Senate Bill 1276, sponsored by Senator Tony Hill, seeks to remove Florida's existing statute that prevents local governments from implementing breed-specific laws. The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs both strongly oppose this bill. The bill will be considered by the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Thursday, March 4. We encourage all responsible dog owners in Florida to attend Thursday's hearing in opposition to the bill; or, in the alternative, contact the committee members (which includes the bill's sponsor) and your State Senator, and express your opposition to the bill.
The American Kennel Club's position on dangerous dog control legislation is clear—we support reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory laws to govern the ownership of dogs. The AKC believes that dog owners should be responsible for their dogs. We support laws that: establish a fair process by which specific dogs are identified as “dangerous” based on stated, measureable actions; impose appropriate penalties on irresponsible owners; and establish a well-defined method for dealing with dogs proven to be dangerous. The American Kennel Club strongly opposes any legislation that determines a dog to be “dangerous based on specific breeds or phenotypic classes of dogs.
The American Kennel Club opposes SB 1276's attempt at lifting the State's prohibition against local breed-specific legislation. We believe that SB 1276 should not be moved out of committee, thereby allowing Florida's breed-neutral policy regarding dangerous dogs to remain the law of the state.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
All concerned dog owners in Florida are encouraged to attend the Senate Community Affairs Committee's Thursday meeting, and appear in opposition to SB 1276.
1:00 PM
Pat Thomas Committee Room
412 Knott Building
State Capitol Complex
Tallahassee, FL 32301
All Floridians are also urged to: 1) call or e-mail your State Senator and express your opposition to the bill. 2) Please also contact the members of the Senate Community Affairs Committee who will consider the bill on Thursday, March 4th. Respectfully yet strongly urge them to not move SB 1276 out of the committee. (A customizable sample letter, tips, and talking points are provided below.)
To find your Florida State Senator, click here.
Senate Committee on Community Affairs
Committee Address 404 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100, Phone: (850) 487-5167
Senator Michael S “Mike” Bennett, Chair
322 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5078
bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Gary Siplin, Vice Chair
205 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5190
siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Thad Altman
324 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5053
altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Ted Deutch
216 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5091
deutch.ted.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Rudy Garcia
414 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5106
garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Andy Gardiner
308 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5047
gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Anthony C. “Tony” Hill, Sr. (Bill Sponsor)
213 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5024
hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Jeremy Ring
326 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5094
ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Ronda Storms
413 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5072
storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov
Senator John Thrasher
212 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5030
thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Stephen R. Wise
410 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5027
wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov
RESOURCES:
- Click here for a customizable sample letter.
- Click Here for Tips on Effectively Communicating With Your Legislator.
- Click Here for AKC's Talking Points Opposing Breed-Specific Legislation.
- Click Here for AKC's “Deed, Not Breed” Flyer.
For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org; or contact Susan Smith with the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs at mikahkid2@aol.com.
Senate Bill 1276, sponsored by Senator Tony Hill, seeks to remove Florida’s existing statute that…