Indiana House Bill 1719, introduced by Representative Bardon, seeks to require that all dogs over six months of age be microchipped, that a new state-run microchip registry be developed, that owners of intact dogs be assessed a $50 annual fee, and that “Beware of Dog” signs be put up for every intact dog. If passed and signed into law, the changes imposed by this bill would have a detrimental impact on dog breeders in Indiana. It is vitally important that breeders and dog owners contact their representative and the committee chairman to express their opposition.
As part of the American Kennel Club's ongoing efforts to promote responsible dog ownership, we encourage dog owners to properly identify their pets. We believe, however, that the final decision about identification—whether by collar, tattoo or microchip—should be made by the owner, not the government. The AKC also supports reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the right of responsible breeders and owners. Imposing financial sanctions on owners of dogs not spayed or neutered is an ineffective solution to animal control problems because it fails to address the heart of the issue—irresponsible ownership. These laws are extremely difficult to enforce and can be evaded by irresponsible animal owners who will purposefully not comply with this bill's provisions. This proposal will unfairly punish responsible owners who are already complying with local animal control laws, while irresponsible owners will continue to make problems for the community and local shelters.
For example, the proposed set of laws would require:
- All dogs over six months of age be microchipped with a state-sanctioned chip.
- All microchip data be stored in a state-run registry.
- All owners of dogs not spayed or neutered be assessed a $50 per year per dog fee.
- All owners of dogs not spayed or neutered to post a sign for each dog saying “Beware of Dog” and containing a warning symbol for children.
- Violators of any of these requirements be subject to a $500 fine.
What You Can Do:
Contact the members of the Indiana House Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedures who will consider this bill. (For those legislators listed without e-mail addresses, go here.)
Representative Scott Pelath, Chair
Indiana House of Representatives
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
1-800-382-9842 (from anywhere within Indiana)
Representative Russ Stilwell, Vice Chair
1-800-382-9842 (from anywhere within Indiana)
Representative Terri Austin
1-800-382-9842 (from anywhere within Indiana)
Representative Earl Harris
1-800-382-9842 (from anywhere within Indiana)
Representative Robert Kuzman
1-800-382-9842 (from anywhere within Indiana)
Representative Denny Oxley
1-800-382-9842 (from anywhere within Indiana)
Representative Matt Whetstone
1-800-382-9842 (from anywhere within Indiana)
h40@IN.gov
Representative Randy L. Borror
1-800-382-9842 (from anywhere within Indiana)
h84@IN.gov
Representative Ralph Foley
1-800-382-9842 (from anywhere within Indiana)
h47@IN.gov
Representative P. Eric Turner
1-800-382-9842 (from anywhere within Indiana)
H32@IN.gov
To find your legislators, click here.
For more information, contact AKC's Canine Legislation Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail at doglaw@akc.org.
Indiana House Bill 1719, introduced by Representative Bardon, seeks to require that all dogs over…