Oregon breeder/dog bill

[Liz ODell]

(taken from AKC's website)
Oregon Breeders Bill to be Considered Today, Mon., Feb. 23rd!
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[Monday, February 23, 2009]
Oregon House Bill 2470 will be considered by the House Consumer Protection Committee today, Monday, February 23, at 3 PM in House Room E at the Capitol, 900 Court Street NE, Salem, 97301. The bill, part of a national agenda aimed at severely limiting the responsible breeding of dogs, does not address the needs of Oregonians, but would impose unreasonable limits on dog ownership, harsh requirements for responsible dog breeders, and unfair consumer protection provisions. These provisions do nothing to address problems associated with irresponsible dog ownership or breeding, but would punish responsible dog breeders with undue restrictions and requirements. The American Kennel Club, encourages all concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in Oregon to attend Monday’s committee hearing to voice your opposition to HB 2470; or alternatively, to contact your elected officials in Salem and the committee members who will consider this bill and respectfully yet strongly urge them to not report HB 2470 out of committee.

The American Kennel Club’s mission includes working to protect the rights of all dog owners and promoting responsible dog ownership. 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. The AKC 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 dogs without restricting the rights of owners or breeders who take their responsibilities seriously.

In addition to its many problematic provisions, if enacted, House Bill 2470 would:

Define any breeder who sells more than 20 dogs, or 3 litters in a year, as a "pet dealer".

Limit anyone from possessing more than 25 intact dogs four months of age or older.

Impose significant and cumbersome operational requirements on all dog owners who own 10 or more intact dogs.

Mandate record-keeping requirements and certain disclosures at time of sale.

Require breeders to comply with an unreasonable consumer protection term of two years.

Exempt shelters, veterinarians, pet stores, and research facilities from new standards of care.

[Libby]

I jumbled up, my dates and missed this, but hear they are not finished with hearings for it. Apparently OUSDA did too, a fellow from OHA said no one showed from there. He also said they let the HSUS guys speak for 15-20 first to start it off and set the tone. Kind of set the tone. NAIA is planning action. Got this e-mail today from NAIA:

"I am also delighted to announce that we will be hosting an NAIA Lobby Day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 23rd, and we hope you will plan to participate. This day will provide a unique opportunity for you to connect with your legislators about animal issues and weigh in on several bills of concern that we are following this session. We will host a small reception for NAIA members and lawmakers, provide materials for you to hand out and talking points for lobbying your legislators. They have already heard the animal rights perspective when HSUS held their Humane Lobby Day earlier this month, now it’s time for them to hear from the animal welfare camp!"

I was at another meeting in Salem last night. The House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Communities Committee said the next legislation that comes through their committee will have to be about re-instating bear/cougar hunting to make it out approved. Obviously the elk, deer, antelope hunters and ranchers are fed up with cougars. It was great seeing 150 hunters in the capitol building.