Tomorrow (Tuesday, February 3) at 9:30am, the Virginia Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (ACNR) Committee, Companion Animal Sub-Committee will consider legislation to ban “debarking” and a bill that seeks to define a “puppy mill”.
Virginia residents should use the contact information provided below to express any concerns you have with these bills today:
Senate Bill 707- Debarking Ban:
Senate Bill 707 bans “debarking” – a standard veterinary practice also known as bark softening – except when such procedure is necessary to treat or relieve any injury, disease, or congenital defect that is causing or may cause the dog physical pain or harm.
The AKC agrees that this procedure should only be performed by licensed veterinarians. The AKC opposes the portion which would restrict the rights of responsible dog owners to make viable, safe decisions on behalf of their pets in conjunction with their veterinarians. Virginia residents are strongly encouraged to contact the Companion Animal Sub-Committee to express your concerns with Senate Bill 707. (Scroll down for contact information).
Talking Points:
Debarking, or “bark softening” is a veterinary procedure that humanely softens a dog’s bark. The dog may still bark, but at a softer volume. When performed correctly by a licensed veterinarian, the procedure is non-invasive, takes just a couple minutes to perform, and has no lasting negative effects. In certain circumstances, this procedure could be the difference between the dog being sent to a shelter or staying in a loving home when all other training attempts have failed.
Debarking should only be performed by a qualified veterinarian after behavioral efforts to correct a dog’s excessive barking have failed. As with other veterinary medical decisions, the decision to debark a dog is best left to individual owners and their veterinarians.
Senate Bill 792 – Defining “Puppy Mill”
In addition to Senate Bill 707, the Sub-Committee will also consider Senate Bill 792 which seeks to define the pejorative term “puppy mill” in state statue, and prevent pet stores from sourcing from breeders meeting this definition.
As defined in SB 792, a “Puppy mill” means a dog breeding operation that (i) maintains dogs in conditions that fail to provide adequate care, adequate exercise, adequate shelter, or adequate space; (ii) houses dogs in overcrowded, unsanitary, or inhumane conditions; (iii) operates with a primary purpose of maximizing profit through volume production of dogs while failing to provide adequate care; or (iv) has been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for direct or critical violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. § 2131 et seq.) within the preceding two years, or has received two consecutive citations for refusal to allow facility access for inspection.
Talking Points:
AKC agrees that no dogs should be raised in an inhumane manner where health and safety are at risk. However, it is unclear how terms such as “overcrowded” and “unsanitary” will be determined. It is also unclear how this provision will be enforced, particularly regarding breeders not located in Virginia but are sourcing to Virginia pet stores.
What You Can Do:
To comment on either of these bills, you are urged to contact the members of the Senate ACNR Companion Animal Sub-Committee immediately, prior to the subcommittee meeting on Tuesday, February 3 at 9:30 am:
Stella G. Pekarsky, Chair – (804) 698-7536 Email – senatorpekarsky@senate.virginia.gov
Saddam Azlan Salim – (804) 698-7537 Email – senatorsalim@senate.virginia.gov
David R. Suetterlein – (804) 698-7504 Email – senatorsuetterlein@senate.virginia.gov
For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.
AKC GR along with our partner the Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and Breeders continues to monitor the Virginia General Assembly for bills impacting responsible dog owners and breeders.