[ SHOWGSD-L ] OKLAHOMA anti dog legislation passes committe
- From: Diane Brantley <texasgsds@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:01:59 -0800 (PST)
Evan, one question. Could this bill, if passes, be challenged on the basis of
violation of federal interstate commerce laws? Thanks
********************************************************************************************************
If you have not yet heard, this could have an effect on all of us....showing &
judging as well as those who may travel through Oklahoma to attend our shows.
Cheryl
It is with great sadness that I must report to you that Oklahoma HB passed
unanimously in committee, passed through the House floor with a vote of 11-2,
(10 members of the House weren't even present to vote, as they had no idea
their constituents felt this was important!!! ) and will now be going to the
Oklahoma Senate for a vote. Please, PLEASE help stop this bill from passing. If
it does pass, there will be no more dog shows in OK. I cannot stress enough
what a hideous bill this is.
Briefly this bill would do the following:
>
> Prohibits an out of state breeder from transporting dogs into or
> through Oklahoma, which would effectively destroy dog shows, field
> trials and other canine events in the state. If a hobby breeder were
> to bring dogs to an Oklahoma event, the dogs could be confiscated and
> the owner would face heavy fines and penalties. (Section 2.13)
> (Section 3.B) (Section 3.L.1 and 2)
> Gives any animal control officer, peace officer or animal cruelty
> investigator unrestricted access to a kennel owner's home,
> facilities, animals, records and property. The bill denies kennel
> owners constitutional right of protection from unreasonable searches
> and seizures, as no warrants are required. (Section 5.A)
> Effectively prohibits any Oklahoma resident from buying a puppy or
> dog from another state, as the breeder would have to be licensed in
> Oklahoma. (without an OK quality assurance license, if an OK
> resident bought an animal outside of the state, they are breaking the
> law as records of purchase origin have to be with each and every
> animal)
> Requires every breeder, rescue organization, animal shelter and pet
> store to be state licensed ? not just dealers or commercial kennels ?
> if they sell, give away or adopt out 25 or more animals a year. This
> would destroy many rescue programs. (Section2.3)
> Says that a license will not be issued to anyone who has or has ever
> had a federal kennel license through the U.S. Department of
> Agriculture. This provision will destroy many well-run kennel
> businesses that meet or exceed all legal requirements for the care of
> animals, and result in the owners of those businesses losing many
> thousands of dollars that they have invested in land and facilities,
> also losing their livelihood. However, all kennels will be required
> to follow federal regulations for housing, care and other management
> issues. (Section 3.F.1)
> Gives the state the authority to implement complete regulations for
> the management of all kennels and the care of the dogs, with no
> provision for legislative approval or input from dog owners.
> (Implied throughout the bill but nothing specific is defined as to
> what constitutes the law, but can be changed as seen fit to the
> situation and deemed necessary by the Animal Control Officer)
> Requires extensive record keeping, and kennel management and medical
> practices to be approved by a veterinarian. (Section 3.H.2)
> The legislation changes the legal status of dog owners to that of
> guardians, and removes all decision-making power from the hands of
> kennel owners. Dogs effectively become wards of the state under this
> legislation. (Implied throughout the bill as the state has the
> ultimate rights for the animal and no property rights are maintained
> by the owner/breeder)
> Denies a license to anyone who is on probation or parole for any
> offense, even if they have nothing to do with animals. Licenses also
> are denied for anyone who has been found guilty of violating any
> statute pertaining to animals, including relatively minor offenses
> such as leash laws, local licensing laws and noise ordinances.. In
> addition, purely technical or minor violations of state kennel
> regulations would cause mandatory denial. (Section 3.F.2) (Section
> 3.G.1, 3, 4) (Section 8.B) (Section 8.C.2) (Section 8.C.B)
> Provides fines of up to $2,500 for each violation, while granting the
> kennel owner only the right to an administrative appeal. Placing
> liens against a kennel owner's property is authorized to collect
> fines, penalties and costs for seizing dogs. Several provisions
> allow the state to seize, confiscate and euthanize animals. (Section
> 7.B) (Section 9.A, B, D, F)
>
> Here is the link to the Oklahoma Senators.
> http://www.oksenate .gov/Senators/ directoryalpha. htm
>
============================================================================
POST is Copyrighted 2008. 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@xxxxxxxxxxxx
VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org
NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/
============================================================================
Other related posts:
