[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: VA H2927 First Statewide Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill
- From: SCHARO1@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 15:39:37 EST
In a message dated 1/24/2005 6:53:13 P.M. Central Standard Time,
rpoa@xxxxxxxxx writes:
"No breeding" and "all pets spayed/neutered" = "No pets" ten years from
now -- the animal rights agenda in action. If this passes in VA, it will be
in Texas next.
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A new Legislative Alert has been posted on the AKC's Web site. To view this
alert, please click on the following link:
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2401
AKC Canine Legislation Department
Virginia Breeders Face Licensing and Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill!
[Monday, January 24, 2005]
Immediate help is needed to oppose H2927, a bill that would require
"releasing agencies" to sterilize and microchip all animals prior to
adoption. Releasing agencies are defined animal shelters, rescue groups,
dealers, pet stores, and "for-profit breeders." Responsible hobby breeders
who sell any animals to the public, regardless of whether they truly make
money or even recoup veterinary expenses, will likely be considered
for-profit. Violators will face a $150 fine.
H2927 would further require dealers to obtain a $150 annual business
license. In Virginia, "dealers" include "anyone who in the regular course of
business for compensation or profit buys, sells, transfers, exchanges or
barters companion animals." Again, a hobby breeder who sells even one puppy
could be interpreted as being a dealer. Under the bill, dealers could not
advertise their services without a valid business license, and the license
number would have to be included in any newspaper advertisements. Violations
of any portion of the licensing requirement would be fined $1,000.
Points to Consider:
A state-mandated program such as this will be extremely costly,
time-consuming and ineffectual for local animal control authorities to
enforce. It also places undue burden on responsible sellers while
discouraging personal responsibility among pet purchasers.
Many responsible hobby breedersâ??those who give the utmost care, attention
and socialization to their animalsâ??will not be able to afford to continue
their breeding programs. Puppy buyers in search of purebred dogs will
inevitably seek out less reputable breeders who have little regard for the
welfare of the dogs they produce and who do not accept responsibility for
placing puppies in caring, responsible homes. Increased costs will be passed
on to consumers.
Spay/neuter requirements would restrict the many responsible breeders who
raise and breed purebred dogs for the purpose of showing. These breeders
make a serious commitment to their animals, with the intention of promoting
the sport of purebred dogs and preserving breed characteristics of the
individual breeds.
Spaying and neutering is a surgical procedure that may not be right for all
animals. These procedures should be performed only after consultation with
and a thorough examination by a licensed veterinarian.
The US Congress defined "commercial breeder" in the Animal Welfare Act as
"persons who derive a substantial portion of their income from the sale of
dogs and cats for pets." Thus, the federal government did not intend to
cover non-commercial hobby or show breeders under the Animal Welfare Act.
States should therefore follow the direction of the federal government and
exempt hobby and show breeders.
Mandatory spay/neuter is an ineffective solution to animal control problems
because it fails to address the heart of the issueâ??irresponsible ownership.
Strongly enforced animal control laws and increased public education efforts
are better ways to address the issue of irresponsible dog ownership.
Effective leash laws would prevent irresponsible owners from letting their
pets run loose, leading to accidental breeding.
A public education campaign would help teach community residents about how
to properly care for their pets, as well as the need to be a responsible pet
owner.
If pet population issues are indeed a concern in Virginia, then AKC believes
an objective study group should be formed to address this issue, with input
from members of various animal organizations, including purebred dog
breeders. Such a study group should explore the many reasons why animals are
relinquished to shelters, including animal behavior problems, an owner
moving or having a child, or a poor breed match for an owner's lifestyle.
What You Can Do:
Contact the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee
today. H2927 is expected to be referred there. Ask them to vote "No" on this
poorly-written legislation!
House Agriculture Chesapeake & Natural Resources
House Committee Operations
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: 804/698-1540
Del. M. K. "Kirk" Cox (R) [Chair] (804/698-1066 FAX: 804/786-6310 Email:
del_Cox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. R. Lee Ware (R) [Vice Chair] (Phone: 804/698-1065 FAX:804/786-6310
Email: del_Ware@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Kristen Jane Amundson (D) (Phone:804/698-1044 Email:
Del_Amundson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. L. Preston Bryant (R) (Phone:804/698-1023, FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
del_Bryant@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Kathy J. Byron (R) (Phone:804/698-1022 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
del_Byron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Ben L. Cline (R) (Phone:804/698-1024 Email:
Del_Cline@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Albert C Eisenberg (D) (Phone:804/698-1047)
Del. Clarke N. Hogan (R) (Phone:804/698-1060 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
Del_Hogan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Allen L. Louderback (R) (Phone:804/698-1015 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
Del_Louderback@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Floyd H. Miles (D) (Phone:804/698-1047 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
Del_Miles@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Harvey B. Morgan (R) Phone:804/698-1098 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
del_Morgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Robert "Bobby" Orrock (R) (Phone:804/698-1054 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
del_orrock@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Kenneth R. Plum (D) (Phone:804/698-1036 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
del_Plum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Christopher B. Saxman (R) (Phone:804/698-1020 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
del_saxman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Edward T. Scott (R) (Phone:804/698-1030)
Del. Stephen C Shannon (D) (Phone:804/698-1035)
Del. Beverly J. Sherwood (R) (Phone:804/698-1029 FAX:804/698-1829 Email:
del_sherwood@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. James M. Shuler (D) (Phone:804/698-1012 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
del_Schuler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Jackie T. Stump (D) (Phone:804/698-1003 Email:
del_Stump@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Mitchell Van Yahres (D) (Phone:804/698-1057 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
del_VanYahres@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Glenn M. Weatherholtz (R) (Phone:804/698-1026, FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
del_Weatherholtz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Del. Thomas C. Wright (R) (Phone:804/698-1061 FAX:804/786-6310 Email:
del_Ruff@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
Contact the bill sponsor and express your opposition to H2927!
Del. Terry Gilgore
General Assembly Bldg #714
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone:804/698-1001
FAX:804/786-6310
Email: del_Kilgore@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For more information, contact:
The Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and Breeders, Luvwelsh@xxxxxxx
AKC's Canine Legislation department, doglaw@xxxxxxx, 919-816-3720
To share information, subscribe or unsubscribe,
please send an e-mail message to rpoa@xxxxxxxxxx
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
900 NE Loop 410 #205-D
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 822-6763
Fax: (210) 822-9038
E-mail: rpoa@xxxxxxxxx
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