Last year, Pennsylvania Governor Rendell requested that the Department of Agriculture develop new dog law regulations. With little input from potentially affected parties, the resulting proposals, as published in January, attempt to impose many egregious requirements upon Pennsylvania dog breeders, including:
- Requiring licensing of thousands of small residential hobby and show breeding households under a “temporary housing” provision.
- Imposing space and exercise requirements that are not based on any scientific or accepted animal husbandry practices.
- Mandating excessively burdensome non-verifiable record-keeping requirements.
- Compelling costly renovation or rebuilding of all kennels that already comply with current federal and/or state standards.
In response, the Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission issued a biting 21-page commentary on the proposal, and concluded that, “the Department should consider starting from scratch…with input from both stakeholders and the General Assembly.”
The American Kennel Club and the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs strongly support humane treatment of dogs, including an adequate and nutritious diet, clean water, clean living conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and responsive human companionship, and training in appropriate behavior. However, we do not believe that the proposed changes will achieve these aims. It is crucial that you take action to ensure that these proposals are no longer considered.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
- Print and distribute the attached flyer to your friends and fellow dog owners and urge them to oppose the proposed dog law regulations. Click here.
- Pennsylvania residents, immediately contact your state representative and state senator. Urge them to withdraw the proposed dog law regulations. Go to http://www.legis.state.pa.us/ to find the names and office telephone numbers of your state representative and senator.
- Write opinion letters to your local newspaper opposing the proposed dog law regulations.
For more information, contact:
- The Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs online at http://home.paonline.com/pfdc/ , or e-mail at PFDC@paonline.com.
- AKC’s Canine Legislation Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail at doglaw@akc.org.
Last year, Pennsylvania Governor Rendell requested that the Department of Agriculture develop new…