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Date Posted: 17:00:13 02/08/05 Tue
Author: Karen
Subject: Ill & Calif bills

Breeder Licensing Bill Introduced in Illinois
[Tuesday, February 08, 2005]
Illinois dog owners, your help is needed immediately to oppose HB707. Sponsored by Rep. Elaine Nekritz, the bill would amend the state’s Animal Welfare Act by requiring licenses for all “animal caretakers.” This definition includes but is not limited to anyone who sells, exchanges, or offers for adoption dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, and other animals commonly kept as pets. Hobby breeders, pet stores, adoption facilities, shelters, and private individuals who sell, transfer or adopt out even one animal will therefore be subject to licensing under HB707. The Illinois Animal Welfare Act currently requires licensing for pet shops only.

Licensees will be required to:
• Provide new owners with health certificates and other information such as vaccination records, breeder’s name and address, and contact information for any past owners.
• Submit to an inspection of their premises by the Department of Agriculture.
• Give animals a “stimulating, enriching environment” as a component of humane living conditions. HB707 does not define what is “stimulating and enriching” for dogs and cats.
Violators would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent violation would constitute a Class 4 felony for every day that a violation continues.

The licensing expansion proposed in HB707 encompasses thousands of individuals, and will be extremely costly and impossible to enforce. Moreover, it will likely force many reputable hobby breeders, rescue groups and concerned owners to abandon programs that match healthy, well-socialized animals with responsible homes. These groups provide an invaluable service to the pet-buying public and to animal control departments across the state. Finally, HB707 uses broad, vague definitions that further add to enforcement challenges and leave even the most caring owner or breeder open to prosecution.

Existing Illinois law and indeed the federal Animal Welfare Act exempt hobby breeders from licensing and regulation. Congress does not believe in licensing for small-scale breeders, and neither should Illinois legislators.

What You Can Do:
Contact the House Committee on Rules, where HB707 has been referred. Ask them to oppose this bill!

House Committee on Rules
State House #300
Springfield, IL 62701

Committee Members

Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie (D) [Chair]
Phone: 217/782-8121,
FAX: 217/782-1794,
Email: currie@hdsmail.state.il.us


Rep. William Black (R)
Phone: 217/782-4811
FAX: 217/782-1873


Rep. Gary Hannig (D)
Phone: 217/782-8071
Email: hannig@hdsmail.state.il.us


Rep. Brent Hassert (R)
Phone: 217/782-4179


Rep. Arthur L. Turner (D)
Phone: 217/782-8116,
FAX:217/782-0888
Email: aturner@housedem.state.il.us

For more information, contact:
Illinois Dog Clubs and Breeders Association
773-763-5773

Canine Legislation department
doglaw@akc.org

**********************

West Hollywood, CA Considers Crop/Dock Ban (UPDATE)
[Tuesday, February 08, 2005]
At last night's meeting, Mayor John Duran followed through with his introduction of a motion to ban ear cropping, tail docking, debarking and other non-therapeutic procedures. If such a measure is allowed to pass, it will establish a very dangerous model for other cities and states to follow. Help is needed immediately from fanciers --particularly West Hollywood residents--to fight this proposal. It is critical that city officials hear from residents!

Responsible dog owners should have the right to make informed health care decisions about their pets. Please help by contacting officials at the numbers below.


[Monday, February 07, 2005]


Attention California fanciers! At their meeting this evening, the West Hollywood City Council will consider asking the City Attorney to draft an ordinance banning ear cropping, tail docking, debarking, and other non-therapeutic procedures.

The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping and tail docking, as described in certain breed standards, is an acceptable practice integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided. We further believe that responsible dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, should have the right to make decisions about proper care and treatment for their pets—not the government.

Purebred dog owners worked hard to defeat a cropping and docking ban at the state level last year. Now the issue is resurfacing at the local level and could set a dangerous precedent for similar ordinances across California. Your help is needed once again!

What You Can Do:

Contact the Mayor and West Hollywood City Council Members. Urge them to oppose the ban on non-therapeutic procedures, including cropping and docking.

City of West Hollywood
8300 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (323) 848-6460
Fax: (323) 848-6562
http://www.weho.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=nav&navid=16

Mayor and City Council
The Honorable John J. Duran, Mayor
Councilmember Abbe Land
Councilmember Sal Guarriello
Councilmember John Heilman
Councilmember Jeffrey Prang


If possible, attend tonight’s meeting, which begins at 7 p.m.
For more information contact:

The Animal Council
TheAnimalCouncil@aol.com

AKC’s Canine Legislation department
Doglaw@akc.org, 919-816-3720

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