[ SHOWGSD-L ] URGENT: Wyoming Cruelty Bill Passes Senate- Call Your Representative TODAY!

From: Stormy Hope <Stormy435@xxxxxxx>
To: the list <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2011 12:36:13 -0800
Go To:  http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4289 for  
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Storm

URGENT: Wyoming Cruelty Bill Passes Senate- Call Your Representative  
TODAY!

February 3, 2011

Wyoming Senate File 100 seeks to add “puppy mills” and “animal  
hoarding” to the definition of animal cruelty. The bill has passed the  
Wyoming Senate and will likely be considered by the House Agriculture  
Committee very soon.

This bill has been amended to address some of the AKC’s concerns, but  
it is still very vague and could label responsible dog owners and  
breeders as “hoarders” or “puppy mills”.

This bill is moving very quickly, so it is essential that all  
concerned dog owners and breeders in Wyoming contact the House  
Agriculture Committee and their Representative immediately to express  
concerns.  Please see the bottom of this message for contact  
information.

Summary:

Senate File 100 seeks to amend the cruelty statutes by adding  
definitions of “animal hoarder” and “puppy mill” to the definition of  
cruelty. The bill contains the following components:

        • Definition of “animal hoarder” – The bill defines a hoarder as  
someone who keeps an animal in an overcrowded environment or “displays  
an inability to understand the nature…for the conditions under which  
the companion animal is living.”

The terms used in this definition are undefined and therefore open to  
broad interpretation. In addition, this language essentially prevents  
an innocent person from defending themselves, and there is no recourse  
for owners who wish to challenge being labeled as a hoarder.

        • Definition of “puppy mill” – SF100 defines this term as a  
“substandard commercial breeding facility” where animals are kept in  
substandard conditions, including failing to provide proper food,  
drink, protection from the elements or veterinary care.

The AKC completely agrees that these basic needs are essential, and  
appreciates the amendments that make this definition more reasonable;  
however, we remain concerned that the term “substandard” is still not  
fully defined and therefore left open for interpretation. We would  
also like to see the term “puppy mill” removed from statute, as this  
term is offensive to responsible breeders.

How You Can Help

        • Contact the members of the House Agriculture, State and Public  
Lands & Water Resources Committee and ask them to not support Senate  
File 100 as currently written. The committee members are listed below.  
Click on their names for contact information:
Representative Mark Semlek (Chairman)
Representative Stan Blake
Representative Rita Campbell
Representative Kathy Davison
Representative John Eklund
Representative Hans Hunt
Representative Bunky Loucks
Representative Glenn Moniz
Representative Dan Zwonitzer

        • Contact your State Representative and ask them to not support  
Senate File 100 as currently written. Click here to find the name and  
contact information for your State Representative.

The AKC Government Relations Department (AKC GR) will continue to  
provide information as it becomes available. Contact AKC GR at (919)  
816-3720 ordoglaw@xxxxxxx for more information.


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[ SHOWGSD-L ] URGENT: Wyoming Cruelty Bill Passes Senate- Call Your Representative TODAY!

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