"It will destroy the rescue network in Indiana. While rescue groups are exempt, a person or organization that breeds dogs cannot qualify for this exemption."
The latest scam is puppy millers breeders who are claiming to have rescues. They find it harder to unload their dogs to pet stores so they have set up "rescues" and sell their pups for more than they did before. These dogs are seldom vet checked or neutered. I know many good breeders work with rescues, but if this bill stops dog breeders from getting this exception, I think that is great, and good breeders can still be "involved" with rescues they just can't run them, and qualify for the exemption.
"Anyone who sells five or more dogs to the public in a year will be classified as a pet dealer. Thus, in many cases, even having a single litter of puppies will require extensive record-keeping of all dogs sold and all veterinary records, and require the dog owner to make that information available to law enforcement officials and potential pet buyers. This provision also will allow animal rights activists to go on legal fishing expeditions by posing as puppy buyers."
What is wrong with the idea that people selling dogs should be required to keep extensive records and all veterinary records, and this information be available, to law enforcement officials and potential pet buyers? Don't good breeders do this now? So many breeders lie to potential customers, and this would allow the pet buyer access to important information. Sure even animal rights activists might pose as potential customers, but they do this now anyway.
"The definition of commercial dog breeder will entrap many serious hobbyists who are working hard to improve the breed of dogs they own. Anyone who produces 10 or more litters of puppies will fall under this category."
Ten litters of puppies is a lot of puppies, wouldn't a reasonable person think this qualities as commercial breeder? What is the number that good breeders think is more appropriate?
"It also will be illegal for anyone to possess more than 30 dogs that have not been spayed or neutered. Many serious breeders keep all of their retired dogs for the rest of their lives, and also are working with and evaluating several young dogs. Having 30 dogs does not indicate that a kennel is commercial"
Thirty unneutered dogs seem like a reasonable number to me, what is the number that you feel is reasonable?
Having 30 dogs does not indicate that a kennel is commercial. These breeders would be required to microchip all dogs and puppies, and to obtain veterinary certification before breeding a dog. The legislation also would create a strict puppy lemon law.
That would be great!
"Outdoor housing will be banned for these kennels, which is hazardous for dogs that are used for hunting, herding and other activities. The bill requires temperatures between 65 and 78 degrees at all times. Most human homes in Indiana could not meet that requirement! Working dogs do their jobs in all kinds of weather, and it is dangerous for them if they are not acclimated to the conditions they will face. It is cruel, absurd and reckless to pass a law that forces people to keep sled dogs, hunting dogs or herding dogs in a heated environment, when those dogs will face winter weather extremes."
This part of the law may need work, but some dogs do require these temperatures, for example yorkies, and remember this is where babies are born, they don't keep the puppies in the kennels for that long, and you could acclimate them to colder temperatures after they are 8 weeks or whatever the age is.
"And the legislation specifically allows municipalities to pass laws that are more strict or detailed than the state law. "
Now why would the law do this? Do you think so that it could target puppy mills?
The American Sporting Dog Alliance is urging every Indiana dog owner to immediately contact his or her representative, and as many other representatives as you can..
If you are getting any information from the
American Sporting Dog Alliance, read it with a huge grain of salt. They are a group made up of "hunters and farmers." "Farmers" are the biggest puppy mill operators, so of course they are going to hate any bill that has an impact on them. I hope good breeders and dog lovers get involved. We need to pass reasonable laws, and these seem close to being reasonable. So many good breeders say, "Puppy mills are the problem, if we could just shut those down", but you can't do that in America without a law permitting it. Yet, when a reasonable law comes up, you want to believe the propaganda put out by the puppy mill lobby.
Our Goals @ americansportingdogalliance.org