PAWS legislation - Page 1

You can read the original legislative alert for this bill on the AKC website at: http://akc.org/canine_legislation/paws_QA.cfm The AKC is supporting the bill, the UKC opposes it. Almost all AKC sanctioned dogs clubs are also behind the bill except for 4; one of the opposers is Dr. Battaglia who most know represents the GSDCA.

The ramifacations of the law would be far reaching. AKC has posted an article on PAWS, it is supposed to explain the law and why AKC backs it. Very interesting read. http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2538 The law could be worse. California tried to pass a law that would have penalized with fees breeders with very few litters, but larges scale breeders would have been excempt. My county already requires a kennel licence for any residence with more than four dogs and does unanounced inspections. Of course, the inspections are in midwinter. Any kennel doing boarding or breeding more than four litters per year get three or more inspections a year.

I myself have mixed feelings about this bill. On one hand I think it's a good thing and I certainly don't have a problem regulating anyone breeding 7 or more litters per year. Most with that sort of litter history cannot be classifed as hobby breeders anyway. I also feel that dog brokers are in very great need of regulation. On the other hand, the concerns I've heard from others is that, while they don't have huge problems with the bill per se, they look at it as just another way for the government to get more control over dog breeders and wonder where it will stop. An opportunity to get their foot farther in the door so to speak. The USDA is rumored to be recruiting inspectors from the ranks of PETA members and that can't be a good thing. Some smaller rescues are also worried since they feel it may open up the homes of their fosters to USDA inspection and enforcement of rules regarding the manner is which they must sanitize their homes, where the dogs can be kept, and so forth. I just don't know what to think. Any state/county with regs more stringent that the PAWS bill will have primacy and their regulations will take priority over the USDA requirments if passed. Here in PA we have had a very similar bill in place for several years. I am close to Lancaster county and the Amish dog breeders. The state keeps a pretty tight rein on them thanks to our Pa Federation of Dog Clubs and the Puppy Lemon Law. However, where Newbie lives, maybe 75 miles west of Lancaster, they do not enforce the current regs. It cuts both ways.............. If there are any dog law officers on this board and reading this, I would be interested in hearing their thoughts. Charlie?

That is one big problem with this law. It doesn't specifiy what standard of sanitation they are going to require or if specific styles of housing are going to be required. AKC has offered to have their inspectors since they are slready in place and are trained. Did you know that the newest director of the HSUS is and ex-PETA member. That doesn't bode well for the future.

Yes, I heard that, Anika. If if passes it will have a very big impact on those who breed 7 or more litters per year and the importers. Funny none of the importers on this board have had much to say about it.