On Thursday, March 6, the New Jersey Assembly Commerce, Economic Development, and Agriculture Committee will consider Assembly Bill 4051, which seeks to repeal the state’s consumer protection laws for pet purchasers and implement a statewide ban on the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits by pet shops. The American Kennel Club (AKC) encourages all concerned dog owners to contact the committee to explain why A.4051, as introduced, is unsound public policy and should not be further considered.
What You Can Do:
Concerned dog owners, fanciers, and enthusiasts in New Jersey are strongly encouraged to contact the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development, and Agriculture Committee. Explain why A.4051 would harm New Jersey dog owners by eliminating consumer protections for pet purchasers and forcing retail stores out of business (See AKC’s previous alert for further information and talking points on the bill). Also ask the members to consider tabling the bill and work to pass A.5173 instead.
A.5173 is legislation sponsored by Commerce, Economic Development, and Agriculture Committee Chair Bill Spearman. This bill would establish a Responsible Animal Breeding Working Group within the state’s Department of Agriculture to study the sourcing of dogs (and as written includes the American Kennel Club and New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs, among other groups).
This bill would ensure that the state first take the time to truly study the reality of breeders, dog sales, and animal population in the state before passing additional legislation. Further, other states that have passed retail bans soon discovered that the action simply closed businesses and limited customer choice but did not stop irresponsible breeding.
Committee Contact Information:
Assemblyman William W. Spearman, Chair
(856) 547-4800
AsmSpearman@njleg.org
Assemblyman Chris Tully, Vice-Chair
(201) 576-9199
AsmTully@njleg.org
Assemblyman Brian Bergen
(973) 539-8113
AsmBergen@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia
(973) 300-0200
AswFantasia@njleg.org
Assemblyman Robert J. Karabindchak
(732) 548-1406
AsmKarabinchak@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Andrea Katz
(609) 850-2397
AswKatz@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis
(908) 679-8889
AswMatsikoudis@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Carmen Theresa Morales
(973) 450-0484
AswMorales@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Ellen J. Park
(201) 308-7062
AswPark@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Luanne M. Peterpaul, Esq.
(732) 695-3371
AswPeterpaul@njleg.org
Assemblyman Alex Sauickie
(609) 758-0205
AsmSauickie@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Heather Simmons
(856) 226-3530
AswSimmons@njleg.org
For more information, contact AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.