[ SHOWGSD-L ] Fwd: ACTION NEEDED NOW: DANGEROUS RHODE ISLAND BILLS SENT TO GOV. CHAFEE FOR APPROVAL
- From: Stormy Hope <stormy435@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Showgsd-l List" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2012 08:48:12 -0700
Begin forwarded message:
From: "AKC's Government Relations Department" <mba@xxxxxxx>
Date: June 15, 2012 8:34:47 AM PDT
Subject: ACTION NEEDED NOW: DANGEROUS RHODE ISLAND BILLS SENT TO GOV.
CHAFEE FOR APPROVAL
ACTION NEEDED NOW: DANGEROUS RHODE ISLAND BILLS SENT TO GOV. CHAFEE
FOR APPROVAL
Friday, June 15, 2012
Please forward this message to members of your club(s) in Rhode Island
or others who may be impacted:
Rhode Island Senate Bill 2035 and House Bill 7663 have been forwarded
to Gov. Lincoln Chafee for his signature or veto. Among other
provisions, these bills would make it unlawful for dog owners to keep
a dog confined in a pen, cage, or other shelter for more than 14
hours, including non-concurrent periods, within a 24-hour period. The
American Kennel Club believes these bills, if either is signed into
law, will have an enormously negative impact on responsible Rhode
Island dog owners or those who visit Rhode Island for dog events. It
is imperative that individuals concerned with these dangerous bills
contact Governor Chafee’s office and respectfully request that the
Governor veto both bills.
The AKC strongly supports the humane treatment of dogs, including
providing an adequate and nutritious diet, clean living conditions,
regular veterinary care, kind and responsible human companionship, and
training in appropriate behavior. We believe that dogs kept in
enclosures should be protected from harsh weather conditions, and
provided appropriate food, water, and care. We believe, however, that
as currently written, SB 2035 and HB 7663 are unreasonable,
burdensome, and vague. We also believe that these bills fail to
recognize that responsible owners know what is best for their dogs and
have the best interests of their dogs at heart.
AKC’S CONCERNS:
We believe that SB 2035 and HB 7663 could prove harmful to many
responsible owners and their dogs. For example, consider an owner
who, while at work during the day and while asleep at night, utilizes
crating to ensure their dog’s safety. Under the provisions of these
bills—regardless of whether an owner acts responsibly by providing
walks, training, exercise, play time, etc.—such an owner would be
breaking state law.
Additionally, the overly broad language of SB 2035 and HB 7663 may
give rise to potentially threatening situations for dogs themselves.
Owners know best when it comes to the care of their animals. Those
who successfully utilize responsible crating should not be arbitrarily
limited from the practice, thereby risking exposure to household
situations that could be dangerous to, for example, mischievous dogs.
Moreover, the vague language of SB 2035 and HB 7663 may also be
construed to prohibit additional acceptable means of maintaining
dogs. For example, these bills will likely prohibit keeping dogs in
fenced yards with proper protection from the elements and the
temporary crating of dogs en route to and at all dog events (with the
exception of hunting and field trials, which are specifically exempted
from these provisions). Enforcement of the provisions as written will
cripple dog events with safety concerns. In 2011, AKC-approved dog
events brought approximately $2.5 million into Rhode Island.
Enactment of SB 2035 and HB 7663 will almost certainly reduce that
number. We believe that clarification should be included to ensure
that responsible owners may continue to maintain dogs in fenced-in
yards, in homes, during travel, and at dog events as long as
appropriate and safe conditions are provided.
The American Kennel Club also believes that, as currently written,
House Bill 7663 adds conflicting enforcement provisions. Subsection
(c) of proposed new section 4-13-42 allows for a warning for a first
violation, while subsection (e) of the same proposed new section
requires any violation to be subject to up to 11 months imprisonment
and/or fines between $50 and $500.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
It is imperative that all concerned dog owners, both from Rhode Island
and from surrounding areas who compete at Rhode Island events, contact
Governor Lincoln Chaffee and respectfully request that he veto SB 2035
and HB 7663. Additionally let him know that you welcome any
opportunity to work with him or the Rhode Island legislature to help
develop effective solutions to any substantiated animal control issues
that would also protect and enhance responsible dog ownership in Rhode
Island.
Governor Lincoln Chafee
82 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 222-2080
Email: governor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at
(919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@xxxxxxxx
The American Kennel Club, 8051 Arco Corporate Dr. Suite 100, Raleigh,
NC 27617 United States
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