VIRGINIA – Under a new bill proposed in Virginia, all dogs and cats acquired from dealers, hobby breeders, pet shops and adoption agencies would be have to be sterilized and microchipped. Sponsored by Sen. W. Roscoe Reynolds, S55 defines a "dealer" as any person who sells or transfers companion animals (with the exception of rescue groups). The bill further defines "hobby breeder" as one who breeds and places one litter per year. Responsible dog breeders will most certainly be impacted by this legislation! To read more about how you can help oppose this measure, please read our Legislative Alert.
- Rep. Orrock has introduced H339, which requires veterinarians to collect animal license fees when administering a rabies vaccine. The county will pay veterinarians $2 for each license. The bill also requires counties to charge a $10 license fee for unaltered animals and $5 fee for altered animals. The bill further allows counties to charge an additional $5 for any cat or dog that is impounded without a current license.
- H340, also by Rep. Orrock, will require cities and counties to regulate dangerous and vicious dogs. H340 will also grant law enforcement officers the power to petition a court to find a dog dangerous. It further prohibits the sale, adoption, transfer or foster of dangerous dogs.
- Rep. Hargrove has prefiled H265, a bill that will increase the amount that local governments are allowed to charge for animal license taxes from $10 to $35.
- H278, has been introduced by Rep. BaCote, will allow the city of Newport News to impose a license fee of up to $35 on each dog or cat that has not been spayed or neutered.
- Rep. Dance’s H386 will expand the definition of a dangerous dog to include one that has without provocation chased, confronted or approached a person in a threatening or aggressive manner such that a reasonable person would be fearful of an attack. The proposal would allow an animal control officer to determine whether the dog is dangerous after an investigation.
- Rep. Welch is sponsoring H828 to prohibit live animals from being awarded as prizes at a carnival or midway. The Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and AKC support this bill.
- Sen. Houck’s S200 is one of several dangerous dog bills introduced in Virginia so far this year. The bill would provide for criminal penalties for owners whose dogs cause serious injury or death. It would further create a dangerous dog registry and require owners of dangerous dogs to obtain at least $300,000 in liability insurance coverage. S200 would allow any law enforcement officer or animal control officer to initiate a dangerous dog hearing and mandates that municipalities enact dangerous dog laws. Sen. Houck introduced this bill in honor of an elderly woman in his district – Fredericksburg – who was killed in a dog attack last year.
- Sen. Houck is also sponsoring SJR12 to designate the last week of September as Virginia Responsible Dog Ownership week.
- Pasquotank County has adopted an ordinance which allows the sheriff to designate dogs as dangerous or potentially dangerous. The measure defines a “dangerous dog” as one that has killed or severely injured a person or domestic animal or one that has been trained as a fighting dog. The ordinance also establishes a leash law that requires residents to keep their dogs restrained in open area in residential subdivisions and mobile home parks.
For more information on pending legislation in Virginia, please contact the Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs.
Virginia Considers Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill!
[Wednesday, January 18, 2006]
Under a new bill proposed in Virginia, all dogs and cats acquired from dealers, hobby breeders, pet shops and adoption agencies would be have to be sterilized and microchipped. Sponsored by Sen. W. Roscoe Reynolds, S55 defines a "dealer" as any person who sells or transfers companion animals (with the exception of rescue groups). The bill further defines "hobby breeder" as one who breeds and places one litter per year. Responsible dog breeders will most certainly be impacted by this legislation!
S55 does permit the sale of intact animals to anyone who agrees to sterilize the pet within 30 days, and to any "hobby breeder" who agrees to alter the animal after one breeding. There are no exceptions for serious "fancier breeders" or "breed improvers," defined elsewhere in the bill, who maintain responsible breeding programs, take care to place their animals in responsible homes, or who may keep intact animals for the purpose of participating in conformation or performance events.
S55 also goes on to require that dealers obtain a $150 annual business license. Dealers could not advertise their services without a valid business license, and the license number would have to be included in any newspaper advertisements. Violations of any portion of the licensing requirement would be fined $1,000.
Because no objective studies have ever been done to look at pet population concerns in Virginia, it is difficult to ascertain what, if any, problems the state may be facing, yet bills like S55 continue to be introduced. If pet population issues are indeed a concern in Virginia, then AKC believes a task force should be formed to address this issue, with input from members of various animal organizations, including purebred dog breeders. Such a study group should explore the expansion of public education campaigns to teach communities about responsible pet ownership. It should also review the many reasons why animals are relinquished to shelters, including animal behavior problems, an owner moving or having a child, or a poor breed match for an owner's lifestyle.
S55 is confusing, ineffective legislation that will be impossible for animal control departments to track and enforce. Please oppose this bill today!
What You Can Do:
S55 has not yet been assigned to committee. Dog owners are therefore urged to contact the bill sponsor and express your opposition.
Sen. W. Roscoe Reynolds
General Assembly Bldg #319
Box 396
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone:804/698-7520
FAX:804/698-7651
For more information, contact:
The Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and Breeders
AKC's Canine Legislation department
VT Considers Ban on Ear Cropping
[Wednesday, January 04, 2006]
Sen. Ann Cummings has introduced S250, a bill to prohibit ear cropping in Vermont. Violators would face a civil penalty of up to $3,000 for a first offense. Those who commit subsequent violations or who perform the procedure without anesthesia would face criminal charges. The bill does not prohibit owning, showing, buying or selling a dog with cropped ears. Licensed veterinarians would be permitted to perform ear cropping procedures only for "therapeutic purposes." According to S250, prevention of ear infections will not be considered therapeutic.
Points to Consider:
The American Kennel Club strongly supports the humane care and treatment of all dogs. We believe that ear cropping, 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.
Responsible dog owners and breeders, in close consultation with their veterinarians, should make informed decisions about their pets' health care - not the government.
Once legislators determine they can ban certain elective procedures, they may be just a short step away from removing veterinarians' and owners' rights to make informed decisions about animal care and treatment.
What You Can Do:
S250 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. Fanciers should immediately contact the committee members below to express your concerns with this bill. Your voice is especially important if one of your Senators sits on this committee. Find out who represents you in the Vermont State Legislature.
Senate Judiciary Committee
State Capitol
115 State St
Montpelier, VT 05602
Phone: 802/828-2231
Purebred dog owners should also contact their veterinarians and urge them not to support S250. Point out that veterinarians should be concerned about allowing the government and public opinion too much control over their practices.
Share this information with other fanciers and dog clubs. We need everyone's help!
