Staffordshire Terrier Club of America - Legislative Committee

Illinois Representative, John Fritchey, is sponsoring a state wide bill to regulate dog breeders in Illinois.  According to the bill, a “breeder” is anyone who owns three intact bitches – whether or not they’re actually being bred. Some highlights from the 45 page proposal include:

1. A mandatory 20 dog limit
2. Mandatory fingerprinting for all breeders
3. Annual, unannounced home inspections, at the breeder’s expense
4. Age limits on brood stock – 18 months to 8 years – male or female
5. Maintain facilities determined by state guidelines
6. File detailed financial reports with the state’s Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
7. Surrender & euthanasia of all animals for any discrepancies not corrected immediately

The STCA Legislative committee has begun work on this issue already, so stay tuned for further updates, and please contact us and let us know that you ‘d like to help. This is another bill that will require action on everyones’ part, whether or not you live in Illinois.

Montana legislator, Robyn Driscoll’s House Bill 191 would ban Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs as well as “any dog that has been registered at any time as a pit bull terrier or has the physical characteristics that substantially conform to the standards established for the breeds listed in this subsection by the American kennel club or the united kennel club.“  in the entire state of Montana.   If passed, the bill calls for the surrender and euthanization of all members of the above breeds, at the owner’s expense, within ten days.

The hearing on HB191 is scheduled for 3:00pm on 1/22/09.

The STCA Legislative committee has been in contact with local all breed clubs in Montana, as well as writing letters to Montana legislators in an effort to balk this proposed bill’s progress, and to protest the use of our breed standard in any type of breed specific legislation.   Please contact your regional representative for more information on what you can do to help, regardless of whether or not you live in Montana.