Author Topic: Breed-specific legislationi  (Read 4807 times)

Offline Joji

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Breed-specific legislationi
« on: August 02, 2005, 08:10:10 am »
As an FYI for those who have expressed an interest in BSL ... The following excerpt was taken from the AKC's newsletter (http://www.akc.org/enewsletter/taking_command/2005/august/around_nation.cfm). To see the full story, visit the Web page ... there may be legislation in an area which affects you.  

CALIFORNIA – Sen. Speier’s SB861, to repeal California’s prohibition on breed-specific local ordinances, was not taken up for a vote before the legislature’s summer adjournment. The bill would allow cities and counties to enact breed-specific ordinances that require mandatory spay/neuter or impose breeding restrictions on certain breeds. The bill will be eligible for a vote when members return in mid-August. For more information, and to find out how you can help, please read our Legislative Alert here.

- Sen. Kehoe’s SB914, which makes it a misdemeanor to sell any dog under 8 weeks of age, passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee and will now proceed to the Assembly floor. The bill does exempt rescue groups and allows puppies less than 8 weeks old to be sold with written approval of a licensed veterinarian.

- The City of Oakland has initially approved an ordinance which limits residents to 3 dogs, institutes mandatory microchipping and changes definitions for foster and rescue groups. A final vote on the proposal is expected at the September 20th meeting.

COLORADO – The City of Aurora is considering a “pit bull” ban similar to the one in Denver. The subcommittee, made of up 3 council members, will review the proposal at an August 9th meeting. AKC has sent a letter of opposition and dangerous dog packets to the council members.

CONNECTICUT – Rep. Megna’s H6543 failed to pass prior to the adjournment of the legislature. The bill would have prohibited insurers from considering a customer’s breed of dog when setting policy rates or minimum premiums. It also would have prohibited insurers from using a dog's breed as the reason for canceling, not renewing, or not issuing a policy.

- S1191 failed to pass the Joint Committee on Judiciary prior to adjournment. The bill would have authorized the creation of trusts for the care of domestic animals.

GEORGIA – The Cherokee County Commission is considering charging a registration fee to owners of dogs labeled “potentially dangerous.” The fee would cover the costs to the county associated with inspection and enforcement of their local dangerous dog law.

MASSACHUSETTS – Rep. Kujawski is sponsoring H1346, which would define a commercial breeder as anyone who breeds more than 1 litter per year. Anyone falling into this category will be subject to the current laws governing pet shops, including licensure and inspection. Massachusetts fanciers showed up in strong numbers to oppose the bill at a recent hearing by the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, and are now awaiting a committee vote on the issue. The Canine Legislation Department sent a letter of opposition to committee members as well.

- Rep. Hill’s H3563, a bill to establish a more effective and reasonable dangerous dog law, was heard in the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. Specifically, H3563 establishes clear criteria for determining potentially dangerous and dangerous dogs, and further provides requirements for the care and keeping of such animals. It also guarantees owners the right to appeal a potentially dangerous or dangerous dog designation. The bill, which has the support of AKC and the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners, can now be voted on at Executive Session.

- H3566, by Rep. Gobi, would require pet stores to list the dog’s state of origin and requires the establishment of a toll-free number to report sick dogs. The bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.

MAINE – Governor Baldacci has signed H129. Originally, the bill was simply a tax on pet food, however it was amended without AKC’s knowledge to require breeders and pet stores to collect a $25 per animal surcharge to go into the state Companion Animal Sterilization Fund.

- Rep. Piotti’s H1036 has been signed by Governor Baldacci. The bill will change the definition of a breeding kennel to include anyone who sells 2 or more litters per year. Current law defines a breeder as anyone who sells more than 16 dogs or cats per year. The bill also requires that dogs older than 6 months be given a rabies vaccine within 30 days and adds definitions and penalties for abandoning an animal.

- The City of Houlton has passed an ordinance which will require owners to pick up pet waste on public or private property. Additionally, the ordinance makes it illegal for a dog owner to allow the dog to demonstrate aggressive or intimidating behavior at a public event. Violators of the ordinance will be fined $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second and an additional $50 for any subsequent violations.

One positive way to combat negative legislation in your town is to promote responsible dog ownership. What better way to do that than to hold a Responsible Dog Ownership Day event in your area? For more information on how you can join AKC and hundreds of dog clubs in this September celebration, visit: http://www.akc.org/clubs/rdod/index.cfm

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If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them. -Phil Pastoret

GYPSY JAZMINE

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Re: Breed-specific legislationi
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2005, 10:09:01 am »
Ty!!...I am going to take a look at your links now...Am hoping to find something in the last link that I can approach City Hall with here...We have a Pit ban...Unfortun atly the powers that be don't seem to ba ble to tell a Pit from a Boxer. :-\ :(

Offline Joji

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Re: Breed-specific legislationi
« Reply #2 on: August 04, 2005, 08:53:14 am »
Hope you find something you can use and keep me posted if you do anything and what happens. You're so right ... even local-level politicians are more reactionary than pro-action. It seems everyone, ie general public, thinks only in quick fixes vs. getting to the root of the problem.  Evne though I use the term "quick fix," that doesn't hardly seem to apply regarding BSL, because it doesn't "fix" anything.

Good luck!
If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them. -Phil Pastoret

Offline brigid67

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Re: Breed-specific legislationi
« Reply #3 on: August 04, 2005, 09:12:01 pm »
As far as I know Nevada doesn't have any legislation concwerning breeds...but this is like the wild wild west  so things happen here slowly
Timmie