The Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee is scheduled to take public testimony on Wednesday, October 21, on a bill that as introduced creates numerous new regulations regarding shelter intake and release of dogs and cats. The agenda for the hearing also indicates that the bill may include provisions “to include large-scale commercial dog breeders.”
Summary:
House Bill 4915 as introduced makes several changes regarding animal shelter procedures, including holding times. One provision states that the shelter assumes ownership of the animal after the holding time has elapsed. The AKC recognizes that there may be cases where the owner may not find the dog within the time period outlined in this bill and is requesting that this be clarified to ensure that in cases where ownership may be definitively proven, an animal may always be returned to the owner.
The agenda also indicates the bill may be modified “to include large-scale commercial dog breeders”. No further specific information has been made available at this time. The AKC has some concerns, as many pieces of legislation introduced in Michigan over the past two years define a “large-scale commercial dog breeding kennel” solely on the number of intact animals a person happens to own, regardless of whether the animals are actually being bred. Often responsible dog owners will keep intact dogs for a variety of reasons including hunting, field trials, and participation in AKC events. As a result of being labeled as a “commercial” enterprise, many owners of multiple dogs who do not breed, or breed only an occasional litter would now find themselves improperly labeled as “commercial businesses” and in violation of their local zoning and HOA codes.
What You Can Do:
Michigan residents who wish to comment on this legislation may do the following:
Attend the House Regulatory Reform hearing on Wednesday, October 21. Testimony will be accepted at the hearing, but no vote will be taken. The hearing information is as follows:
Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
12:00 pm
House Office Building, Room 519
Michigan State Capitol
Contact the members of the House Regulatory Reform committee prior to the hearing on October 21:
Rep. Ray Franz, Chairman (Dist. 10)
PHONE: 517-373-0825
EMAIL: RayFranz@house.mi.gov
Rep. Brett Roberts, Majority Vice-Chair (Dist. 65)
PHONE: 517-373-1775
EMAIL: BrettRoberts@house.mi.gov
Rep. Ken Yonker (Dist. 72)
PHONE: 517-373-0840
TOLL FREE: 888-347-8072
EMAIL: KenYonker@house.mi.gov
Rep. Klint Kesto (Dist. 39)
PHONE: 517-373-1799
EMAIL: KlintKesto@house.mi.gov
Rep. Dan Lauwers (Dist. 81)
PHONE: 517-373-1790
EMAIL: DanLauwers@house.mi.gov
Rep. Kathy Crawford (Dist. 38)
PHONE: 517-373-0827
EMAIL: KathyCrawford@house.mi.gov
Rep. Daniela Garcia (Dist. 90)
PHONE: 517-373-0830
EMAIL: DanielaGarcia@house.mi.gov
Rep. Brandt Iden (Dist. 61)
PHONE: 517-373-1774
EMAIL: BrandtIden@house.mi.gov
Rep. Jim Tedder (Dist. 43)
PHONE: 517-373-0615
EMAIL: JimTedder@house.mi.gov
Rep. Scott Dianda, Minority Vice Chair (Dist. 110)
PHONE: 517-373-0850
EMAIL: scottdianda@house.mi.gov
Rep. George Darany (Dist. 15)
PHONE: 517-373-0847
TOLL-FREE: 855-77-1515
EMAIL: georgetdarany@house.mi.gov
Rep. Marilyn Lane (Dist. 31)
PHONE: 517-373-0159
TOLL-FREE: 877-347-8031
EMAIL: marilynlane@house.mi.gov
Rep. Andy Schor (Dist. 68)
PHONE: 517-373-0826
EMAIL: andyschor@house.mi.gov
Rep. John Chirkun (Dist. 22)
PHONE: 517-373-0854
EMAIL: johnchirkun@house.mi.gov
Rep. Jeremy Moss (Dist. 35)
PHONE: 517-373-1788
EMAIL: jeremymoss@house.mi.gov
AKC Government Relations will provide more information on this bill as it becomes available. For more information on this legislation, contact the Michigan Association for Pure-Bred Dogs at bobkdarden@hotmail.com
The Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee is scheduled to take public testimony on Wednesday, October 21, on a bill that as introduced creates numerous new regulations regarding shelter intake and release of dogs and cats. The agenda for the hearing also indicates that the bill may include provisions to include large-scale commercial dog breeders.