LEGISLATION REPORT

By Joan Tabor

Federal Legislation

The Puppy Protection Act, H.R. 3484, should still of great concern to hobby breeders.  The PPA would amend the Animal Welfare Act, by requiring the USDA to regulate the breeding practices of dog breeders, stipulating the age and frequency that a bitch may be used for breeding.  The Act would also retain the punitive “three strikes and you’re out” policy.

The AKC urges all fanciers to write or call their Representatives asking them not to co-sponsor H.R. 3484. The AKC has also sent letters to all members of the House of Representatives urging them not to cosponsor the bill.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Contact your U.S. Representative in Washington. Ask them not to sponsor H.R. 3484. To find out who represents you in the House, go to: http:// www.congress.org/. You may also phone the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and an operator will connect you directly with the House office you request.

New Jersey State Legislation

For complete information on New Jersey State Bills, go to: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us

The Board of Directors of the NJ Federation of Dog Clubs reviewed the following NJ State Bills.  Included with each bill is the position taken by the Board of Directors. 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

·     Write to your local Senator or Representative in the New Jersey State Legislature.  Tell them you support or oppose a particular bill.  Follow the format of the sample letters.  Be sure to identify the Bill by its number.  Include a brief sentence or two about what the bill proposes to do.  Then follow that by a short paragraph in which you state and explain your position.  Be polite.  Make sure that you identify yourself as their constituent.

·     Write to the members of the Committee to which the bill has been assigned.  In this case you are asking them to either recommend the Bill, in which case it will be sent before its respective legislative body, or to kill the Bill in committee.

·     Write to the Bill sponsor.  Use a similar format as the letter to your local Representative, only in this case you are writing either to ask them to reconsider their Bill because of certain defects, or to praise their Bill (be sure to tell them why it is important to you).

·     Call all of the above individuals and speak to one of their Legislative Assistants.  State your position on the Bill and why you feel that way.  The Assistant will be sure to take down your name, address and phone number.  While letter writing is often more effective, a huge telephone calling campaign can tie up an office.  Last year there were so many calls to one Assemblyman’s office on Breed Specific Legislation that the Assemblyman withdrew his Bill.

·     Remember that any one thing you do is better than nothing at all. 

SAMPLE LETTERS 

LETTER OF OPPOSITION TO A BILL

Your name
Address
City, State ZIP

Date

Dear Assemblyman _______________:

I am writing you to request your opposition to New Jersey Assembly Bill No. 382 which would authorize municipalities to require a special additional dog license for unsterilized dogs.

As a responsible dog owner and hobby breeder, I feel this bill unfairly imposes additional fees and restrictions upon the dog fancy.  Owners of intact dogs already pay the state mandated fee for unsterilized dogs.  Since many breeders, like myself, are only occasional breeders, it can take several years to determine that a particular dog is worthy of breeding.  Part of that determination is made after being able to appraise the results of many expensive veterinary tests.  Breeding dog licenses may have the unintended effect of causing some breeders to skimp on testing, thus breeding dogs of poorer quality.

As your constituent, I am asking you to oppose this bill.

Thank you in advance for your opposition to this bill.

Sincerely,

John Doe

 *************************************

LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR A BILL

Your name
Address
City, State ZIP

Date

Dear Assemblyman   ______________:

I am writing you to request your support of New Jersey Assembly Bill No. 1135. 

I believe that it is wrong to be declined homeowners insurance or to be limited in the amount of insurance coverage based solely on the specific breed of dog harbored on the insured property.  Dogs do not deserve to be “profiled” as being bad dogs just because they happen to be of a particular breed. Homeowners should not be put in the situation of having to give up their dog because they can’t secure homeowners insurance.

As a dog owner, the passage of this bill is very important to me.  I can’t imagine being put in the situation where I would have to give up my beloved pet because of the inability to secure homeowners insurance for my home.

As your constituent, I request your support for this bill.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

John Doe

NEW JERSEY MUNICIPAL LEGISLATION

If you wish the Federation’s assistance at municipal hearings we must have sufficient notice and a copy of the local ordinance you oppose.

OTHER NEWS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

We are currently in the process of putting together a program for member clubs.  To schedule a program on “What member clubs can do to influence the outcome of legislation”, call or e-mail Joan Tabor, 973-746-5986 or taborgsp@bellatlantic.net  We anticipate this program will be ready by May.