Attention North Carolina dog owners and breeders! Last fall, North Carolina co-speaker of the House Jim Black established the House Interim Committee on the Prevention and Disposition of Unwanted and Abandoned Companion Animals. Its purpose was to evaluate the state's animal care and control laws. Specifically, the committee was charged with studying North Carolina's animal population concerns and recommending reform. Purebred dog fanciers were not given representation on the task force.
Task force subcommittees have now completed their studies and are in the process of issuing final recommendations to the full committee, which will be drafted into legislation in coming weeks. A bill will likely be introduced in May when the General Assembly convenes for its short session. Early reports indicate that such legislation may include the following:
- Mandatory spay/neuter of all companion animals unless one purchases a breeder permit. Owners of one intact animal will be considered minor breeders; those with more that one intact animal will be classified as major breeders.
- Breeder permit numbers must be displayed and given to buyers.
- Fines will be issued for noncompliance.
- Owners of intact animals will face higher fines if their dog is found at large than will owners of altered animals. Impounded animals must also be sterilized before they can be reclaimed.
As part of our concern for the welfare of dogs, the American Kennel Club understands the committee's desire to address pet population issues in North Carolina. We agree with some additional suggestions proposed by the committee, including strengthening of animal cruelty laws and expanding low-cost spay-neuter programs. However, the AKC opposes the concept of breeding permits, breeding bans and mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs. Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of responsible breeders and owners. The AKC has repeatedly expressed this position to the committee but more help is needed from responsible owners and breeders who will be severely impacted by proposed breeding restrictions.
What You Can Do:
- Contact the House Interim Committee on the Prevention and Disposition of Unwanted and Abandoned Companion Animals. Urge them to reject mandatory spay/neuter and breeder permit recommendations from final proposed legislation.
House Interim Committee on the Prevention and Disposition
of Unwanted and Abandoned Companion Animals
| Representative Dewey Hill, Co-Chair | Representative Julia Howard, Co-Chair |
| 1309 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096 Phone: 919-733-5830 Email: Deweyh@ncleg.net |
1106 Legislative Building, Raleigh, NC 27601-1096 Phone: 919-733-5904 Email: Juliah@ncleg.net |
- Watch AKC's Web site regularly for future alerts as this issue progresses. We need your help!
Attention North Carolina dog owners and breeders! Last fall, North Carolina co-speaker
of the…