[ SHOWGSD-L ] AB 1634.doc...print this & send
- From: "RivendellP" <rivendellp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Showgsd-l" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2007 11:23:54 -0700
April 5, 2007
Ms. Valerie Fenstemaker
Executive Director
California Veterinary Medical Association
1400 River Park Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95815-4505
Dear Ms. Fenstemaker:
I am writing on behalf of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America to express
our opposition to the CA AB 1634, the "California Healthy Pets Act" and to
request the CVMA not support this bill.
The GSDC of A is a club of 4000+ members with nearly a thousand that live in
the state of California. The GSDC of A also has a committee that supports and
works to create "responsible pet legislation". Responsible Animal Legislation
Educational Effort Federation (RALEEF) supports education rather than
legislation. RALEEF and GSDC of A members promote responsible pet ownership and
work for improvements in the care and conditions under which animals are kept
and raised.
The GSDC of A opposed mandatory sterilization laws for many reasons. Current
law considers animals the private property of their owners. Those owners have
fundamental rights accompanying property ownership guaranteed by the
Constitution of the United States. The most important right is that of a
property owner to make decisions about "their property". If AB 1634 were
adopted, it would terminate a dog or cat owner's ability to make critical
decisions regarding their pets. It would prohibit pet owners and their
veterinarian from making discretionary decisions together regarding
sterilization. If the vet decides that it is not in the pet's best interest to
be spayed or neutered at four months of age, this mandatory law requires the
vet to write a letter to the local agency explaining why he made such a
decision. This process undermines the veterinarian's training, expertise, and
the ability to make decisions based on the well being of each individual animal.
AB 1634 eliminates the decision to spay or neuter or delay the procedure from
the vet and gives it instead, to local authorities not versed with expertise in
veterinary medicine. Such a letter must be written 30 days after the pet turns
4 months of age. The letter also mandates arrangements to alter the pet within
75 days from that date of compliance. If the vet determines that it is still
unsafe to perform the procedure, he must submit yet a 2nd letter explaining the
decision. It is highly possible, several letters might be sent on one animal
with the vet becoming a secretary rather than a healer of our great pets. An
unforeseen consequence of AB 1634 is that pet owners who disagree with this law
due to their pet's health concerns may choose to delay the initial visit to
their veterinarian. Such a delay could easily jeopardize the health of that
pet. Contrary to claims that spaying or neutering always improves health, there
are well-documented medical and behavioral problems that can occur from
neutering too early. Thus, there is little consensus in the veterinary
community regarding the best, or safest time to perform this procedure. AB 1634
removes that decision from the very vets who are best able to determine
treatment.
Proponents of MSN assume that pets end up in shelters because of overpopulation
and MSN will solve that problem. However, MSN proponents ignore information
already published on the Humane Society of the United State's own web site.
Seven out of ten dogs and cats are "already" spayed or neutered by their
responsible pet owners and the number of animals entering the shelters have be
declining over the past years. Communities that have passed such coercive and
draconian laws have actually found them to be counter productive with fewer of
the "responsible pet owners" complying with the new law. Registrations plummet
and so do the fees so essential in supporting the agencies AB 1634 will count
on to oversee yet another unfunded mandate from the California Legislature. The
end result will be a drop in responsible pet owners and they will join the
irresponsible pet owners who pay no attention to any law. AB 1634 hurts the
most responsible citizens in the State. Educating the irresponsible pet owners
children is the key to this problem.
Local agencies will become the enforcement arm of the State thru passage of AB
1634. These agencies are already overwhelmed dealing with the day-to-day
operations of their community. Enforcing AB 1634 will put additional
administrative burdens on them and each local agency will have to determine how
much money will be needed to run and enforce this bad law. If the intact fee's
do not cover those costs, ultimately is becomes the burden of the Animal
Control Office to raise those funds and local citizens will suffer those costs.
AB 1634 will also frighten residents from applying for an "intact permit". That
could also delay those seeking veterinary care for a sick pet. Intact owners
would face 2 fees, one for licensing and the intact fee. Such increases could
prevent an owner from seeking needed care for their pets.
Local agencies will also have discretion to decide whether or not to grant an
intact permit based upon a recognized registry approved by the local Animal
Control Agency. Due to the numerous breed registries around the world, it is
unreasonable for a local agency employee to make that decision regarding the
recognition of a breed. Equally confounding, is what may happen to some service
dogs may not be registered with the approved registry. Local agencies will be
responsible for setting fees for intact permits and no limitations apply. AB
1634 will create a state where only the affluent will be able to own an intact
dog and many hobby breeders who show their dogs in a variety of venues will be
forced to discontinue those activities.
AB 1634 will affect the economy and employment in California, too. Every
weekend there is a dog or cat related event that brings income and abets jobs
in California communities. Billions are spent every year at fairgrounds,
restaurants, hotels, and other pet related businesses. AB 1634 will cause many
exhibitors to cease those activities, as they can no longer afford to pay the
increased fees. Such reduced participation will affect restaurants, hotels, gas
stations, and every other business these exhibitors will use.
Truly the most unfortunate consequence of AB 1634's passage is that individuals
who do not take responsibility for their pets will continue to avoid those
responsibilities and add many to their rolls. They don't obey existing laws so
why would anyone think they would have an epiphany and begin now? The answer is
"they would not" and AB 1634 would go on to punish responsible dog and cat
owners who will be burdened and financially punished because of the
irresponsible actions of the irresponsible. Education is the key and if the
California Legislature would invest the money to teach those from K thru 12
"Responsible Pet Ownership 101"...they would graduate class after class of
responsible pet owners and reduce any such perceived problems around the state.
Teachers teaching students the importance of saving cans created it certainly
worked with recycling a whole new billion-dollar industry!
The German Shepherd Dog Club of America and RALEEF are willing to support such
education. AB 1634 will not accomplish the results it claims and we urge the
CVMA to withdraw support for such an invasive ill-conceived bill.
Sincerely,
Paul Root- Chairman & Board Member
RALEEF- GSDC of A
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