And as the filing window slams down, we have anti-breeding bill #7 for
this year; an all-time record by about a factor of two (I believe) for
any state. We already had PAWS for Virginia (HB 538). This one is
California's AB 1634 for our state, that is, mandatory spay/neuter for
all dogs and cats sold except for those from 'good' breeders.
As usual for our state, plain text is existing law, italics are new
code, and strikethrough text is removed code.
Animal pounds, shelters, and rescue groups are already required to
sterilize animals when sold, either prior to sale or by contract with
the buyer for sterilization at a later time. This bill adds 'dealers'
to that list.
Failure to comply would allow the state veterinarian or a court to
void the sale. Both buyer and seller would be fined $150.
There are a number of specific requirements for the pet sales
contract.
The three kinds of 'good' breeders who would be exempt from the
mandatory spay/neuter requirement are defined as follows:
1. "'Breed improver' means a person who: (i) breeds working dogs, show
dogs, and hunting dogs or cats of specific breeds, not as a source of
income, but to perpetuate the breed or eliminate physical shortcomings
and disease, or who could otherwise demonstrate a conscious and
deliberate plan of breed improvement; and (iii) adheres to the
American Kennel Club's 22 responsible breeding steps, United Kennel
Club's breeders code of ethics, American Working Dog Federation's
constitution and bylaws, or a substantially similar code of ethics or
Cat Fanciers' Association breed standards."
2. "'Fancier breeder' means a person who: (i) regularly shows or
competes at competitions sanctioned by the American Kennel Club, the
United Kennel Club, the American Working Dog Federation and their
member clubs, or the Cat Fanciers' Association and their sanctioned
competitions, or similar organizations for rare breed dogs and cats;
and (ii) adheres to the American Kennel Club's 22 responsible breeding
steps, United Kennel Club's breeders code of ethics, American Working
Dog Federation's constitution and bylaws, or a substantially similar
code of ethics or Cat Fanciers' Association breed standards."
3. "'Hobby breeder' means a person who wishes to breed and then will
find homes for one litter, but not for profit."
Fraudulently claiming to be one of the above would get you a fine of
$1000.
This appears to be a VVAW job; it has their signature two-quart low
thinking and they filed the same bill last year. If it could work as
written, it would shift Virginia to importing a large fraction of its
dogs and cats. In the real world the result would be that a large
fraction of our pet owners and nearly all non-commercial breeders
would be in violation of the law.
The sponsor information is:
Delegate Robert D. Hull
Phone: (804) 698-1038
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelRHull@house.state.va.us
'Please WITHDRAW HB 1570' contacts would be appreciated. As usual, be
polite and professional.
