SB 139 is scheduled for a hearing in the Agriculture and Conservation Committee for February 18th at 1pm in Room 409 of the State Capitol. Please contact the committee members and the author to express your concerns. The AKC Government Relations department will provide an update after the hearing on our website and will have an alert available at our booth at the International Kennel Club show.
AKC Troubled by Illinois Crop/Dock Bill
[Tuesday, February 03, 2009]
The American Kennel Club is deeply concerned by Illinois Senate Bill 139. The bill, introduced by Senator Terry Link, the majority caucus whip, seeks to severely limit the practices of tail docking and ear cropping in the state. It is imperative that all concerned Illinois dog owners contact their elected representatives and the bill’s sponsor and express their strong opposition to this attempt to fundamentally change breed standards by limiting acceptable practices of animal husbandry that are accompanied by appropriate veterinary care.
Current Illinois statute allows ear cropping and tail docking done for any legitimate purpose. If SB 139 becomes law, ear cropping and tail docking would be considered “animal torture” under Illinois criminal law and would be allowed only for medical purposes. In effect, SB 139 seeks to fundamentally change many breeds’ characteristics by severely limiting the valid practices of cropping and docking.
The AKC’s policy on the issues of ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal states:
The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided.
The AKC recognizes that ear cropping and tail docking, as prescribed in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character, enhancing good health, and preventing injuries. These breed characteristics ensure the safety of dogs that on a daily basis perform heroic roles with Homeland Security, serve in the U.S. Military, and with Police Departments. These dogs protect tens of thousands of communities throughout our nation and work in the field. Any inference that these procedures are “cosmetic” and unnecessary is a severe mischaracterization that connotes a lack of respect and knowledge of history and the function of purebred dogs.
Breed standards are established and maintained by AKC parent clubs (each of the 158 AKC registered breeds is stewarded by a breed-specific parent club) whose primary purpose is to protect the welfare of their breed and the function it was bred to perform. The American Kennel Club strongly opposes any attempt by lawmakers to fundamentally change breed standards by way of limiting acceptable practices of animal husbandry that are provided with appropriate veterinary care, as SB 139 seeks to do.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Concerned Illinois dog owners are encouraged to contact the bill’s sponsor, Senator Terry Link, and their elected representatives in Springfield, and respectfully yet strongly urge them to oppose this attempted infringement on individual liberties.
Bill sponsor Senator Terry Link
Springfield Office:
321 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: (217) 782-8181
District Office:
906 Muir Avenue
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Phone: (847) 735-8181
FAX: (847) 735-8184
Senate Agriculture and Conservation Committee Members
Senator Michael W. Frerichs, Chair
118 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-2507
(217) 355-5255 (FAX)
Senator A.J. Wilhelmi, Vice-Chair 311 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8800
(815) 207-4446 (FAX)
Senator Deanna Demuzio
M106 Capitol Building
Springfield IL 62706
(217) 782-8206
(217) 854-5311 (FAX)
Senator Linda Holmes
M122 Capitol Building
Springfield IL 62706
(217) 782-0422
(217) 782-2115 (FAX)
Senator Toi W Hutchinson
M108 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-7419
(708) 756-0885 FAX
Senator David Koehler
311 B Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8250
(217) 782-3213 FAX
Senator John O. Jones, Minority Spokesperson
103D Capitol Building
Springfield IL 62706
(217) 782-0471
(618) 242-9516 (FAX)
Email: johnojones@sbcglobal.net
Senator Tim Bivins
309H Capitol Building
Springfield IL 62706
(217) 782-0180
(815) 284-0207 FAX
Senator Gary G. Dahl
105E Capitol Building
Springfield IL 62706
(217) 782-3840
(815) 220-8721 (FAX)
Senator Frank C. Watson
309C Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5755
(618) 664-9112 FAX
RESOURCES:
For a copy of the full legislation, please click here.
For tips on how to effectively communicate with legislators, please click here.
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
SB 139 is scheduled for a hearing in the Agriculture and Conservation Committee for February 18th at…