Tennessee Humane Lobby Day-Nashville

[Tim Nunan]

Just a heads-up that H$U$ has already started on their agenda to get more state laws passed restricting your rights as an animal owner.

Wasn't sure whether to post this here or in the Hunting forum. Several bills now submitted will impact those with hunting dogs, e.g., SB0258, SB0391.

Get involved and let your state legislator know how you feel about these restrictions. As with everything dealing with the extremists the devil is in the details; they do know how to manipulate an issue.

H$U$ has a TN lobbist:

Leighann McCollum, Tennessee State Director

lmccollum@humanesociety.org

(615) 734-9537

Tim

NOTE: The Feb. lobbying days for each individual state are posted at:

http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/citizen_lobbyist_center/lobby_101_schedule.html

http://tinyurl.com/cc5jkx

The dates for March and April are found here:

https://community.hsus.org/humane/event-calendar.html

[Tim Nunan]

House Bill 386, sponsored by Rep. Janis Baird Sontany (D-53), and its

companion legislation, Senate Bill 258, sponsored by Sen. Doug Jackson (D-25), would place the hobby breeding of purebred dogs under criminal animal cruelty statutes and set severe limits on dog ownership. These bills were introduced Monday, Feb. 9, 2009.

While this legislation is called the "Commercial Breeder Act," in reality it ensnares many hobbyists, trainers and handlers in their net. These bills are typical of HSUS-promoted legislation, which misrepresents its true purpose.

The legislation defines a "commercial breeder" as "any person who

possesses or maintains twenty (20) or more adult female dogs in whole or in part for the purpose of the sale of their offspring as companion animals."

The words "in part" means that breeding even one female makes a kennel

owner a commercial breeder, and the inclusion of the words "possesses

or maintains" entraps many professional trainers, handlers, private

rescue networks, hound pack owners, boarding kennels and hunt clubs

in the definition.

Here are some of the provisions:

Anyone who meets the definition of a commercial breeder must be licensed and inspected, and comply with complex regulations for the care and housing of dogs. License fees will be costly - $500 annually for up to 40 dogs, $1,000 annually for more.

No one can own more than 75 dogs. This includes partnerships, companies and corporations, as well as individuals.

A dog or cat cannot be euthanized, except by a licensed veterinarian.

This provision will cause great suffering in severely injured or ill dogs when a veterinarian cannot be located.

To be eligible for a license, state officials must investigate and pass judgment on a person?s "character," and also on the suitability of the kennel's location.

Licenses can be suspended or revoked for several reasons. A hearing

is provided only through the Department of Agriculture, not to the

courts.

State inspectors have unlimited access to the home, facilities and property of anyone who owns a licensed kennel, or an unlicensed kennel. Constitutional requirements for search warrants and probable cause would be trampled.

The state would be given unlimited power to confiscate animals from

noncompliant kennels, and could enter into cooperative agreements

with local, statewide or national animals rights groups such as HSUS.

The kennel owner would have to post a bond to cover the cost. Real

estate and personal property could be required as security for the bond.

Civil penalties of up to $1,000 each would multiply for every

offense, and no limit would be placed on the total of accumulated

citations and penalties for each dog or situation involved.

Please read this legislation for yourself: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/

Bills/106/Bill/HB0386.pdf.

[Guest jackdog]

Well from where I sit if you have 20 females that your breeding then yup you are a commercial breeder. Puppy mills are a disgrace that needs to stop. Should individuals have right to breed their pets. Yes but with in reason. I currently have and maintain 5 dogs. Every one of these dogs were adopted from shelters because that was their last chance at life, prior to a death sentence. or they were dumped by stupid people and found their way to us. The number of ill responsible dog owners clearly out ways those that are responsible. With saying all that I do not know that you can legislate this. Just to many dumb butts out there that have no idea that they are taking on a huge responsibility when they decide to have pets and or live stock. Feed proper vet care training are all required. Actually it is much like raiseing childern, not an easy task.

Difference is you dump a child by the side of the road it is crime, a dog or cat seems to be okay with in a lot of our society.

[Champ198]

Thanks for the info!!

I've forwarded this to the breeder we got our Golden from.

[Tim Nunan]

Using a phrase like "puppy mills" is a red herring. For those like H$US it means anyone who breds no matter how many dogs one owns. That is their agenda... do away with animal explotation which they define as any use of animals. H$U$ is merely PETA in suits.

This bill will include rescue groups and force them to be considered a commerical operation.

As I stated the devil is in the details and H$U$ certainly knows how to manage the details while looking so "fair".

I posted this here specifically because of the potential impact on breeders of hunting dogs. Those who own a gun dog should consider whether they'll be able to get one from the same kennel if it has to be licensed as a commerical breeder as defined in this bill.