Wisconsin Representative Don Pridemore is currently asking legislators to sign on as co-sponsors to LRB 1798 – legislation that would change the definition of “dog breeder” in state law from those who sell 25 dogs per year to those who sell 50 dogs per year.
The American Kennel Club strongly believes that all dogs should be raised in a safe, healthy environment. This is attainable without imposing undue burdens and costly regulations on hobby breeders.
The low threshold in current law has proved very problematic for hobby breeders, and even those who foster and rescue dogs, as the statute as clarified by Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is interpreted to mean that the 25-dog threshold does include co-ownerships, and those who shelter 25 dogs over the course of a year. As a result, they were subject to extensive licensing and other regulations intended for commercial kennels and large shelters.
Increasing the threshold in current law would not impact state and local cruelty laws that protect the health and welfare of dogs. It would, however, ensure that the requirements intended for commercial operations do not extend to hobbyists, small rescues, and others, many of whom breed, raise and care for dogs in their homes.
How You Can Help:
Contact your legislators. Let them know you are a constituent and ask them to support LRB 1798, sponsored by Representative Pridemore, and to consider being a co-sponsor. The deadline for co-sponsors is Thursday, October 20.
Find the names and contact information for your State Representative and Senator here.
For questions or more information, contact the Dog Federation of Wisconsin at doglaw@dfow.net or AKC Government Relations at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.
Wisconsin Representative Don Pridemore is currently asking legislators to sign on as co-sponsors to…