FW: AKC Legislative Alert: Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill Introd

A new Legislative Alert has been posted on the AKC's web site. To view this alert, please click on the following link, or cut and paste it into
your web browser: http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3412.

Canine Legislation Department
American Kennel Club
5580 Centerview Drive
Raleigh, NC 27606
(919) 816-3720
(919) 816-4275 FAX
Mandatory Spay/Neuter Bill Introduced in Virginia Print This Article [Monday, January 21, 2008] Delegate Robert Hull has introduced Virginia House Bill 1570, a bill which seeks to mandate the spaying/neutering of companion animals. If passed and signed into law, the changes imposed by this bill would be detrimental to responsible dog breeders and owners while having no impact on any pet population issues. It is imperative that breeders and concerned dog owners contact their Delegate and ask them to oppose this legislation.

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.

HB 1570 would:
Require every new owner of a dog or cat purchased from a Virginia dealer to have the animal spayed or neutered.


Require every Virginia dealer to either sell already-spayed or -neutered animals, or to sell animals pursuant to a spay/neuter agreement that, with little exception, would have to be enforced within 30 days of sale.


Define "breed improvers," "fancier breeders," and "hobby breeders," and exempt those who qualify as such from the provisions of the bill.


Provide civil fines for non-compliance ($150, plus costs) or for fraudulent claim of exemption (up to $1,000).
HB 1570 attempts to make an unnecessary statutory distinction between purebred dogs produced by certain breeders and purebred dogs produced by those classified as dealers. The AKC believes that all breeding programs should be undertaken responsibly for the purpose of preserving breed characteristics and producing healthy, well-socialized puppies. Responsible breeders are expected to give careful consideration to health issues, temperament, and genetic screening, as well as to the individual care and placement of puppies in responsible homes. The AKC supports these and other responsible breeding practices through breeders' education programs, and commends those who offer similar guidance. HB 1570 illogically attempts to punish many responsible breeders who adhere to these standards because of a simple statutory distinction. Additionally, HB 1570 fails to address pet population issues that derive from irresponsible dog breeders or dogs imported from outside of Virginia.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Virginia residents should express their vehement opposition of HB 1570 to their representative in the House of Delegates, and urge them to do the same.
For a list of Delegates' Capitol Offices addresses, go here. Please address your correspondence to:
Delegate ____________________
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, VA 23218
For a list of Delegates' telephone contacts, go here.


For a list of Delegates' e-mail addresses, go here.
For more information, please contact the AKC's Canine Legislation Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.

Please return to AKC.org regularly for the latest updates regarding Virginia HB 1570.

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