The Suffolk County, New York Legislature has scheduled a public hearing on August 2 for IR-1545, a measure that contains numerous inaccurate, misleading, and unsubstantiated claims that impugn the integrity of the American Kennel Club and the many responsible local AKC dog owners and breeders who devote their lives to the wellbeing of dogs.
The AKC strongly opposes the intent of this bill and urges all responsible Suffolk County dog owners to politely but firmly express their opposition to this measure by attending the public hearing August 2 and by directly contacting members of the County Legislature. Scroll down for hearing and contact information.
Summary:
Suffolk County IR-1545 purportedly seeks to educate consumers about illegal and substandard kennel conditions in other states by limiting the choice of types of dogs that may be sold in Suffolk County pet shops. Under this measure, dogs at Suffolk pet stores could only be sourced from shelters, rescue organizations or Suffolk County breeders.
The legislative findings presented in IR-1545 attack the integrity of responsible breeders and the American Kennel Club by broadly implying that all female dogs bred in the United States are mistreated, abandoned and/or killed. It makes a number of other wildly inaccurate statements, including claims that AKC inspections do not assess the care/conditions or wellbeing of dogs.
Read the AKC's letter to the Suffolk County Legislature
How You Can Help:
- Attend the hearing and express your concerns with IR 1545. The meeting information is as follows:
Date: Tuesday, August 2
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: Hauppauge Legislative Auditorium
W.H. Rogers Legislature Building
725 Veterans Memorial Highway
Smithtown, NY 11787
- Contact committee members and express your opposition to IR 1545.
The Suffolk County, New York Legislature has scheduled a public hearing on August 2 for IR-1545, a…