormy Hope www.carpoc.org AKC Legislative Liaison, GSDCA Sunshine Squad <showgsd.org/sunshine.html) GSDs and more ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2008. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================