[ SHOWGSD-L ] AKC Oklahoma, your new rules to live by, a repeat

  • From: Stormy Hope <Stormy435@xxxxxxx>
  • To: GSD list <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 22 May 2010 07:32:32 -0700

11 intact females over 6 months of age, owned or co-owned requires  
kennel license.
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_idA21

Oklahoma Legislative Recap

[Wednesday, May 19, 2010]

The American Kennel Club wishes to thank all those who worked so hard
during the 2010 legislative session to oppose Senate Bill 1712 and to
ensure that laws that govern dog breeders in Oklahoma are reasonable,
enforceable and fair.

Despite the efforts of many responsible dog owners and breeders, the
measure was passed by House and Senate and signed by Governor Henry
shortly after the conclusion of the session.

We are providing the following recap of the bill, and information on
what you can expect to help you plan for changes in the Oklahoma law. As
always, the AKC urges all dog owners to know, understand and comply with
the laws of their jurisdictions.

Bill Summary:

Known as the "Commercial Pet Breeders Act", SB 1712 expands government
regulation of anyone who breeds dogs or cats and who owns more than 11
intact females of either species. The bill?s vague definition of
commercial breeder includes no time frame, which means it could require
anyone who owns or co-owns more than 11 intact females over 6 months of
age and has ever bred a dog or cat, even if they are not currently
breeding their animals, to be licensed as a commercial breeder. The
amended bill does not exempt sportsmen, and it will also require many of
those who maintain hunting dogs to license their hobby kennels as
commercial enterprises.

SB 1712 will require owners or co-owners of 11 or more intact female
dogs to be licensed as commercial breeders, regardless of whether those
animals are being bred. It does not impose a limit on the number of dogs
a person may own or maintain. Licensees will be subject to:

* Pre-licensure inspection of facilities.
* Separate licenses for each premise.
* At least one inspection annually, during normal business hours of
each facility kept by the licensee.
* Additional inspections based on written complaints received by
the Board.
* License display requirements at the licensed facility.
* License number disclosure requirements on advertisements, sales
contracts, and transfer agreements.
* Annual reporting requirements.
* Record-keeping requirements for each dog maintained in a
licensee?s facility.

Licensees who violate the act may have their license revoked, and be
subject to a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500 and/or a
year in jail. Those who interfere with an inspector may be subject to a
fine of up to $1,000 and/or two years in jail.

Next Steps:

The measure created an 8-member "Board of Commercial Breeders" to
develop specific regulations and enforce and administer the provisions
of the act. This new board is required to begin meeting in June and to
adopt all rules by November 1, 2010. All licensees are required to come
into compliance by January 1, 2011.

The AKC has not yet received specific information on board members, but
we do know the board will consist of the following:

* A representative of the dog or cat breeding industry appointed by
the Governor.
* A representative of an animal welfare association appointed by
the Governor.
* A representative of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association
appointed by the Governor.
* A representative at large appointed by the Governor.
* The Dean of the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary
Health Sciences or designee.
* The Dean of the Oklahoma State University Division of
Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Administration or designee.
* The Chair of the Oklahoma Tax Commission or designee.

The purpose of the board will be to:

* Adopt rules establishing license fees, procedures and
requirements for license application and renewal, conditions under which
licenses are revoked or denied, and qualifications for registered
breeder inspectors.
* Establish minimum standards for proper veterinary care,
treatment, feeding and watering, shelter and confinement, grooming,
exercise, socialization, transportation, disposition of dogs, and other
standards it deems necessary to protect the public health and the health
and welfare of animals.
* Establish and maintain a public directory of licensed commercial
pet breeders.

All licensees are required to come into compliance by January 1, 2011.
Again, the AKC urges all dog owners and breeder to know, understand, and
comply with laws of their jurisdictions.

For more information, check the AKC GR website,
www.akc.org/canine_legislation, for updates or contact AKC?s Government
Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, ordoglaw@xxxxxxxx
============================================================================
POST is Copyrighted 2010.  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@xxxxxxxxxxx

VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org
NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/
============================================================================

Other related posts:

  • » [ SHOWGSD-L ] AKC Oklahoma, your new rules to live by, a repeat - Stormy Hope