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Despite opposition from the American
Kennel Club, the California Veterinary Medical Association, The
Animal Council, the Sacramento Council of Dog Clubs, and a host of
other animal organizations, SB 861 passed the Assembly Local
Government Committee yesterday. The bill would permit municipalities
in California to enact breed-specific laws. However, SB 861 was
amended on Wednesday to only allow breed-specific measures that
pertain to mandatory spay/neuter programs and breeding restrictions.
Furthermore, cities that implement such restrictions would be
required to compile quarterly reports on dog bites and submit them
to the State Veterinarian. Proponents of SB 861 claim that
requiring spaying and neutering "of breeds most like to attack" and
prohibiting breeding of these breeds will promote public safety. AKC
does not believe that to be the case. If certain breeds are
restricted, owners who choose to be irresponsible with their
animals—allow them to run loose, train them to be aggressive,
etc—will simply select new breeds to handle irresponsibly. Only
rigorous enforcement of strong generic dangerous dog laws that
affect all breeds and all owners will help keep
communities safe. Coupled with public education campaigns to teach
people about responsible dog ownership and breeding, such methods
are far more effective at protecting residents that are
breed-specific measures.
Should SB 861 pass as amended, the impact on responsible dog
owners, particularly purebred fanciers who participate in
conformation dog shows and responsible breeding programs, will be
devastating. AKC strongly opposes SB 861, and we need your help!
What You Can Do:
 | SB 861 now moves to the Assembly floor. Dog owners should
immediately contact their local Assemblymember and State
Senator and ask them to oppose SB 861. To find out who
represents you in the California legislature, click here:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html. It is critical that
legislators hear from their own constituents!
|
| Contact the bill sponsor and voice your opposition to SB
861. Ask her to withdraw the bill from consideration. |
Points to Address:
| Breed-specific laws are not the best way to protect
communities. An owner intent on using his or her dogs for
malicious purposes will simply be able to switch to another type
of dog and continue to jeopardize public safety. The list of
regulated breeds or types could grow every year without ever
addressing responsible dog ownership. Deeds, not breeds, should
be addressed.
|
| When properly enforced, California's existing dangerous dog
law forces all dog owners to be responsible regardless of the
breed they own. Clear guidelines for identifying and managing
dangerous dogs will promote responsible dog ownership and
prevent tragedies from occurring. Simply placing restrictions on
certain breeds will not improve public safety - it will only
punish responsible dog owners.
|
| Breed-specific laws are hard to enforce. Breed
identification requires expert knowledge of the individual
breeds, placing great burden on local officials.
|
| Breed-specific laws are unfair to responsible owners.
|
| Breed-specific laws increase costs for the community.
Shelter costs for the community could rise as citizens abandon
targeted breeds and adoptable dogs of the targeted breeds could
be euthanized at the shelter.
|
| Some communities have had their breed-specific laws
overturned on constitutional grounds. Because proper
identification of what dogs would be included is difficult or
impossible, the law may be deemed unconstitutionally vague.
|
| Strongly enforced animal control laws (such as leash laws),
generic guidelines on dealing with dangerous dogs and increased
public education efforts to promote responsible dog ownership
are all better ways to protect communities from dangerous
animals.
|
| Breed-specific legislation is opposed by the AKC, the
American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Animal
Control Association, the ASPCA, and a host of national animal
welfare organizations that have studied the issue and recognize
that targeting breeds simply does not work. |
For more information, contact:
AKC's Canine Legislation department
919-816-3720
doglaw@akc.org
Sacramento Council
of Dog Clubs
Joan Gibson Reid, Corresponding Secretary
and Legislative Coordinator
Jgcorgis@aol.com
The Animal Council
TheAnimalCouncil@aol.com |
|
