Minnesota Senate File 3458, which is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, seeks to remove from current law an explicit declaration that data collected by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (Board) on commercial dog and cat breeders is private or nonpublic. SF 3458 would also:
- Clarify that a kennel licensed by the state must include its state license number or a symbol approved by the Board in all of its advertisements or promotions that pertain to animals being sold or traded, including but not limited to all advertisements or promotions in newspapers and flyers or on the Internet or radio.
- Add that the Board must post on its website a list of kennels and dealers licensed and in good standing, including the number of animals kept by the licensee in the previous year; at minimum, copies of the three most recent inspection reports submitted to the Board; and a list of kennels or dealers whose licenses have expired or been revoked over the past three years, including business names that licensees used, total number of animals kept in the previous year; and reasons for revocation.
- Adds that the Board inspection report must contain all business names used by the commercial breeder, the facility identification number, and the address and name of the facility.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is concerned that publication of sensitive information may provide anti-breeder protestors or animal rights extremists with facility location information, and lead to harassment of licensees or business interruptions at their facilities, including at private homes. AKC has long-been concerned with reports of breeders being harassed or retaliated against by individuals who oppose breeding and will use whatever means necessary to interrupt facility operations; or because breeders have defended responsible breeding practices with public officials, commented on troublesome anti-breeder legislation, or testified about it before state and local legislatures.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Concerned Minnesota residents are strongly encouraged to contact the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee to express concerns with SF 3458. Email the committee administrator at hunter.pederson@mnsenate.gov with documents to be posted to the entire committee, prior to 5PM today, Monday, March 4, 2024. Late submissions may not be posted in advance of hearing or included in prepared materials for committee members.
Individual committee members may be reached as follows:
State Senator Aric Putnam, Chair – (651) 296-6455, sen.aric.putnam@senate.mn
State Senator Robert Kupec, Vice Chair – (651) 296-3205, sen.robert.kupec@senate.mn
State Senator Torrey Westrom, Ranking Member – (651) 296-3826, sen.torrey.westrom@senate.mn
State Senator Bruce Anderson – (651) 296-5981, sen.bruce.anderson@senate.mn
State Senator Gary Dahms – (651) 296-8138, sen.gary.dahms@senate.mn
State Senator Gene Dornink – (651) 296-5240, sen.gene.dornink@senate.mn
State Senator Heather Gustafson – (651) 296-1253, sen.heather.gustafson@senate.mn
State Senator Mary Kunesh – (651) 296-4334, sen.mary.kunesh@senate.mn
State Senator Judy Seeberger – (651) 297-8060, sen.judy.seeberger@senate.mn
AKC Government Relations will report on developments with SF 3458 and other Minnesota legislation as developments warrant. For more information, contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.