A new Georgia bill that would potentially create statewide dog ownership limits and subject owners of intact female dogs and/or small hobby breeders to vague commercial-style breeder licensing requirements will be considered in a hearing on Monday, March 2, at 9AM. Please contact your lawmakers NOW to express your concerns. Scroll down for talking points and more details.
Senate Bill 590 would impose ownership limits, expand who would be regulated under Georgia law as a dog breeder, and create vague new care standards for dogs in a breeder’s possession.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) urges all concerned dog breeders and owners in Georgia to contact the members of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee immediately to request SB 590 not be approved as introduced (scroll down for talking points and lawmaker contact information).
What SB 590 Would Do
(1) Create a new definition of “dog breeder”, applying to anyone who:
- Sells or offers for sale offspring of dogs they have bred; or
- Possesses more than four intact female dogs for “breeding purposes”, a term it does not define.
(2) Expand minimum standards of care for dogs kept by dog breeders, including:
- Housing standards: (1) Primary enclosure (a term it does not define but may include crates used within a home for training/ resting, similar to federal requirements) size minimums based on the dog’s length and height, and (2) Shelter requirements.
- Veterinary care consistent with generally accepted veterinary standards.
- Mandate regular exercise appropriate for the breed.
- Require rest and recovery between breeding cycles in accordance with accepted breeding standards.
(3) Limit the total number of dogs a person may possess for “breeding purposes” to no more than 30.
Why This Matters – Talking Points
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. However, as introduced, SB 590 presents several issues:
(1) Anyone who would sell or offer to sell a puppy they bred would be considered a dog breeder, including those who may sell puppies from one litter and never produce a litter again.
(2) Fails to specifically define “breeding female”, leading to vagueness concerns.
(3) Imposes arbitrary ownership limits without regard for the care or facilities provided and for what would happen to dogs that would be over the proposed ownership limit.
(4) Does not provide for breeder licensing or regulations enforcement.
Click here to learn more about concerns with Breeding Regulations and Restrictions.
How to Contact Lawmakers
SB 590 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee on Monday, March 2, at 9AM. Concerned Georgians are encouraged to contact the following members of the committee hearing the bill to share these concerns.
State Senator Russ Goodman, Chairman – russ.goodman@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Lee Anderson, Vice Chairman – lee.anderson@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Larry Walker, III, Secretary – larry.walker@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Max Burns – max.burns@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Drew Echols, Ex-Officio – drew.echols@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Bo Hatchett, Ex-Officio – bo.hatchett@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Jaha Howard – jaha.howard@senate.ga.gov
State Senator RaShaun Kemp – rashaun.kemp@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Freddie Powell Sims – freddie.sims@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Carden Summers – carden.summers@senate.ga.gov
State Senator Sam Watson – sam.watson@senate.ga.gov
Concerned Georgians are also encouraged to express concerns with SB 590 in person at the March 2nd hearing. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9AM in Room 307 of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building, 18 Capitol Square, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia, 30334.
Next Steps and For More Information
AKC Government Relations and the Georgia Canine Coalition will continue to work with lawmakers to address concerns with SB 590 and will provide updates as developments warrant. For more information, contact:
AKC Government Relations – doglaw@akc.org, (919) 816-3720
Georgia Canine Coalition – OUTLAND@laberge.org, (770) 722-9371