Yesterday, the Rhode Island House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee held House Bill 8205 for further study. This means that the bill was not approved by the committee, but that it may further consider the bill at a later date during the remainder of the 2014 legislative session. The AKC commends the many Rhode Island dog breeders and owners, local clubs, and parent clubs that contacted the committee in opposition to the proposal.
Established in 1884, the American Kennel Club promotes the study, breeding, exhibiting, and advancement of purebred dogs. The world’s largest not-for-profit dog registry, the AKC advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and wellbeing, protects the rights of all dog owners, and promotes the ideas of responsible dog ownership.
The AKC opposes the concept of breeding permits, breeding bans or the mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs. We believe that reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who meet their responsibilities is a fairer and more effective approach than mandatory spay/neuter laws. Further, laws mandating the spay/neuter of young dogs fail to take into consideration scientific research indicating that juvenile spay/neuter may ultimately prove harmful to a dog’s long-term health, may increase incidences of some tumors, impact continence and reduce lifespan. Ultimately, we believe that all health care decisions, including whether to spay or neuter, should be made by a dog’s owner in consultation with their veterinarian.
Click here to read AKC’s May 20th alert on House Bill 8205.
AKC will continue to provide updates on HB 8205 as they develop. For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or email doglaw@akc.org.
Yesterday, the Rhode Island House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee held House Bill 8205 for…