Radical Anti-Breeder Bill Looms in New Jersey
Please oppose A1591
January, 2008
The authors who brought you New Jersey Assembly Bill
3401 last year have re-introduced an identical bill this session aimed at
severely limiting dog and cat breeding. Assembly Bill 1591, sponsored by
Assemblyman Neil Cohen and Assemblywoman Joan Voss, has been assigned to the
Agriculture & Natural Resource Committee. While it has not yet been
scheduled for a hearing as of January 2008, NAIA Trust will remain on alert
and keep you apprised of any developments.
A1591 ranks as one of the most radical and repressive
anti-dog, anti-breeder bills that has ever been presented in the United
States. This bill creates mountains of red tape for the best dog breeders in
the community and if passed would decrease the number of well-bred dogs and
cats available to the public.
If passed, this bill would shift the
breeding of dogs away from private homes where the best qualified and most
dedicated breeders maintain small, humane breeding programs, to larger
commercial breeders, most who live and operate out of state.
Dogs in New Jersey shelters and rescues have been
declining for more than a decade. Some shelters and many rescue groups are
filling their facilities with shelter dogs from out of state and street dogs
from out of state and out of the United States.
The details of A1591 make it obvious that it intends to
stop the breeding of dogs and cats in New Jersey. This bill is not pro animal,
not even pro consumer; it is simply anti-breeder.
This bill would
penalize persons buying cats or dogs from any breeder that does not have valid
registration and is not on the list published annually by the Department of
Health. The bill also requires pet dealers to make information on the cats and
dogs available and to inform the public that it is available.
The bill
introduces an HSUS re-written version of USDA facility regulations for
commercial breeders, specifying temperatures in the animal facilities, air
circulation rates, type of flooring and cage sizes.
The bill mandates
that a dog or cat may NOT be bred more than once a year, a provision that HSUS
included in the failed federal Puppy Protection Act. Federal lawmakers knew
better and recognized the radical nature of this proposal.
All breeders
will be required to follow the State developed veterinary program once
established, which includes but shall not be limited to: provisions for
vaccinations, internal and external parasite control, disease prevention and
control, grooming, spaying, neutering and care of pregnant animals, first aid
and emergency care protocols, housing considerations associated with illness
and injury, and humane euthanasia methods.
One particularly troubling provision in this bill
directs the Department of Health to consult with professional veterinarian
associations, the Humane Society of the United States, the New Jersey Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and other groups, associations and
organizations involved in the proper care and treatment of animals, and to
adopt rules and regulations establishing a standardized program of responsible
veterinary care to be implemented by breeding facilities.
The Humane Society of the United States is a radical
animal rights organization, not a mainstream animal welfare organization.
Their views do not reflect the views of New Jersey citizens who elect
lawmakers to represent them. They oppose the breeding of purebred
animals, as well as opposing biomedical research, and the use of animals for
food, fiber, hunting and fishing, and entertainment. Despite their name,
they don't run shelters, and their multi-million (dollar) assets are used
largely for more fund-raising and to promote their animal rights agenda. A
bill requiring state departments and regulators to consult with the Humane
Society of the United States is irresponsible and out of place.
The
bill authorizes the Department of Health to deny or revoke the registration of
any breeder who falsely attests to items in the registration document or who
has been found guilty of cruelty to animals or in violation on any other laws
concerning the proper breeding, care, housing, raising or treatment of animals
in any state or jurisdiction.
The bill provides extensive civil
administrative penalties and civil penalties for violations of the Act, with
the heaviest penalities falling on breeders who violate the
law.
Finally, individuals who provide information that leads to the
collection of these penalties are eligible for a reward of 10% of the penalty
collected or $250, whicher amount is greater.
Click here to view A1591.
Unless New Jersey lawmakers want to replace healthy, well-bred
purebred dogs and pedigreed cats with poorly bred, unsocialized and unhealthy
dogs from other states or countries, they should quickly defeat this
A1591.
Hopefully the authors of this bill are simply unaware
of the issues involved in promoting this misguided approach. If you wish to
write to Assemblymember Cohen or Voss, please highlight a some of the major
points above and ask them not to pursue this bill.
Co-Sponsor, Assemblyman Neil Cohen, District 20 (Union)
asmcohen@njleg.org
Co-sponsor, Assemblywoman Joan Voss, District 38
(Bergen)
aswvoss@njleg.org
Emphasize once again that this bill is not pro animal,
not even pro consumer; it is simply anti-breeder.
Patti Strand, National Director
National Animal Interest Alliance
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You can read the bill at this link:
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us:80/2008/Bills/A2000/1591_I1.HTM
SOUND THE ALARM!
OPPOSE NJ AB 1591
Help defeat New Jersey Assembly Bill 1591 which proposes to effectively end hobby breeding in New Jersey and threatens the rights of responsible breeders. AB 1591 denies citizens the ability to purchase a puppy or kitten from a responsible breeder in their own state.
AB1591 ranks as one of the most radical and repressive anti-dog, anti-breeder bills that has ever been presented in the United States.
Key points of AB 1591:
- Defines a "pet dealer" as anyone who sells or offers for sale 5 animals per year, and requires them to follow federal regulations
set forth by the AWA. Defining yourself as a “dealer” puts you into a whole new category.
- Requires breeders to comply with a host of restrictive regulations and institutes steep fines for violations.
- All breeders would be required to comply with draconian regulations including maintaining specified temperatures, keeping animals only on
nonporous surfaces, and circulating air at precise levels.
- The measure further mandates the acceptable dimensions for crates and runs, and sets minimum socialization standards.
- All breeders are required to register annually with the Department of Health. This list will be published and made available to the
public.
- Violations can be punished with monetary fines of $5,000 for a first offense or suspension of the license to sell pets.
- A member of the public who supplies information that results in fines or suspension will be eligible for an award of 10 percent of
the civil penalty or $250, whichever is greater.
ACT NOW! NJ Residents should immediately contact the members of the NJ Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Urge them to oppose AB 1591. Contact information and links to the bill can be found on the AKC's Website
AKC ALERT- NJ!
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3420
Mandatory Spay/Neuter Reintroduced in New Jersey
[Tuesday, January 29, 2008]
Senator Van Drew has introduced Senate Bill 971, a bill which
threatens the rights of responsible dog owners in New Jersey. This
bill is a reintroduction of 2006's AB 3542. Fanciers, concerned dog
owners, and responsible breeders should immediately contact their
representatives in the New Jersey State Legislature, and the members
of the Senate Economic Growth Committee who will first hear this
bill, and express their vehement opposition to this bill.
The bill would require that before a dog could be released from any
shelter or pound it must be sterilized, unless the owner can provide
documentation of the following:
that the dog "has been shown" within the last 12 months; or
that the owner is a "professional licensed breeder registered with
the American Kennel Club"; or
a licensed veterinarian has determined that sterilization would be
detrimental to the dog's health.
Sterilization is required for all dogs impounded, even if it is the
first time the dog has been detained.
The majority of purebred dogs never compete in AKC events and would
not be eligible for this exemption. Further, the American Kennel Club
does not license breeders. Therefore, this bill creates conditions
that the vast majority of responsible dog owners cannot possibly
meet.
The American Kennel Club opposes the concept of breeding permits,
breeding bans, or the mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs.
Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the
welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of
breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously.
Additionally, we strongly support and actively promote a wide range
of programs to educate the public about responsible breeding
practices and the responsibilities of dog ownership.
For a copy of the bill, click here.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Contact the members of the NJ Senate Economic Growth Committee. Urge
them to oppose SB 971.
Senator Raymond Lesniak - Chair
985 Stuyvesant Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
(908)-624-0880
To contact Senator Lesniak via e-mail, click here, then
click "Contact Your Legislator(s)", then click "Select your
Representative(s)".
Senator Sandra Cunningham
1738 Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201)-451-5100
To contact Senator Cunningham via e-mail, click here, then
click "Contact Your Legislator(s)", then click "Select your
Representative(s)".
Senator Joseph Kyrillos, Jr.
One Arin Park Building
Suite 303
1715 Highway 35
Middleton, NJ 07748
(732)-671-3206
To contact Senator Kyrillos via e-mail, click here, then
click "Contact Your Legislator(s)", then click "Select your
Representative(s)".
Senator Steven Oroho
Post Office Box 249
25 Route 23 South
Franklin, NJ 07416
(973)-827-2900
227 Route 206
Bldg. 1
1st Floor
Flanders, NJ 07836
(973)-584-4670
Senator Teresa Ruiz
To contact Senator Ruiz via e-mail, click here, then click "Contact
Your Legislator(s)", then click "Select your Representative(s)".
Contact your own state Assemblyperson and Senator. Express your
opposition to AB 1591, and urge them to do the same. To find out who
represents you in the New Jersey State Assembly and State Senate, go
here.
For more information, please contact the AKC Canine Legislation
Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org or contact
the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs at taborgsp@verison.net
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