Staffordshire Terrier Club of America - Legislative Committee

Bill Name: A7218
State: New York
Date of Proposal: 4/7/2009
STCA Legislative Contact: Peggy Doster

A bill recently proposed in New York seeks to implement a statewide ban on the docking of tails. Specifically, A7218 would:

• Make all instances of tail docking unlawful, except those deemed necessary by a duly-licensed veterinarian to protect the life or health of the dog.
• Make anyone exhibiting a dog with a docked tail subject to a misdemeanor charge, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
• Allow any New York animal rights organization to sue a violator for declaratory judgment, via a private right of action, to obtain redress for a violation.

STCA Legislative Liaison, Peggy Doster, has spoken at all breed club meetings about this bill, and is working hard with other New York dog breeders to prevent the passage of this bill, which would impact over 50 breeds of dogs currently shown in the state of New York.

Please contact Peggy to find out how you can help.

Bill Name: HB/SB 460
State: North Carolina
Date of Proposal: 3/05/09
STCA Legislative Contacts: Kristin Tresidder & Al Bincarousky

House Bill 460 was recently proposed in North Carolina by Representative Maggie Jeffus of Greensboro and Representative Margaret Highsmith Dickson of Fayetteville, and its companion bill, Senate Bill 460, was sponsored by Senators Don Davis of Snow Hill and Senator Don Vaughan of Greensboro.  The goal of these bills is to implement restrictions on ‘commercial breeders.’  The bill defines a commercial breeder as “any person who, during any 12-month period, maintains 15 or more adult female dogs for the primary purpose of the sale of their offspring as companion animals.”

Some of the proposed restrictions include:

• Mandatory annual licensing at a cost of $50.
• Age limits on breeding dogs
• Annual certification by a veterinarian that a dog can be bred
• Unannounced home inspections
• NC Board of Agriculture devised standards of care, including exercise, veterinary care, housing, and record-keeping

Those breeders found to be in violation of the imposed restrictions, or who declined a home inspection would find themselves subjected to fines and possible seizure and euthanasia of their dogs.

The legislative committee is currently drafting a letter to be sent to all sponsoring Representatives and Senators voicing our opposition to this proposal.

For more information on how you can help, please contact your STCA Regional Representative

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.