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California Fanciers Fight to Keep Preemptive Breed-Specific Clause
Last week, the California Assembly Local Government Committee voted 4
to 3 in favor of a repeal of California's current prohibition on
breed-specific local ordinances. The bill, SB 861 by Senator Jackie
Speier, will now proceed to the Assembly floor for a vote.
The amended version of SB 861 will allow local governments to
pass breed-specific ordinances that require mandatory spay/neuter of
certain breeds and/or impose breeding restrictions on the owners of
these breeds. Though the author claims that this bill will not allow
communities to ban specific breeds, these regulations amount to a de
facto breed ban. If allowed to pass, such legislation would have a
direct negative impact on fanciers and breeders in California. Any
breed could be targeted under this proposal, so all purebred dog
owners need to heed the call and join the opposition efforts.
Despite the short notice about the hearing, the Assembly Local
Government Committee did receive opposition from many groups
including the AKC, the California Veterinary Medical Association, the
Sacramento Council of Dog Clubs, The Animal Council, and many
individuals. Concerned dog owners who attended the hearing waited
over three hours for the opportunity to speak. In fact, only two
organizations were listed in support of the bill?othe California
League of Cities and the City of Concord?oalthough the bill has since
been endorsed by the City of San Jose. SB 861 was introduced by
Senator Speier at the request of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in
the wake of a tragic dog attack.
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ALABAMA - The City of Wilton has voted unanimously to adopt a leash
law. The ordinance requires that a dog be confined by a fence,
electronic fence or on a leash. Violators can be fined $50 plus court
costs for a first offense and $100 and $200 respectively for second
and third offenses.
ARKANSAS - Without the knowledge of local fanciers, the Town of
McGehee has adopted a new ordinance which will ban "pit bulls,"
defined as "Stafforshires, American bulldogs and dogs recognizable as
'pit bulls'" from being kept in the city limits. A grandfather clause
allows existing "pit bulls" to remain if they are spayed or neutered,
vaccinated for rabies and have a tattooed registration number on
their abdomen. Additionally, the dogs must be kept in a secure
enclosure or on a leash of 6-feet or less.
See news from other states
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As we begin the second half of the year, California dog owners have
yet another battle on their hands-this time over proposed legislation
that would permit breed-specific ordinances in the state. Please see
our feature article this month for more information about how you can
help fight to keep the state's generic dangerous dog law intact.
Read More
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