Strict Ohio Breeder Bill to be Heard on Wednesday, September 30
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[Monday, September 28, 2009]

A substitute version of Ohio House Bill 124 will be heard by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, September 30.

The AKC is concerned with many provisions within the substitute version of House Bill 124, including, but not limited to:

  • Broad definition of "Regulated Dog Intermediary". Anyone who sells, exchanges, donates, or gives away at least nine dogs a year or sells or gives one dog to a pet store is subject to a $500 annual license fee. This definition also does not exclude breeders, and it is unclear if those who acquire a dog breeding kennel license must also obtain a regulated dog intermediary license.
  • Arbitrary, unenforceable kennel requirements and standards of care. The detailed requirements outlined in this bill are nearly impossible to enforce and do not account for the varying needs of different dog breeds or the enormous costs to responsible breeders.
  • Little breeder representation within Kennel Control Authority Board. Besides one member "in good standing of a national breed parent club of the American Kennel Club", breeders have no representation on the board that will set the standards of care, oversee licensing, and conduct inspections.
  • Extensive cost to Ohio taxpayers. The bill creates a new board to oversee implementation and inspections, which the Ohio Legislative Service Commission reports will cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to maintain.

For a copy of the substitute version of the bill, please click here.

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) believes dog owners bear a special responsibility to provide proper care and humane treatment to their canine companions at all times and abhors all forms of animal cruelty. We also believe, however, that any bill seeking to protect the health and welfare of dogs should be reasonable, enforceable, and not infringe on the rights of breeders who take their responsibilities seriously.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

  • Attend the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee meeting to express your concerns and feedback regarding House Bill 124 as substituted. Although no vote is scheduled to be taken at this time, testimony will be taken. The hearing details are as follows:

    Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009
    Time: 9:30 a.m.
    Location:
    Ohio Statehouse
    Room 018
    77 S. High Street
    Columbus, Ohio 43215
    *Cash is required for parking

For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.