Banter April 2011

The annual board meeting ofEndangered Breeds Association was heldMarch 5 during the American DogBreeders Association Convention in LasVegas, Nev.

Board members present included a quo-rum of Kim Krohn, Tom Lundberg, JoanMorrison, Doris Hutson, Jean Carpenter,JoAnn LeBlanc, Hank Greenwood andLucretia Ashcraft.

The board also announced its winnersof recognition awards, which includedGarland Juarez, President of the CaliforniaAmerican Pit Bull Terrier Club; LeighAnna Terrell, Bryan, TX; Dalora Prather,Baton Rouge, LA; Karen and LewisStrange, President and Secretary of theMissouri Federation of Animal Owners;and Doris Hutson, Walker, LA.

President Kim Krohn welcomed TomLundberg to the board and as the board'snew vice president.

Lundberg thanked the board for theirconfidence, then discussed several billswhich are being proposed during the 2011session of the Texas Legislature. One bill,HB 998, is aimed at owners of dogsweighing 20 pounds or more and requiringowners to obtain $100,000 liability insur-ance. Another bill deals with breeders andthe puppies and cats that are sold andstrict regulations which would have to befollowed.

Lundberg also discussed the October2011 National Dog Show which will besponsored by Lone Star State Pit BullClub. Several ways to raise funds forEBA during this show were discussed.

The board also approved an expenditureof $5,000 to help pay for lobbyist

expenses in Texas, and put Lundberg incharge of how funds from the Texas Fundwould be spent.

Krohn discussed the annual RalphGreenwood Memorial Show which will beMemorial Day weekend in Missouri.Krohn's club, Sho-Me-State, is hostingthis event.

The board also discussed a previouscase from 2009 involving ResponsibleOwners of Arkansas Dogs Inc. versusNorth Little Rock, AR. This case wasdismissed by the courts at the request ofROADS and was to be filed again. Thecase to date has not been refiled.

Jean Carpenter reported on legislativeactions from 2010. Louisiana will beginits 2011 session in April, and so far, nobills dealing with dog issues have beenfiled.

In 2010, Carpenter said EBA donated$5,000 toward a lobbyist hired by CajunCountry Dog Club. The Cajun Countrymatched that amount with $5,000, and thelobbyist was able to kill a bill whichwould have required $100,000 liabilityinsurance by owners of American Pit BullTerriers. He also gained an amendment toa tethering bill which would have limiteddogs to three hours on tether, to “no ani-mal shall be treated inhumanely whiletethered.”

The board approved an expenditure of$5,000 for a lobbyist in Oklahoma tofight the proposed legislation of allowingcities to write BSL; and to make atten-dance at a dog fight a felony. The expen-diture was granted with the hopes thatOklahoma owners will step up to the

Memberships expire Dec. 31 unless multi-years are paid.

THE ENDANGERED BREEDS ASSOCIATION

NUMBER 91 • APRIL 2011

EBA board meets in Las Vegas

January 1, 2011, has come andpassed — and if you have not renewedyour EBA membership, please do so.

Check the expiration date on yourmail label. It is the last line of the labeland will note: “1-2011” or “1-2012” —whatever is the year of your expiration.You also can look at your membershipcard.

We know the economy has beenhard on all of us, but memberships anddonations are the life-blood of yourorganization.

Renewing is simple. You can send acheck or money order to EndangeredBreeds Association, Rt. 1, Box 71,Gore, OK 74435; or you can go to ourwebsite www.endangeredbreedsassoci-ation.org and renew there with Pay Pal.If you choose Pay Pal, please note“membership renewal” in the purposearea of your transaction.

Thank you for your support.

If you don't already receive yourBulldog Banter newsletter via email,won’t you consider taking it that way?It saves EBA funds in printing andpostage costs.

To begin receiving your newslettervia email, please send your emailaddress to: [email protected]

It’s time to renewmemberships

Help EBA save $$$

See BOARD on Page 2

APRIL 2011 PAGE 2

ELECTRONIC DIRECTORY

Endangered BreedsAssociation

www.endangeredbreedsassociation.org

American Kennel Clubwww.akc.org

www.animallaw.comwww.responsiblepetowners.org

American Dog BreedersAssociationwww.adba.cc

National Animal InterestAlliance

www.naiaonline.org

BULLDOGBANTER

Joan Morrison,Editor

Route 1, Box 71Gore, OK 74435The Bulldog Banter wel-

comes articles, news clip-pings, letters and othercomments from its readers.The editor reserves theright to edit submissions asneeded. All letters for publi-cation must be signed.

Material in the BulldogBanter may be reproduced,but please credit theBulldog Banter as thesource.

To subscribe to theBulldog Banter, please seethe EBA Membership appli-cation on the back page.

WE WANT TO MEETYOUR PET!

E-mail your photo-graph to [email protected] are printedas space allows. Includeyour name, your pet’sname and the town whereyou live. NO SALES.

Endangered Breeds Association conducted itsannual fund-raising auction March 5 duringthe evening social of the American DogBreeders Association 2011 convention in LasVegas, NV.

We had many, many wonderful items donatedfor the auction. Gary Hammonds of Texasagain served as our auctioneer. And a “first”occurred during the auction: a proposal ofmarriage. ADBA conformation judge StoneyGreen proposed to Rita Bond. Both are fromNorth Carolina. She said yes.

The auction brought in $2,678.25 and we

thank those who made donations, including:Alice Santillan, Sam Villani, Jean Carpenter,Gary and Linda Emmert, Kim Krohn, JudithBrecka, Joel Halverson, Gary Hammonds,Doris Hutson, Molly Gibb, Ron and RubyWolfe, Jodi Hangar, Brandon Perez, CajunCountry Dog Club, Sharon Terrell, LucretiaAshcraft, Jennifer and Richard Lett, andCalvin and Joan Morrison.

The bidding was fast, furious and fun withseveral “bidding wars” taking place.

And ADBA, once again, provided food anddrink for the occasion.

Endangered Breeds Association would liketo recognize individuals and groups who madedonations during 2010. Without these gener-ous efforts, our work would not be possible.

Sherry YoungJean CarpenterRenee GreenwoodJoe & Lucretia AshcraftCalvin & Joan MorrisonHarry GeorgeLaura DapkusJena McFall

Mike & Sharon SundyFrancisco LirianoJohn & Denise BoosMagnolia State Pit Bull ClubEd & Jeanne HinkleAmerican Dog Breeders Association“Pass the Hat” donations collected at the

Lone Star State Pit Bull Club Carol WilliamsonLinda CareyJamie & Whitney Alexander“Pass the Hat” donations collected at the

2010 Nationals in Oklahoma

plate and donate to help repay the funds spentfor the lobbyist.

The board also approved the purchase of anew copy machine to make packets for newmembers and create letters to be sent to cities,towns and state legislators; and discussedchanging the EBA ad in the ADBA Gazette;urging clubs to donate the $1 per dog checkoffto EBA; a local issue in Terrebonne Parish ofLouisiana which would deem APBT and other

breeds as vicious, and require a mandatory$100,000 liability insurance policy; a similarissue in St. Mary Parish, LA, which hasresulted in several dogs being euthanized;Illinois and an attempt to remove languageagainst BSL from its state law; a proposal inVan, TX that would enact BSL and affect dogsweighing more than 40 pounds; and a case inGeorgia in which an individual is filing acivil case against the Humane Society of theUnited States.

Board

EBA auction a success

Thanks to our donors in 2010

Continued from Page 1

APRIL 2011 PAGE 3

Kim Krohn, PresidentBlue Springs, MO

[email protected]

Tom Lundberg,Vice President

Fruitvale, TX214-662-1971

[email protected]

Doris Hutson, SecretaryWalker, LA

[email protected]

Joan Morrison, TreasurerGore, OK

918-487-5798morrisons@

mynewroads.com

Jean CarpenterAlbany, LA

[email protected]

Russ KrohnBlue Springs, MO

[email protected]

JoAnn LeBlancDayton, TX

[email protected]

Linda EmmertSeneca, MO

[email protected]

Judith BreckaSanta Monica, CA

[email protected]

Hank Greenwood, ADBA Rep./Advisor

Salt Lake City, [email protected]

EBA BOARD

Endangered Breeds Association has spent thefollowing monies this year for legal/legislativeissues:

Missouri $200.00Ohio $769.71Oklahoma $5,000.00Texas $500.00Louisiana $5,000.00TOTAL $11,469.71

The Missouri funds were sent to MissouriFederation of Animal Owners which lobbiedagainst the state’s Proposition B (breeder bill).

The Ohio funds were sent to the OhioCoalition of Dog Advocates which is workingon the state law. Work continues in Ohio toremove the BSL language from the state's dan-gerous dog law.

The Oklahoma funds were spent on lobby-ist Michael Maxwell to stop Rep. PaulWesselhoff’s attempt to establish BSL in

Oklahoma. Work continues in Oklahoma asWesselhoff's final term will end 12-31-16. Thenewest legislator (from Wesselhoff's district)just began his term 1-1-11, and has introduceda proposal to allow cities and towns to enactBSL.

Louisiana funds were spent on a lobbyistwho was able to stop several pieces of legisla-tion aimed at dog ownership.

Texas funds were spent on an attorney whorepresented a veteran whose pit bull was takenfrom him after a neighbor alleged (two monthslater) that the dog had bitten him. The dog wasreturned to its owner.

In addition, we spent $1,160 on expensessetting up EBA information booths at severaldog shows and at the ADBA Nationals, advis-ing owners of pending legislation in variousstates.

TOTAL LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE EXPENSES $12,629.71

START BALANCE (1-1-10) $20,373.54INCOME $ 8,792.32BALANCE $29,165.86

EXPENSES $16,616.44BALANCE 12-31-10 $12,549.44VALUE OF CD $50,652.27

2010 legal/legislative expenses

EBA FINANCIAL REPORT 2009

Kirk Hutson ofWalker, LA withGeneral Lee, afterpulling in the Aceclass at the recentCajunCountry/TrinityValley Dog Show.They won secondplace and pulled 91times the dog'sbody weight.Hutson is the son ofKeith and DorisHutson.

Pet corner

APRIL 2011 PAGE 4

In 2007, animal control officers inMidwest City, OK attempted to take twoBull Terriers owned by Jerry and CarolStuckey, claiming the dogs were danger-ous by breed. The city maintained any ofthe "bully" breeds were dangerous andtherefore had banned them from theirtown.

This was in direct conflict with thestate's dangerous dog law which prohibitscities and towns from writing or enforcingbreed specific legislation and ordinances.

The Stufkeys sued and their attorney,R. Scott Adams, of Oklahoma City, wassuccessful in the municipal court and statecourt, with both courts ruling the cityviolated the state law.

Midwest City appealed to the StateSupreme Court, which ruled March 7,2011, that the issue of whether or notcities and towns in Oklahoma could writeBSL had been well settled in the courtbefore, and the appeal was denied.

And it had. The state court of civil

appeals had ruled in favor of the state lawtwice before on cases from OklahomaCity and Del City.

As EBA Board Member Judith Brecka,and attorney, explained, "in order for asupreme court of a state or the UnitedStates to take a case, they have to grantcertiorari.

"The court ruled in denying the writ ofcertiorari, that the state law on this issueis well settled and it would be a waste ofthe court's time to hear the case."

Oklahoma’s dangerous dog lawupheld 3rd time in state high court

By Diane Herbst

A male Chihuahua's tenacity in guard-ing his beloved pit bull girlfriend helpedsave their lives. Now, the couple is insep-arable.

Sometimes even an abandoned, injureddog with a bad rap ends up doing greatthings. And so it was with a female pitbull, being guarded by her belovedboyfriend, a Chihuahua.

What the Pennsylvania dog wardendid not realize when he rescued the pair onLabor Day, was just what a sweet storythese two dogs had to tell. Once the pitbull got into a crate on the warden'struck, the Chihuahua would not follow.Instead, he put himself between the two,barking and growling at the warden.

The warden would not follow hisusual routine when finding a pit bull —to take the dog to a facility that couldeuthanize her within 48 hours. "Due tothis little guy's tenacity and I do believetrue affection for his Pit Bull lady," thewarden writes, "I was not going to let

that happen." Cute couples, it turns out,melt hearts.

The warden found them safe haven atthe no-kill Washington Area HumaneSociety. He asked the staff, could theyplease find room in their already overflow-ing no-kill shelter for just two moredogs?

"We truly didn't have room but wecould not let them go," says AliceWancowicz, assistant manager of the shel-ter in Eighty Four, PA. "They stayed inthe bathroom for two days until we couldget a run open."

And so, the staff embraced the pair,naming them Bonnie and Clyde.

The dog warden writes that we need tochange our opinions of pit bulls: "Youmay find a loving, loyal and dedicatedcompanion to fight for like ourChihuahua friend did. Perhaps this storywill give you a second chance to revisityour thoughts and opinions concerningPit Bulls. They deserve the opportunity toovercome a stereotype that can most cer-tainly lead them to death."

The oddest couple in the world

APRIL 2011 PAGE 5

Around the nation:Legislation that affects you

Forty-three state legislatures and theDistrict of Columbia are currently in session.For the latest information on state and feder-al bills, you should visit your state's legisla-tive web page or contact your elected offi-cials.

COLORADO – Senate Bill 11-009 soughtto make significant changes to the impound-ment laws and the ability of owners to gettheir animals back if they are seized during acruelty investigation. This included changingthe hearing from civil to criminal court andrequiring that the person charged with crueltycontinually pay for the costs of caring fordogs seized. The bill passed the Senate, butwas pulled by a sponsor in the HouseAgriculture Committee.

FLORIDA – House Bill 359 and its com-panion, Senate Bill 676 will require that localgovernments add a $15 surcharge to everycitation for an animal control offense or ani-mal cruelty offense. Fees will be used for thetraining of animal control officers and to fundvoluntary spay/neuter services. HB 359 hasbeen referred to the House Subcommitteeson Agriculture and Natural Resources,Community and Military Affairs and theHouse Committee on State Affairs. SB 676has been referred to the Senate Committeeson Community Affairs, Judiciary and Budget.

GEORGIA – House Bill 148 would cre-ate broad definitions for “dangerous” and“vicious” dogs with requirements for exten-sive enclosure engineering standards,mandatory sterilization, liability insurance andother provisions. This bill has been assignedto the House Judiciary Committee. AKC GRand the Georgia Canine Coalition are moni-toring this bill.

HAWAII – House Bill 1621/Senate Bill1522 seek to impose ownership limits of 50dogs over the age of 6 months and requireslicensing for anyone who sells 25 or more

puppies per year or owns 20 intact femaledogs or 30 intact dogs of either sex over theage of 6 months. HB1621 has beenapproved by one House committee andreferred to a second. SB1522 has passed theSenate and has been referred to three Housecommittees.

ILLINOIS – House Bill 1080 wouldremove the state ban on breed-specific legis-lation. This would allow the state to classifyspecific breeds as “vicious” and allow munici-palities to pass breed-specific laws. This billhas been scheduled for several hearings inthe House Agriculture & ConservationCommittee, but so far they have all beenpostponed.

MARYLAND – House Bill 940/Senate Bill839 would create a licensing program for allwho own or have custody of 10 or moreunspayed dogs over the age of six monthsand intend to breed any of the dogs and sellany offspring. The bill would also allow coun-ties to establish additional kennel licensefees to cover administration costs associatedwith the licensing program and allow them toenact more stringent kennel licensing laws.HB 940 has passed the House and is pend-ing in the Senate Education, Health &Environmental Affairs Committee. SB 839passed the Senate Education, Health &Environment Committee.

MISSISSIPPI – Senate Bill 2821, asamended by the House, establishes theoffense of felony animal cruelty against catsand dogs. There is no exemption from sterili-zation for an owned dog that accidentallyescapes its enclosure or for dogs owned by aperson found not guilty of civil or criminalcharges. The bill will now go to a joint confer-ence committee.

MISSOURI – House Joint Resolution 17would place a measure on the November2012 ballot to protect animal owners from

undue economic burdens and regulations. Itfurther requires that any laws governing,among other issues, the welfare of any ani-mal must be based on “generally acceptedscientific principles” and enacted by eitherthe General Assembly or a state departmentor agency.

Senate Bill 95/Senate Bill 113(Committee substitute amendment) arepieces of legislation introduced to modify orrepeal Proposition B, which passed on theballot in November 2010. A combination ofSenate Bills 113 and 95 makes severalchanges to the new law, including removingthe 50-dog ownership limit and the restric-tions on breeding ages (the bill now statesthat female dogs may not be bred more thanwhat is recommended by a veterinarian).This bill has passed the Senate and isscheduled for hearing in the HouseAgriculture Policy Committee on March 29.

House Bill 131 seeks to modifyProposition B by, among other changes,removing the term “puppy mill,” dog owner-ship limits, and numeric restrictions on litters.The bill allows for action to be taken againstthose who have past violations of breederregulations that have not been addressed orcorrected, and creates the crime of neglectfor repeated violations. HB 131 also removesexemptions for hobby breeders, shelters andretail pet stores. The bill passed theAgriculture Policy Committee and is nowpending on the House Floor.

MONTANA – House Bill 390 and HouseBill 515, which sought to regulate and limitdog breeders, were tabled in committee.

NEBRASKA – Legislative Bill 427 seeksto further regulate “commercial dog breed-ers,” which is defined in current law as any-one "engaged in the business of breedingdogs" and owns or harbors four or more

See LEGISLATION on Page 6

APRIL 2011 PAGE 6

intact dogs or cats, sells at least 31 dogs andcats per year, owns dogs/cats that producefour or more litters per year, or who knowing-ly sells or leases dogs/cats for later retailsale or brokered trade. Due to this lowthreshold in current law, LB 427 wouldrequire anyone who owns four intact dogs ofany age to comply with strict engineeringstandards and breeder restrictions, includingbuilding an exercise area that is 10 times thesize of the primary enclosure. The AgricultureCommittee conducted a public hearing of thebill on February 8, but no action was taken.

NEW JERSEY – Assembly Bill3559/Senate Bill 1506 would prohibit insur-ance companies from denying homeownercoverage based on their ownership of a spe-cific breed of dog. The bills do permit a com-pany, however, to include a clause excludingliability coverage for a dog or specific breed.A. 3559 has been assigned to the AssemblyFinancial Institutions & Insurance Committee.S.1506 was referred to Senate Commerce.

NEW YORK – Assembly Bill 78 -Currently New York law defines “pet dealer”as anyone who sells or offers to sell nine ormore dogs each year. This bill seeks tochange the definition to a person who meetsany of the following criteria: Anyone who sellsor offers for sale nine or more dogs per yearthat were raised somewhere other than theirpremises, owns at least six intact femaledogs or cats at least 6 months of age andsells or offers to sell any offspring, or anyonewho sells at least 10 dogs in a calendar year.The bill also removes the current exemptionfor anyone who sells fewer that 25 dogs ayear directly to the consumer. It has beenreferred to the Assembly AgricultureCommittee.

Senate Bill 1310 directs the StateDepartment of Health to oversee dog licens-ing for cities with populations of over 2 millionpeople. Among other provisions, it requires ahigher licensing fee for intact dogs than foraltered dogs and mandatory sterilization forany dog that is impounded, even if the dog isreclaimed by its owner. This bill has beenassigned to the Senate Agriculture

Committee.

Senate Bill 1710 prohibits insurance com-panies from denying coverage or increasingpremiums based on a specific dog breed. Itdoes allow the insurer to deny coverage orincrease premiums if the dog has been clas-sified as “dangerous,” based on the currentdefinition in statute. However, prior to deny-ing coverage or increasing the premium, theowner of the dangerous dog must be permit-ted to successfully complete an obediencecourse, which would then waive the ownerfrom this provision.

OHIO – House Bill 14 seeks to removethe term “pit bull” from the state’s definition of“vicious dog.” The term “pit bull” is notdefined in current law, but owners of dogsconsidered to be of this breed must complywith numerous requirements. In 2010, thislanguage was added into another bill andpassed the House of Representatives. Thesession adjourned before it could be heard inthe Senate. The Ohio House Criminal JusticeCommittee has held several hearings on thisbill.

OKLAHOMA – Senate Bill 773 seeks tomake numerous amendments to the com-mercial pet breeders laws. Among other pro-visions, the committee amendment wouldexempt all those who breed hunting, sportingand working dogs and require that any rulesestablished by the Commercial Pet BreedersBoard be first approved by the stateDepartment of Agriculture, Food & Forestry.The requirements for annual inspections areremoved and replaced with inspections onreceipt of a written complaint. These com-plaints may be made against breeders, ani-mal shelters, or rescues that have contractswith local municipalities. The amendment hasbeen approved by the House Agriculture &Rural Development Committee and now goesto the Appropriations Committee.

OREGON – House Bill 2712 will establishminimum fines for specific violations.Specifically, being cited for an at-large dog,an unlicensed dog, a dog that is deemed anuisance, or for keeping a dog which hasharmed livestock would be categorized as aClass B violation with a minimum fine of

$260. HB 2712 has been assigned to theHouse Judiciary Committee.

House Bill 2724 will create the crime ofanimal endangerment, defined as leaving adog or cat in a car when the weather is adanger to the animal’s health. HB 2724 willallow law enforcement officers to remove theanimal and to cite the owner for a Class Btraffic violation. HB 2724 has been referred tothe House Judiciary Committee.

House Concurrent Resolution 12 recog-nizes the AKC Canine Good Citizenship pro-gram, encourages owners to train their dogsand urges kennel clubs to provide trainingprograms in their communities. The measureis in the House Rules Committee.

House Bill 3047 will expand the definitionof “farm use” to include land used for the pur-pose of breeding, raising, kenneling, showingor training dogs for racing or other canineskills including, agility, obedience, tracking,lure coursing and herding. The measure willbe heard in the House Agriculture andNatural Resources Committee on March28th.

PENNSYLVANIA – House Resolution 89recognizes the impact breeders have on theCommonwealth’s economy and the signifi-cant resources they invest in their kennelsand their dogs. It also seeks a governmentstudy on the economic impact of the 2008dog laws and subsequent regulations. Thebill is pending action on the House floor.

Rhode Island – Senate Bill 140 wouldmake it a violation of the animal crueltystatute to keep any dog “outside, tethered,penned, caged or otherwise confined” formore than one hour without access to an out-door housing facility, unless the person car-ing for the dog also remains outside. As cur-rently written, this could mean that someoneallowing their dog to play in a fenced-in back-yard for an hour must have an outdoor facilityavailable, unless they remain outside with thedog. The Senate Environment andAgriculture Committee held this bill for furtherstudy.

TEXAS – House Bill 1451 will define any-

LegislationContinued from Page 5

See LEGISLATION on Page 7

APRIL 2011 PAGE 7

one who owns 11 or more intact female ani-mals (dogs or cats) and is “engaged in thebreeding and sale of animals for a profit” as acommercial breeder. Among other require-ments, the newly-defined “commercial breed-ers” will be regulated by the Commission ofLicensing and Regulation, be required toundergo criminal background checks andallow an annual inspection of their property.The House Committee on Licensing andAdministrative Procedures held a hearing onMarch 15 but did not vote on the bill'

House Bill 323/Senate Bill 279 will pro-hibit the removal of a pet, companion orassistance animal from the possession of aperson named in a protective order. This billwill also make it a crime to harm, threaten, orinterfere with the care, custody, or control ofa pet, companion animal, or assistance ani-mal owned by a person named in a protec-tive order. HB 323 has been referred to theHouse Committee on Judiciary and CivilJurisprudence. SB 279 has been referred tothe Senate Committee on Criminal Justice.

House Bill 998 will require the owner ofany unneutered male dog over 20 lbs that isever off the premises of the owner off-lead topurchase $100,000 per occurrence in liabilityinsurance to cover instances of propertydamages, bodily injury or death. The meas-ure has been referred to the HouseCommittee on Judiciary and CivilJurisprudence.

House Bill 2116 will define anyone whoowns 11 or more intact female animals (dogsor cats) and is engaged in the breeding andsale of animals for a profit as a commercialbreeder. Under this measure, regulations forproper feeding, watering, housing, care, vet-erinary care, grooming, treatment, transporta-tion and disposition of dogs would be draftedand enforced by the Texas Health andHuman Services Commission. The bill alsorestricts tethering and outdoor confinement ofdogs. The bill has been referred to the HouseCommittee on County Affairs.

House Bill 2833 will define “workingdogs” as those that are used in law enforce-ment, agricultural activities, hunting, serviceor therapy and will exempt these animalsfrom compliance with mandatory spay/neuter

provisions, limits on the number, weight orbreed of animals a person may own, speci-fied housing requirements or requirementsfor additional insurance.

House Bill 3044 will allow county com-missioners to prohibit the sale of dogs andcats on a public highway or road, in the right-of-way of a public highway or road, or in aparking lot.

Senate Bill 1500 will allow owners of apet to sue for noneconomic damages in cer-tain cases. Damages would be at least $500,but not more than $5000.

Senate Bill 1517 will require any dogadopted out or returned to an owner by areleasing agency be sterilized unless speci-fied conditions are met. The bill will requirethat owners of dogs and cats that are notsterilized obtain a $50 intact animal permit foreach intact animal.

UTAH – House Bill 124 places numerousrequirements on “commercial breeders,”defined as anyone who owns six or moredogs “for breeding” and sells or provides theoffspring of the dog to another person.Commercial breeders may not sell or solicitthe sale of a dog unless the commercialbreeder has a valid breeder license, businesslicense, and land use approval from the LandUse Authority. The bill failed in the HouseRevenue and Taxation Committee, but thesponsor is expected to bring the bill up againfor consideration.

VERMONT – House Bill 303 wouldchange numerous licensing and tax require-ments for those who sell dogs. It would alsorequire inspections of all “pet merchants,”defined as someone who engages in the saleof one or more litters per year or the sale oftwo or more animals over six months of agewithin a year. Anyone who owns two or moreintact “domestic pets” must obtain a $25annual license, which must be prominentlydisplayed on the owner’s premises.

WASHINGTON – House Bill 1226/SenateBill 5151 will establish the companion animalsafety, population control, and spay/neuterassistance program to provide for spayingand neutering of feral cats and companionanimals owned by low-income individuals.The revenue will come from a $50 per ton

fee on producers of pet food. HB 1226 hasbeen assigned to the House Early Learningand Human Services Committee. SB 5151has been assigned to the Senate Committeeon Government Operations, Tribal Relationsand Elections.

House Bill 1727 will replace “service dog”with the federal definition of service animal.The bill has been assigned to the HouseJudiciary Committee.

House Bill 1755 will institute statewiderestrictions on tethering including prohibitingtethering between 10pm and 6am, tetheringfor more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period or10 consecutive hours. HB 1755 beenassigned to the House Judiciary Committee.

Senate Bill 5649 which will institutestatewide restrictions on tethering, was initial-ly identical to HB 1755, but a substitute ver-sion has added exemptions for dogs underveterinary care, an arctic breed used for sleddog activities, participating temporarily in anexhibition, show, contest, or other event inwhich the skill, breeding, or stamina of thedog is judged or examined or being tem-porarily kept in specified circumstances. Thebill has passed the Judiciary Committee andis eligible to be voted on by the House.

WEST VIRGINIA – House Bill 2883 con-tained ownership limits and breeding restric-tions for “commercial dog breeders,” definedas any person who maintains 11 or moreunsterilized dogs over the age of one yearand is engaged in the business of breedinganimals for sale. HB 2883 passed the House,but was held in the Senate JudiciaryCommittee. This bill will likely be reintroducedin 2012.

WYOMING – The Wyoming Legislaturepassed a bill that creates the crime of“household pet animal cruelty.” As intro-duced, Senate File 100 sought to define“hoarding” and “puppy mills” by the numberof dogs owned, and other vague and arbi-trary terms. An amendment was approved bythe House of Representatives that deletedthe original language and instead defined“household pet animal cruelty” as anyonewho keeps household pets “in a manner thatresults in chronic or repeated physical harm”or “confined in conditions which constitute apublic health hazard.”

LegislationContinued from Page 6

ENDANGERED BREEDS ASSOCIATIONRoute 1, Box 71Gore, OK 74435

APRIL 2011 PAGE 8

(EBA) is a non-profit organizationfounded in 1980 for the purpose of pre-serving the American Pit Bull Terrier. Ourgoals are public education, media moni-toring, legislative lobbying, and legalintervention to protect responsible ownersfrom breed-specific legislation and unfairharassment by public officials or agen-

cies. We oppose animal abuse or anyillegal activities with animals. Membershipis $15-single and $20-family per year or$300-lifetime with members receivingthree newsletters a year. Canadian andoverseas members please send US dol-lars money orders only. All membershipsexpire Dec. 31 of each year.

ABOUT THE

ENDANGERED

BREEDS

ASSOCIATION

EBA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION(PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY!)

Name (s) OccupationAddress City State ZipPhone E-mailMembership type: New Renew Single Family Lifetime

Please make check or money order payable to the Endangered Breeds Association and mail to:Joan Morrison, Route 1, Box 71, Gore, OK 74435

Information packet included

By providing your e-mail address, you agree to receive your newsletter via e-mail.

Banter April 2011

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