[ SHOWGSD-L ] WV Update: Strict Breeder Bill Passes Committee

From: Stormy Hope <Stormy435@xxxxxxx>
To: showgsd-l List <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:04:36 -0800
AKC WV Update/Alert <http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4323>

WV Update: Strict Breeder Bill Passes Committee

February 23, 2011

Yesterday the West Virginia House Judiciary Committee passed House  
Bill 2883, which seeks to limit dog ownership and restrict breeding.  
It is imperative that all responsible dog owners and breeders in West  
Virginia contact your State Delegate and ask them to vote “no” on HB  
2883.

Click here to find the name and contact information for your State  
Delegate.

Click here for a sample letter to personalize.

Click here to read the AKC’s letter to the West Virginia House of  
Delegates.

Summary:

As introduced, House Bill 2883 defines "commercial dog breeder" as  
anyone who maintains 11 or more intact dogs over one year of age and  
"is engaged in the business of breeding animals for direct or indirect  
sale." Those licensed by the USDA would not be exempt. Only those who  
hold an occupational permit and have registered a greyhound kennel  
name with the West Virginia Racing Commission would be exempt from  
this bill.

All licensees would be subject to inspection at least twice a year.  
Five days’ notice would be given prior to the inspection.

The AKC strongly supports the humane treatment of dogs, including  
providing an adequate and nutritious diet, clean living conditions,  
regular veterinary care, kind and responsive human companionship and  
training in appropriate behavior. We also support current West  
Virginia law, which, among other provisions, makes it unlawful for  
anyone to withhold proper sustenance, protective shelter and medical  
treatment.

However, the AKC is gravely concerned by a number of provisions in  
this bill as introduced including:

        • Ownership Limits – Breeders would be limited to owning 50 intact  
dogs over one year of age. Limits on dog ownership are arbitrary and  
ineffective, and punish responsible dog owners who take excellent care  
of their animals. Additionally, breeders would be given only 30 days  
to comply with the limit, meaning that many dogs would likely end up  
in local shelters and/or euthanized at taxpayers’ expense. Click here  
for talking points on animal limit laws.
        • Breeding age limits – A dog may only be bred if it is between the  
ages of 18 months and 8 years. The AKC believes that the decision to  
breed should be made by the breeder in conjunction with their  
veterinarian, and not subject to arbitrary government restrictions.
        • Problematic new engineering standards – House Bill 2883 creates  
numerous new engineering standards and requirements for commercial  
breeding kennels. Current law already addresses the issues of proper  
shelter, sustenance, and acts of animal cruelty, rendering House Bill  
2015 an unnecessary burden on responsible West Virginia breeders, law  
enforcement officers, and taxpayers.
Read AKC’s Issue Analysis "The Value of Responsible Dog Breeders"
Read AKC’s Issue Brief on Responsible Breeding Practices
The AKC Government Relations Department will provide more information  
as it becomes available. Contact us at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@xxxxxxxx





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[ SHOWGSD-L ] WV Update: Strict Breeder Bill Passes Committee

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