[ SHOWGSD-L ] Fwd: New Mexico - S188 Breed Specific Legislation Introduced
- From: SCHARO1@xxxxxxx
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- Date: Fri, 28 Jan 2005 07:28:22 EST
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In a message dated 1/27/2005 7:42:27 P.M. Central Standard Time, =20
rpoa@xxxxxxxxx writes:
From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance,
the reasonable voice regarding animal issues.
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is an animal welfare organization,
not "animal rights" and, yes, there is a difference.
Permission is granted to crosspost with
credit given to the TX-RPOA List.
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3D2405
AKC Legislative Alert
AKC Canine Legislation Department
doglaw@xxxxxxx
BSL Introduced in New Mexico
[Wednesday, January 26, 2005]
Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort last week introduced the "Pit Bull Breeding Ban Act=
"
(S188). Provisions of the bill will place severe restrictions on ownership
and acquisition of a "pit bull" (defined as a Pit Bull Terrier, American Pi=
t
Bull Terrier, or dog identifiable as or known as a pit bull. Owners of thes=
e
dogs must not:
* Acquire a pit bull after July 1, 2005
* Breed a pit bull either privately or commercially
* Keep existing pit bulls unless they are
Spayed or neutered
* Licensed at a cost of $250 per year
* Kept indoors or outside in a six-foot-tall iron or steel pen with roof
* Chained and muzzled when off the owner's property
* Covered by a $100,000 liability insurance policy or surety bond
* Pit bull owners will face $1000 fine if their dog is found at large.
In addition, the bill automatically declares the following breeds
"dangerous" and subjects them to additional fines and restrictions: Akita,
Alaskan Malamute, American or "Old Country" Bull Dog, Boxer, Presa Canario,
Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Great Dane, Rottweiler,
Siberian Husky and wolf-hybrids. Finally, S188 would impose new fines on
owners of any dogs that bite.
What Is the AKC's Position?
The American Kennel Club opposes S188. Instead, we support reasonable,
enforceable, non-discriminatory laws to govern dog ownership and require
owners to be responsible. We do not believe that banning breeds is the
answer to animal control problems. Since any breed of dog can be trained to
be aggressive and to attack, eliminating certain breeds will only make
irresponsible owners select a new breed to train. In the process, however,
many responsible owners will be forced to part with dogs that have become
loving members of their family.
Enacting leash laws, implementing strong efforts to teach responsible dog
ownership, and clearer guidelines for communities to manage dangerous dogs
are all more effective ways of dealing with this important safety issue.
What Is the AKC Doing to Help?
AKC and responsible dog owners in New Mexico have been monitoring this issu=
e
closely since Sen. Beffort first announced her intention to sponsor
breed-specific legislation last fall. Understanding her desire to keep
communities safe, the Canine Legislation department sent the Senator model
dangerous dog legislation along with a statement in support of such a
measure rather than one that targeted certain breeds. New Mexico fanciers
have also attempted to work with Sen. Beffort's office, but their efforts
were rebuked.
On a more positive note, AKC and purebred dog owners have been in touch wit=
h
other New Mexico legislators who support enactment of a strong but generic
dangerous dog law. We will continue to offer our resources and materials to
these and other interested individuals. AKC was pleased to note the recent
introduction of H400, known as the "Dangerous Dog Act," at the request of
Governor Richardson's office this week. This legislation makes a much more
reasonable attempt than does S188 at resolving New Mexico's problems with
dangerous dogs.
What You Can Do:
S188 has been jointly referred to the Senate Public Affairs and Judiciary
Committees. Please contact the committee members and urge them to oppose
S188!
Senate Public Affairs Committee
Capitol Building
Santa Fe, NM 87503
Phone: 505-986-4714
Sen. Dede Feldman (Chair) Phone: 505-986-4482, E-mail:
dede.feldman@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Mary Jane Garcia Phone: 505-986-4726, E-mail:
maryjane.garcia@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Stuart Ingle Phone: 505-986-4726
Sen. Gay Kernan Phone: 505-986-4274, E-mail: ggkern@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Steve Komadina Phone: 505- 986-4377, E-mail: komadina@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx=
m
Sen. Steven Neville Phone: 505-986-4266, E-mail: nmsenate@xxxxxxx
Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino Phone: 505-986-4380, E-mail: jortizyp@xxxxxxx
Sen. Mary Kay Papen Phone: 505-986-4270
Sen. James Taylor Phone: 505-986-4862, E-mail: jamesg.taylor@xxxxxxxxxxx
Senate Judiciary Committee
Capitol Building
Santa Fe, NM 87503
Phone: 505-986-4714
Sen. Cisco McSorley (Chair) Phone: 505- 986-4485, E-mail:
cisco.mcsorley@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Richard Martinez Phone: 505-986-4389, E-mail:
richardc.martinez@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Rod Adair Phone: 505-986-4385, E-mail: radair@xxxxxxx
Sen. Kent Cravens Phone: 505-986-4391, E-mail: klcravens@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. John Grubesic Phone: 505-986-4260, E-mail: john.grubesic@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Clinton Harden Phone: 505-986-4369, E-mail: charden@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Linda Lopez Phone: 505-986-4737
Sen. William Payne Phone: 505-986-4276, E-mail: william.payne@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sen. Lidio Rainaldi Phone: 505-986-4310
Sen. Michael Sanchez Phone: 505-986-4727, E-mail: senatormssanchez@xxxxxxx
Points to Consider:
Breed-specific laws are unfair to responsible owners of the restricted
breeds. Deeds, not breeds, should be the determining factor.
A strongly enforced dangerous dog law would force all owners to be
responsible, regardless of what breed they own.
Breed-specific laws increase burden and costs for municipalities.
Administrative costs, enforcement costs, and shelter costs will increase
under S188.
Countless national animal organizations=E2=80=94American Kennel Club, Ameri=
can
Veterinary Medical Association, American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, National Animal Control Association, National Animal
Interest Alliance, and others=E2=80=94oppose breed-specific legislation bec=
ause they
know it simply doesn't work. No animal welfare group supports these bills.
For more information, contact:
Rio Grande Kennel Club
BEDRCKBOUV@xxxxxxx
AKC's Canine Legislation department
919-816-3720, doglaw@xxxxxxx
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San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 822-6763
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E-mail: rpoa@xxxxxxxxx
Website: http://www.responsiblepetowners.org
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