On Monday, June 20, a committee of Stamford, Connecticut’s Board of Representatives will accept public comment on proposed changes to Chapter 111 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. Since the proposal was first considered, several changes have been made at the behest of resident responsible dog owners. However, the proposal still seeks to create breeder permits. On principle, the American Kennel Club opposes breeder permits. AKC strongly encourages all dog owners in Stamford to attend Monday’s meeting of the Legislative and Rules Committee (details below) or to contact the committee members and express your concerns.
Sec. 111-12 of the proposal, regarding the breeding of dogs, creates breeding permits. Under the proposal, residents wishing to breed a dog must obtain a breeding permit from the city. Permits would cost $50 per year. Breeders who have obtained a state kennel license administered by the city would not be required to obtain breeding permits. Those obtaining breeder permits would be subject to facilities inspections by the city.
The American Kennel Club’s Board-approved Canine Legislation Position Statement on Breeding Regulations and Restrictions is clear:
“The AKC opposes the concept of breeding permits, breeding bans or mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs… The AKC supports reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who meet their responsibilities.”
The AKC respectfully requests that the provisions creating breeding permits for Stamford residents be removed from the proposal. New statutory permits, requirements and expensive fees will only burden responsible breeders and owners who already comply with laws and regulations pertaining to the keeping of their dogs. Creating additional requirements and fees are not likely to incentivize irresponsible breeders, or those currently not complying with the law, to do so.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Stamford residents are strongly encouraged to attend Monday’s meeting of the Legislative and Rules Committee of the Board of Representatives and express their concerns with the proposal. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7PM in the Democratic Caucus Room, 4th Floor, Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT 06901.
Stamford residents are also strongly encouraged to contact the members of the Legislative and Rules committee and respectfully urge them to remove the breeding permit requirement.
City Representative Eileen Heaphy, Committee Chair — eheaphy@stamfordCT.gov
City Representative Elise Coleman, Committee Vice Chair — ecoleman@stamfordCT.gov
City Representative Harry Day — hday@stamfordCT.gov
City Representative Elaine Mitchell — emitchell@stamfordCT.gov
City Representative Susan Nabel — snabel@stamfordCT.gov
City Representative Gail Okun — gokun@stamfordCT.gov
City Representative Kieran Ryan — kryan@stamfordCT.gov
City Representative Keith Silver — ksilver@stamfordCT.gov
City Representative John R. Zelinsky, Jr. — jzelinsky@stamfordCT.gov
For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations (AKC GR) Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org. AKC GR will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
On Monday, June 20, a committee of Stamford, Connecticuts Board of Representatives will accept public comment on proposed changes to Chapter 111 of the Citys Code of Ordinances. AKC strongly encourages all dog owners in Stamford to attend Mondays meeting of the Legislative and Rules Committee (details below) or to contact the committee members and express your concerns on the proposed breeder permits.