Just to be clear, my argument is not based on a hypothetical "slippery slope" argument. In Illinois, the initial regulation of breeding dogs involved breeders with more than 8 intact bitches (whether they were bred or not). A kennel license and inspection was required but the housing requirements were not so strict that a hobby breeder could not easily comply. That was later lowered to 6 intact bitches. The current legislation that is proposed involves 3 intact bitches (although I do believe they have discussed keeping the number at 6) but the kicker is that the housing requirements mean that anyone with more than 2 breedable bitches (and the bill says this means any intact bitch over 4 mos of age equals breedable even though it would not allow any breedings until the bitch is 18 mos) would be required to provide indoor/outdoor runs for their dogs of a particular size. Meaning if you had 3 intact bitches, regardless of whether they are actually bred or not, they have to housed in an enclosure where they have at will indoor/outdoor access (your backdoor to your fenced in yard is not good enough even if you are there all day long to let them in and out), and if I am remembering correctly they can't share runs.
Incrementalism is a reality, not something myself and others are conjuring up to scare people. Just ask my mentor who has been breeding papillons for 30 years in a responsible, caring, scientific way-- if the Illinois bill passes she is going to have to either take out a second mortgage to build a kennel or she will have to sell, give away, or spay all but two of her bitches. It is ridiculous. I never, ever want to see that happening in my state. |