November 2005

REPORT OF THE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
 

Earlier this year Senator Santorum of Pennsylvania introduced S1139, also known in the dog community as PAWS.  It would bring certain individuals under the jurisdiction of the federal USDA.   Those individuals would need to register with USDA and they would then be subject to inspection.

Per the original language of the bill, the individuals open to this jurisdiction are those who breed more than 7 litters of puppies or sell more than 25 dogs in a year.   These are the same individuals who the AKC  considers as ‘high-volume breeder’ and who are subject to inspection by the  AKC.

The AKC has worked with Senator Santorum and helped in a re-draft of the bill.   With the recent changes any one of the following will exempt hobby breeders from this federal legislation

·          Anyone who breeds six litters or less annually

·          Anyone who sells at retail 25 dogs or less annually

·          Anyone who breeds or sells more than those thresholds if they are inspected by a non-profit organization that receives federal approval, such as AKC.

·          Shelter and rescue organizations and individuals who do not import for resale or operate for profit.

In addition, it eliminates any reference in PAWS to hunting and security dogs.  Persons who sell hunting dogs will be treated exactly the same as persons who sell dogs as pets.

To quote from an AKC FAQ sheet: “The legislation actually strengthens protections for responsible hobby breeders by exempting them from federal regulation as a point of law. Currently, hobby breeders are exempt only due to USDA's classification of them as a "retail pet store" (regardless of whether they breed and sell dogs as pets or for hunting and security purposes). USDA has the discretion to change that classification at any time. However, if PAWS is enacted the exemption will be put into statute and will not be open to any agency interpretation. Furthermore, that statute could be changed only by a new Congressional enactment, something that is very difficult to accomplish.”

New Jersey State Legislation

A3219 Animal Sterilization Bill (Identical bill to S2873

Sponsored by Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, Legislative District 14

S2873  Animal Sterilization Bill (Identical bill to A3219)

Sponsored by SenatorNicholas Asselta, Legislative District 1

The New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs has provided Assemblywoman Greenstein with our recommendations in writing regarding the proposed bill.  We are now waiting to hear what revisions have been suggested by other groups and then hope to come to some compromise.   We will follow-up with Senator Asselta to provide him with the same recommendations as given to Assemblywoman Greenstein.

We have suggested to remedy the first part of the bill concerning the impounding of dogs and cats with a three strikes and you’re out policy. This would replace the opt out language that is currently in the bill in order to permit breeders to reclaim their cats and dogs intact.  The current language is fraught with errors and would be impossible to interpret or enforce. We believe that allowing some people to retrieve their pets intact while others must have their pets sterilized before they can be reclaimed is unjust.  Our language would allow all pet owners the opportunity to reclaim their pet without having to have it sterilized.  It would put into effect mandatory micro chipping of any cat or dog reclaimed from an animal shelter (at owner cost). It would allow micro chipped, registered and licensed pets to be reclaimed, free, if a first offense. If a dog or cat is impounded a second time, there would be a higher fine, with a third impoundment resulting in mandatory sterilization and a high fine.

Our position with respect to the rest of the bill is that we want mandatory cat licensing before we can consider further increases.

For anyone wishing to let his/her position be known on A3219 or S2873, contact:

S2745  Animal Sterilization Bill

Sponsored by Senator Stephen Sweeney, Legislative District 13

This bill is very similar to A3219, noted above.    It was introduced September 26, 2005 and referred tp the Senate Economic Growth Committee.    The New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs will follow-up with Senator Sweeney and provide him with the same recommendations as given to Assemblywoman Greenstein.

For anyone wishing to let his/her position be known on S2745, contact

Senator Stephen Sweeney
Kingsway Commons
935 Kings Highway
Thorofare, NJ  08086
856-251-9801
SenSweeney@njleg.org

A4425  Dog Trainer’s Act

Sponsored byAssemblyman Brian Rumpf, Legislative District 9

This bill was introduced November 10, 2005 and referred to the Regulated Professional and Independent Authorities Committees.    It would require licensing of persons engaged in the practice of dog training, defined as “the handling or training of dogs for which a fee is charged.”   The New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs will follow-up with Assemblyman Rumpf.

For anyone wishing to let his/her position be known on A4425, contact:

Assemblyman Brian Rumpf
620 West Lacy Road
Forked River, NJ 08731
609-693-6700
AsmRumpf@njleg.org

Local Ordinances

Bridgeton Township

The Bridgeton City Council has passed an ordinance to enact a $100 license for an unneutered/unspayed dog/cat and to limit a household to 4 animals.  The reason for the bill was the city’s feral dog & cat problem.  We had tried to acquire some statistics to show that he proposed ordinance would not solve the problem, but had been unable to do so.   Those who currently have more than the limit will be exempted from this part of the ordinance for 10 years.  

The one success here was that they withdrew the use of the term guardian.

Washington Township in Gloucester County

It was reported that Township officials are considering pet limits.  The reason for the bill is a response to a resident complaining about a neighbor allegedly boarding animals.   Several township residents have tried unsuccessfully to talk to officials.   The situation is being monitored.