On Tuesday (March 21), a North Carolina committee will consider a bill to end “pet leasing” in the state.
According to the bill’s legislative findings, House Bill 226 will address a problem “on the rise” where customers enter into contractual agreements where they make monthly payments to “lease” a dog, and they do not end up owning the animal. There are exemptions for temporary leasing for breeding and other purposes.
Those who wish to comment should reach out to the House Commerce Committee (See contact information below) prior to the hearing on March 21.
Summary:
House Bill 226 prohibits any leasing agreements where the animal may be repossessed by the seller if payments are not made. It differentiates leases from loans, which are permitted.
AKC appreciates that the bill clearly exempts agreements to lease a purebred dog for breeding (i.e. stud dog services) if it is recorded by a national dog registry. H. 226 also exempts agreements for dogs to be in exhibitions, shows, field trials, or media and also the training or use of working and service dogs.
H.226 also cites AKC’s official policy position statement, noting, “The American Kennel Club supports a ban on predatory pet leasing schemes, stating that ‘[l]easing arrangements may allow a financial company to avoid regulatory oversight and consumer protection laws that protect both dogs and dog owners.’”
How to Comment:
Those who wish to comment should contact the members of the House Commerce Committee prior to the March 21 hearing. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting the members:
Stephen M. Ross, Chair (Alamance County)
919-733-5820
Stephen.Ross@ncleg.gov
John Sauls, Chair (Lee, Moore Counties)
919-715-3026
John.Sauls@ncleg.gov
Jake Johnson, Vice Chair (Henderson, McDowell, Polk, & Rutherford Counties)
919-715-4466
Jake.Johnson@ncleg.gov
Garland E. Pierce, Vice Chair (Hoke, Scotland Counties)
919-733-5803
Garland.Pierce@ncleg.gov
Steve Tyson (Craven County)
919-733-5853
Steve.Tyson@ncleg.gov
Jay Adams (Catawba County)
919-733-5988
Jay.Adams@ncleg.gov
John Autry (Mecklenburg County)
919-715-0706
John.Autry@ncleg.gov
Amber M. Baker (Forsyth County)
919-733-5829
Amber.Baker@ncleg.gov
John R. Bradford, III (Mecklenburg County)
919-733-5828
John.Bradford@ncleg.gov
Kanika Brown (Forsyth County)
919-733-5777
Kanika.Brown@ncleg.gov
Deb Butler (New Hanover County)
919-733-5754
Deb.Butler@ncleg.gov
Ashton Wheeler Clemmons (Guilford County)
919-733-5781
Ashton.Clemmons@ncleg.gov
Carla D. Cunningham (Mecklenburg County)
919-733-5807
Carla.Cunningham@ncleg.gov
Terence Everitt (Wake County)
919-715-3010
Terence.Everitt@ncleg.gov
Kyle Hall (Forsyth, Stokes Counties)
919-733-5609
Kyle.Hall@ncleg.gov
Julia C. Howard (Davie, Rowan, Yadkin Counties)
919-733-5904
Julia.Howard@ncleg.gov
Frank Iler (Brunswick County)
919-301-1450
Frank.Iler@ncleg.gov
Brandon Lofton (Mecklenburg County)
919-715-3009
Brandon.Lofton@ncleg.gov
Ben T. Moss, Jr. (Moore, Richmond Counties)
919-733-5903
Ben.Moss@ncleg.gov
Joseph Pike (Harnett County)
919-733-5906
Joe.Pike@ncleg.gov
Timothy Reeder, MD (Pitt County)
919-733-5757
Timothy.Reeder@ncleg.gov
Jason Saine (Lincoln County)
919-733-5782
Jason.Saine@ncleg.gov
Phil Shepard (Onslow County)
919-715-9644
Phil.Shepard@ncleg.gov
Frank Sossamon (Granville, Vance Counties)
919-733-5824
Frank.Sossamon@ncleg.gov
Larry C. Strickland (Johnston County)
919-733-5849
Larry.Strickland@ncleg.gov
Matthew Winslow (Franklin, Granville Counties)
919-715-3032
Matthew.Winslow@ncleg.gov
AKC Government Relations continues to monitor legislation in North Carolina impacting dog owners and breeders. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.