New Pet Dealer Bill, Companion to AB 11509, Introduced in NY Senate
[Wednesday, June 18, 2008]
New York State Senator Andrew J. Lanza of Staten Island has introduced
Senate Bill 8546, which seeks to dramatically change the state's "pet
dealer" laws by:
* Changing the definition of "pet dealer" to include anyone who
engages in the sale or offering for sale of animals for profit to the
public and keeps on their premises more than four intact female dogs six
months of age or older for the purpose of breeding. (This is in addition
to the already existing "pet dealer" classification threshold of those
who engage in the sale or offering for sale of more than nine animals
per year for profit to the public.)
* Removing the existing "hobby breeder" exception, which currently
provides that a breeder who sells directly to the consumer fewer than 25
animals per year born and raised on the breeder's residential premises
shall not be considered a pet dealer.
* Imposing record-keeping requirements.
* Mandating that all pet dealers allow their veterinarians to
release the health information of their dogs to the Commissioner of
Agriculture.
* Removing the existing lower-cost "hobby breeder" license fee.
* Adjusting the pet dealing license fee costs to a graduated system
based on previous year's sales.
Senate Bill 8546 is a companion to Assembly Bill 11509, which, after an
attempt to rush the controversial bill through the Assembly, was removed
from consideration after the strong expression of opposition from
concerned dog breeders and owners. (For more information on Assembly
Bill 11509, click here.)
The American Kennel Club opposes the concepts 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. Unfortunately, AB 8546
is contrary to AKC's position on legislation that seeks to impose
breeding restrictions, and must be respectfully yet strongly opposed.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
It is imperative that all concerned New York dog breeders and owners
contact Senator Lanza and their own state senator. Respectfully let them
know that you oppose the overbearing and unreasonable Senate Bill 8546.
Senator Andrew J. Lanza
947 LOB
Albany, NY 12247
(518) 455-3215
(518) 426-6852 FAX
lanza@senate.state.ny.us
To find your state senator's contact information, click here and enter
your zip code.
For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at
(919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
