[ SHOWGSD-L ] AKC<>Strict Breeder Oversight Bills on the Move in Minnesota
- From: stormy435 <stormy435@xxxxxxx>
- To: "showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:44:48 -0700
Strict Breeder Oversight Bills on the Move in Minnesota
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[Tuesday, March 24, 2009]
Two bills that seek to provide strict oversight of responsible dog breeders are
on the move in Minnesota. It is imperative that concerned responsible dog
breeders and owners in Minnesota contact their elected officials in St. Paul as
well as the appropriate committee members listed below, and express their
opposition to the bills as they are currently written.
HF 253
Minnesota House File 253, sponsored by Representative Tom Tillberry of Fridley,
seeks to impose licensure and standards of care upon dog and cat breeders.
While the bill has been amended, several problematic provisions remain. The
American Kennel Club?s Government Relations Department understands that the
bill is up for three, short notice committee hearings this week.
As currently written, HF 253:
* Allows the use of private contributions to fund the development and
administration of the licensing program. This allows private organizations to
become arms of the government?not only would they be able to write, propose,
and fund their legislative agendas, but this would also permit them to enforce
"their" law.
* Exempts rescue groups, humane societies, and animal control authorities
from the standards of care commercial breeders would have to provide should the
bills be enacted.
* Duplicates provisions of the federal Animal Welfare Act and the licensing
provisions of the United States Department of Agriculture, making the bills
unnecessary.
* Is unnecessary because current Minnesota law already addresses animal
cruelty, care and housing in animal facilities.
The American Kennel Club has also learned, contrary to some reports, that
responsible dog and cat breeders, sportsmen and hunting groups have not been
invited to offer any input in the writing of these bills. This is of great
concern, as these groups will be greatly impacted should either of these bills
be adopted.
SF 7
Senate File 7, sponsored by Senator Don Betzold of Fridley, also seeks to
establish strict regulatory requirements for breeders, to require inspections
of breeders? facilities, and to impose undisclosed fee increases upon breeders.
The proposed changes in this bill include:
* Changing the definition of "breeder" to those who own 6 or more intact
adult females, defined as any dog over 24 weeks old, for breeding purposes and
who are engaged in the business of direct or indirect sale or exchange.
* Limiting, by July 2010, the number of dogs a breeder may keep at a
facility for the purpose of breeding to 50.
* Requiring all breeders to obtain an annual license for each facility they
own and operate. Additionally, the statement must include the number of adult
dogs and the estimated number of puppies to be kept, housed, and maintained at
the facility for the year. Licenses must be prominently displayed in each
facility.
* Mandating all breeders to pay an undisclosed fee to register their
facility.
* Calling for the annual inspection of each facility, with no advance
notice required.
* Imposing strict requirements for breeders beyond current federal and
local laws and regulations.
Based on recent public comments by Senator Betzold, the Government Relations
Department also expects this bill will be heard by the Senate Agriculture and
Veterans Committee soon.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Concerned Minnesota Residents should contact their elected officials in St.
Paul as well as the appropriate committee members listed below, and express
their opposition to HF 253 and SF 7 as written.
* Minnesota residents: To find your state representative and state senator,
click here.
* For HF 253, contact the members of the House Civil Justice Committee and
let them know you oppose the bill:
Representative Joe Mullery, Chair
(651) 296-4262
E-mail: rep.joe.mullery@xxxxxxxx
Representative Gail Kulick Jackson, Vice-Chair
(651) 296-6746
E-mail: rep.gailkulick.jackson@xxxxxxxx
Representative Steve Drazkowski
(651) 296-2273
E-mail: rep.steve.drazkowski@xxxxxxxx
Representative Bobby Joe Champion
(651) 296-8659
E-mail: rep.bobby.champion@xxxxxxxx
Representative Debra Hilstrom
(651) 296-3709
E-mail: rep.debra.hilstrom@xxxxxxxx
Representative Mary Liz Holberg
(651) 296-6926
E-mail: rep.maryliz.holberg@xxxxxxxx
Representative Melissa Hortman
(651) 296-4280
E-mail: rep.melissa.hortman@xxxxxxxx
Representative Sheldon Johnson
(651) 296-4201
E-mail: rep.sheldon.johnson@xxxxxxxx
Representative Tim Kelly
(651) 296-8635
E-mail: rep.tim.kelly@xxxxxxxx
Representative Tim Mahoney
(651) 296-4277
E-mail: rep.tim.mahoney@xxxxxxxx
Representative Dave Olin
(651) 296-9635
E-mail: rep.dave.olin@xxxxxxxx
Representative Michael Paymar
(651) 296-4199
E-mail: rep.michael.paymar@xxxxxxxx
Representative Peggy Scott
(651) 296-4231
E-mail: rep.peggy.scott@xxxxxxxx
Representative Torrey Westrom
(651) 296-4929
E-mail: rep.torrey.westrom@xxxxxxxx
* For SF 7, contact the members of the Senate Agriculture and Veterans
Committee and let them know you oppose the bill as currently written:
Senator Jim Vickerman, Chair
(651) 296-5650
E-mail: Click here to contact Chairman Vickerman
Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes, Vice-Chair
(651) 296-5649
E-mail: sen.sharon.erickson.ropes@xxxxxxxxx
Senator Steve Dille, Ranking Minority Member
(651) 296-4131
E-mail: sen.steve.dille@xxxxxxxxx
Senator Satveer Chaudhary
(651) 296-4334
E-mail: sen.satveer.chaudhary@xxxxxxxxx
Senator Lisa Fobbe
(651) 296-8075
E-mail: sen.lisa.fobbe@xxxxxxxxx
Senator Joe Gimse
(651) 296-3826
E-mail: sen.joe.gimse@xxxxxxxxx
Senator David Hann
(651) 296-1749
E-mail: Click here to contact Senator Hann
Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen
(651) 297-8063
E-mail: sen.bill.ingebrigtsen@xxxxxxxxx
Senator Paul Koering
(651) 296-4875
E-mail: sen.paul.koering@xxxxxxxxx
Senator Gary Kubly
(651) 296-5094
E-mail: sen.gary.kubly@xxxxxxxxx
Senator Keith Langseth
(651) 296-3205
E-mail: Click here to contact Senator Langseth
Senator Tony Lourey
(651) 296-0293
E-mail: sen.tony.lourey@xxxxxxxxx
Senator Steve Murphy
(651) 296-0293
E-mail: Click here to contact Senator Murphy
Senator Rod Skoe
(651) 296-4196
E-mail: sen.rod.skoe@xxxxxxxxx
Senator Dan Skogen
(651) 296-5655
E-mail: sen.dan.skogen@xxxxxxxxx
Please return to www.akc.org for the latest developments regarding HF 253 and
SF 7. For more information, contact AKC?s Government Relations Department at
(919) 816-3720; or e-mail doglaw@xxxxxxxx
--
Stormy Hope
www.carpoc.org
AKC Legislative Liaison, GSDCA
Sunshine Squad <showgsd.org/sunshine.html)
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