VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4] ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 08:46:20 02/08/02 Fri
Author: Denise-BRK
Subject: Here is what it is about
In reply to: MAUREEN 's message, "CONTACT YOUR REP ON CAPITOL HILL ASAP" on 04:56:45 02/08/02 Fri

THE PUPPY PROTECTION ACT:
CONGRESS ATTEMPTS TO REGULATE DOG BREEDING

Legislation introduced in Congress to increase regulation of commercial dog breeding could also impact fanciers. The legislation amends the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and

Dictates when the first breeding of a female may occur
Limits the number of breedings allowed within a certain time period
Imposes an "engineering standard" for socialization including a written plan of activities
Creates a "three strikes and you're out" provision for violations of any kind
The bills, S1478 and HR3058, have attracted a growing list of cosponsors. Both have broad bipartisan support. The AKC opposes S1478/HR3058, the so-called "Puppy Protection Act" (PPA) for the following reasons:

S1478/HR3058 is an unprecedented and unreasonable expansion of government regulation. For the first time, the federal government would regulate the breeding practices of individual animal breeders. The USDA would be required to regulate the age and frequency of breeding of dogs. Currently, the Animal Welfare Act covers only the physical care of animals in commercial breeding facilities (e.g., housing, food/water).
S1478/HR3058 requires the federal government to establish and enforce "engineering standards" for the socialization of dogs and puppies. However, there are no science-based "engineering standards" for socialization. There are as many theories on how best to socialize dogs as there are breeders. Policing compliance with engineering standards would be a record-keeping and enforcement nightmare. Instead, "performance standards" would be a better solution. Performance standards specify an outcome that must be achieved but leave it up to the breeder to determine how to best achieve that outcome.
S1478/HR3058 could apply not only to the 3000 commercial dog breeders claimed by its proponents, but to thousands of hobby and show breeders who raise puppies in their own homes for sale directly to the consumer. A recent court ruling, supported by the same animal rights groups that support the PPA, nullified USDA's long-standing practice of applying the AWA's licensing requirements to only commercial breeders who sell puppies at wholesale. This court decision, currently under appeal, brings more than 300,000 small-scale hobby/show breeders who sell at retail under the AWA umbrella.
S1478/HR3058's findings are sensationalized, and not based on facts or science. Congress has held no hearings to establish the need for this legislation. Most of the conditions complained of in the bill's findings are already violations of the AWA, and would be solved by adequate enforcement of the AWA and state humane laws. As the nation's leading authority on purebred dogs, the American Kennel Club would like the opportunity to provide input into these findings before legislation is considered further.
USDA has found that there is a high level of self-regulation in the hobby/show community. The AKC promotes responsible breeding practices, provides breeder education, conducts 4,000 kennel inspections each year, and suspends any breeder who violates AKC care and conditions standards. Also, the AKC encourages the USDA to make every effort to find commercial breeders who disregard the AWA and operate illegally.
The AKC is studying S. 1478/H.R. 3058 to develop more effective ways to regulate irresponsible and inhumane breeders who may currently fall through the cracks of regulation. We know that there are irresponsible breeders who do not share our concern for the welfare of their dogs and we want to them brought into compliance with the AWA. We believe, however, that it is a misuse of tax dollars and resources to pass overly intrusive and restrictive laws that would affect responsible breeders who already maintain exemplary breeding programs.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators in Washington. Ask them to oppose S. 1478/H.R. 3058 for the reasons stated above. To find out who represents you in the Senate, visit www.senate.gov/contacting/index_by_state.cfm. To find out who represents you in the House, go to www.congress.org. You may also phone the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and an operator will connect you directly with the Senate or House office you request.
If you live in the district or state of a member of the House or Senate Committee on Agriculture, it is especially important that you urge them to stop these bills from moving forward. (For committee membership lists, see www.akc.org.)
If you live in the district or state of a House or Senate cosponsor of these bills, ask them to withdraw their support. (See www.akc.org for a list of these names.)
Due to mail delays on Capitol Hill because of the anthrax situation, faxing your opinion is most effective. E-mail is also an option.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.