Legislative Alert From AKC: CA AB 1634 Proceeds to the Sen

anne

Letters and email are needed to OPPOSE the current form of this bill. Even if you are not from California, you should still voice your opposition.

As we've seen, MSN has passed in Dallas, TX and we do not want a statewide bill to pass and set a precedent.

Thank you,
Linda Hartheimer
Legislative Liaison
Weimaraner Club of America
http://grayhartweimaraners.googlepages.com/

http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3545

(sample letter and contact info at link: Sue)

CA AB 1634 Proceeds to the Senate Appropriations Committee; Amendments
Still Needed!

[Wednesday, July 09, 2008]

The Senate Appropriations Committee will hear AB 1634 at 10am on Monday
July 14th in Room 4203 of the State Capitol. The American Kennel Club
has been working to amend the second section of the bill pertaining to
complaints, but our issues have not been addressed and we are therefore
asking the members of the Appropriations Committee to oppose the bill as
currently written when it comes before them on Monday.

Please mail or email letters of opposition to the Senate Appropriations
Committee members. Click here for a sample letter for California
residents to personalize. If your club wishes to author a letter a
sample can be found here. Jeff Leacox, our lobbyist in Sacramento, has
forwarded a letter to the committee on behalf of the AKC.

Note: The Senate Appropriations Committee analysis will NOT list support
and opposition, although arguments received are considered when the
analysis is written. The committee also does not accept support or
opposition letters via fax so the best thing to do is to get them in the
mail immediately to the address below.

We would also remind our constituents that Senator Dave Cox, the
Vice-Chair of the Appropriations Committee voted to oppose the bill in
the Local Government Committee. Please thank him for his support and ask
him to please continue to oppose AB 1634 in its current form.

Thank you for your willingness to work on this important issue. We will
continue to provide updates about AB 1634 as it moves through the
political process.

Contact Information for the Senate Appropriations Committee
Senate Appropriations Committee
ATTN: Mark McKenzie
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

Contact Information for Senate Appropriations Committee Members

GailB · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:07 am Post subject:

Ouch, so they want to be able to just go ahead and be able to sterilize the animals without owners consent? If I'm understanding that correctly I def. have a problem with that.

anne · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject:

This is so amazingly scary - and even scarier that the average pet owner is not quaking in their boots.

If this goes state wide in California, what is next?

Yes not only can they alter your dog without your permission - you have to pay for it.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1601-1650/ab_1634_bill_20080618_amended_sen_v91.html
This bill would "require the owner of a nonspayed or unneutered
dog or cat that is the subject of a complaint to a local animal
control agency, as specified, to be cited and pay a civil
penalty to the local animal control agency within 30 days"

And complaint means:
"an oral or written complaint to a local
animal control agency that alleges that the dog or the owner of the
dog has violated this division, any other provision of state law that
relates to dogs, or a local animal control ordinance. "Complaint"
also means the observation by an employee or officer of a local
animal control agency of behavior by a dog or the owner of a dog that
violates this division, any other provision of state law that
relates to dogs, or a local animal control ordinance. "Complaint"
shall not include an allegation of excessive noise or barking."

(emphasis is mine)

And if this passes it will be illegal to own an intact animal. Never mind that some feel that it's healthier for the dog to not be altered until after puberty.

The American Veterinary Medical Association says:
http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/pdfplus/10.2460/javma.231.11.1665
"Pets should be considered individually, with the
understanding that for these pets, population control
is a less important concern than is health of
each animal. Dogs and cats should be maintained
as household pets. Responsible owners should ensure
that their pets are provided appropriate and
regularly scheduled veterinary care."

DukesMom · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:29 pm Post subject:

Isn't it just amazing what our local agencies and governments are trying to control in our lives? Absolutely freakin amazing!

GailB · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:39 am Post subject:

I got thinking about this again last evening and this is just not right...I could submit something but I don't think a comment from Canada would pull much weight.. Sad