[yorkiekist]

Originally Posted by wildcard

I am in the middle of fighting anti-dog breeder legislation in Indiana and I thank you for the link to the website.

The bill we are fighting is ridiculous, but not even close to what is going on next door in Illinois. In Illinois the proposal would include all owners of 3 or more intact bitches (I believe over 4 mos of age but it might be 6 mos) to comply with rigid housing requirements, including building indoor/outdoor kennel facilities. Most of us who are serious hobby breeders of toy dogs in particular have 3 or more intact bitches whether we are growing them out, showing them or *whisper* breeding them. I know I do and I know my mentor who lives in Illinois does. My dogs live in my house, as pets, they are not kept in indoor outdoor kennels and there is no way I could afford to build a useless building just to comply with such a law. This bill is being pushed by the HSUS (who funny enough on its website purports to recommend only breeers who keep their dogs in their home) and similarly restrictive bills are being pushed in, I believe, 34 states. Breeders would have all of 6 mos to comply, then if they are investigated and come up short, they have 7 days to either turn their dogs over to animal control or have their own vet euthanize them. The bill is called the cutesy "Chloe's bill" after a dog "busted" from a puppy mill. Funny enough, if the mill got "busted" I guess there is ALREADY legislation in place to deal with mills... so why the need to pass something that is going to affect small hobby breeders?

What we need are strong leash laws to punish those who allow their dogs to roam and breed uncontrollably and we need strong cruelty laws to punish people who neglect or mistreat their pets-- whether they have 1 pet or 20 pets. Adding yet another layer of administrative licensing requirements is not necessary.

Before claiming how harmless the HSUS and PETA are it is probably a good idea to see what they are actually doing, not what they are saying they are doing.

Again, well said!