Washington state - dog/breeder bill

[Liz ODell]

(taken from AKC's website)
Washington Alert: Bill Places Numerous Regulations on Dog Breeders and Owners
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[Thursday, February 26, 2009]
A bill has been introduced in the Washington State Legislature to limit dog ownership and impose numerous regulations on responsible breeders and dog owners. All Washington responsible dog owners and breeders are encouraged to contact their State Senator and express their opposition to Senate Bill 5651.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) rejects the unsubstantiated legislative findings of Senate Bill 5651, which state that large-scale breeding increases the likelihood that dogs will be denied basic care, and suggest that large scale breeding facilities are more likely to fall below even the most basic standards of humane housing and husbandry. These findings, among others, incorrectly imply that all large-scale breeders are irresponsible by nature, and ignore the many responsible breeders who care for their dogs and ensure they are placed with good, loving homes.

AKC’s mission includes working to protect the rights of all dog owners and promoting responsible dog ownership. The AKC abhors neglectful treatment of dogs and strongly supports the humane treatment including providing an adequate and nutritious diet, clean living conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and responsive human companionship and training in appropriate behavior–regardless of whether the dogs are in a kennel, shelter, or even someone’s home. AKC also believes that numerical limits do not address the underlying issues of responsible ownership and proper dog care. Instead, the AKC supports reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of all dogs without restricting the rights of owners or breeders who take their responsibilities seriously.

If adopted, Senate Bill 5651 (click here to read the bill) would impose numerous unenforceable provisions. These include:

Prohibiting tail docking, ear cropping, debarking, and surgical birth except under anesthesia from a licensed veterinarian.
Prohibiting anyone from owning, possessing, controlling, or having charge or custody of more than 50 "breeding" dogs over the age of six months at any time.
Allowing for a warrantless search by any animal control officer or "other authorized public health or safety official", either upon the receipt of a complaint or upon "the officer’s own motion".
Exempting public animal shelters, nonprofit humane societies/animal adoption organizations, veterinary facilities, retail pet stores, research institutions, boarding facilities, and grooming facilities from the standards of care required in this bill.

[Travis Stirek]

Just called my senators office(Sen. Morton) and this bill is in rules committee right now and his stance is he wants to see what ammendments are added.

[Liz ODell]

Washington Alert: SB 5651 to be Considered by House Judiciary Thursday, March 19th
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[Tuesday, March 17, 2009]
Washington SB 5651 will be considered by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, March 19th, at 10:00AM, in House Hearing Room A, in the John L. O'Brien Building, 504 15th Avenue SW, in Olympia, WA 98504. SB 5651 is part of a radical national legislative agenda aimed at limiting the freedoms and liberties of Americans by attempting to restrict the number of animals they can own. Similar bills have been introduced across the country since the start of 2009, including in West Virginia, Texas, Oregon, Illinois, Maryland, Florida, Indiana, Colorado, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Montana.

SB 5651 includes:

Unsubstantiated legislative findings that state that large-scale breeding increases the likelihood that dogs will be denied basic care, and suggest that large scale breeding facilities are more likely to fall below even the most basic standards of humane housing and husbandry. These findings, among others, incorrectly imply that all large-scale breeders are irresponsible by nature, and ignore the many responsible breeders who care for their dogs and ensure they are placed with good, loving homes.
Prohibiting anyone from owning, possessing, controlling, or having charge or custody of more than 50 "breeding" dogs over the age of six months at any time.
Allowing for a warrantless search by any animal control officer or "other authorized public health or safety official", either upon the receipt of a complaint or upon "the officer's own motion".
Exempting public animal shelters, nonprofit humane societies/animal adoption organizations, veterinary facilities, retail pet stores, research institutions, boarding facilities, and grooming facilities from the standards of care required in this bill.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes this legislation, and encourages all concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in Washington to attend Thursday's committee hearing and voice their opposition to this bill; or alternatively, to contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and respectfully yet strongly urge them to not move SB 5651 forward.

Washington House Judiciary Committee

Representative Jamie Pederson, Chair
Washington House Judiciary Committee
Room JLOB 208-A
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600
PHONE: (360) 786-7826
E-MAIL: pedersen.jamie@leg.wa.gov

Representative Roger Goodman, Vice-Chair
PHONE: (360) 786-7878
E-MAIL: goodman.roger@leg.wa.gov

Representative Jay Rodne, Ranking Minority Member
PHONE: (360) 786-7852
To e-mail Rep. Rodne, click here.

Representative Matt Shea, Asst. Ranking Minority Member
PHONE: (360) 786-7984
To e-mail Rep. Shea, click here.

Representative Dennis Flannigan
PHONE: (360) 786-7930
E-MAIL: flannigan.dennis@leg.wa.gov

Representative Troy Kelley
PHONE: (360) 786-7890
E-MAIL: kelley.troy@leg.wa.gov

Representative Steve Kirby
PHONE: (360) 786-7996
E-MAIL: kirby.steve@leg.wa.gov

Representative Timm Ormsby
PHONE: (360) 786-7946
E-MAIL: ormsby.timm@leg.wa.gov

Representative Mary Helen Roberts
PHONE: (360) 786-7950
E-MAIL: roberts.maryhelen@leg.wa.gov

Representative Charles Ross
PHONE: (360) 786-7856
To e-mail Rep. Ross, click here.

Representative Judy Warnick
PHONE: (360) 786-7932
To e-mail Rep. Warnick, click here.

Committee Legislative Assistant – Randy Trick – PHONE: (360) 786-7122.

For AKC's original post on SB 5651, click here.

For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.