Below is the standard AKC response to an objection on non-involvement in AB1634.....My hopes are than enough people contacted them so they at least took notice of their poor judgement.
Thank you for contacting the American Kennel Club regarding California Assembly Bill 1634.
As you know, CA AB 1634 was introduced in February 2007. Because of the concerted efforts of thousands of California purebred dog owners and multiple stakeholder groups the most egregious negative sections of AB 1634 have been removed from the bill.
Based on the latest amendments to AB 1634, the American Kennel Club has moved to a neutral position on the bill. A neutral position does not signify that AKC is in support of the bill or that we encourage legislators to vote in favor of the legislation. Individual legislators can weigh the need for the bill and the anticipated effectiveness of the bill and cast their vote accordingly.
We cannot continue to oppose the bill as the amended bill language addresses responsible dog ownership issues. The AKC has a long history of advocating for responsible dog ownership, including compliance with leash laws and license requirements. Allowing a dog to habitually roam at large is not responsible dog ownership. If jurisdictions have laws requiring licensing of dogs, AKC encourages dog owners to be compliant with local and state laws, we do not advocate that individuals knowingly disobey laws.
AKC does not support the bill because there rightfully remain questions about the need for the legislation and whether the bill, if enacted, would increase compliance with leash law and license requirements.
Again we thank all who have contacted us and we will be addressing some additional concerns in a Question and Answer web post later today. There are several incorrect assumptions or interpretations of the bill circulating and we want to clarify or correct those issues.
AKC Government Relations
919-816-3720
doglaw@akc.org
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From: Larken Labradors [mailto:labfan@gmavt.net]
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2008 8:39 PM
To: doglaw
Subject: Re: California AB1634
Good Evening,
I have just read a blog on a Labrador forum about California AB 1364 & checked the AKC site to confirm that it was true that AKC took a neutral stand after getting involved with the legislation. I am saddened an outraged that the AKC is not taking a stand on important dog legislation, which tells the average person YOU DON'T CARE. The other part is that this legislation is worded only for intact dogs and not ALL dogs. To the active dog-owner community this tells us you are more interested in protecting some of the assets of the organization than actually improving the lives of dogs, their owners and their neighbors. You have disappointed your own community. With the resources the animal rights extremists are using we sincerely hope this trend does not continue.
