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Originally Posted by CC's  I see a few things in this bill I would be concerned about. The bill itself looks to have so much stuff to go through to get to the rules of breeding that its a bit confusing.
Not only that 6 dogs a year making someone a "dealer", (no hobby breeder I know wants that classification).
The clause that any Vet can report a breeder with no recourse is a problem for me. I have been at odds before on treatment with a Vet. He could under this law report me and have me subjected to legal battles and even if I am right I can't sue to recoup my costs for defense. If you think all vets are not above causing trouble for someone your dreaming. I have met some nasty Vets in my time.
Also even before you are found guilty of anything it reads that "Require the defendant to refrain from owning, harboring, or training an animal". So where would your dogs go? Are they confiscated from you without conviction?
Also the definition of "maiming" a dog does not have an exception for dew claws or tails or ear cropping. Whether or not you agree with this practice it is common on many breeds and now could be used to charge someone with animal cruelty? It doesn't seem clear to me in this bill.
I am not a lawyer or from Indiana but it looks like it needs more work to me.
These kinds of laws will not stop commercial kennels at all. They already have strict restrictions and kennel conditions under USDA. Those that don't follow those rules are already breaking the law. Amish puppy mills that sell to Brokers or Pet stores fall under federal USDA guidelines. If they have more tha 3 intact females and sell to Brokers they are by law to be USDA licensed and inspected.
They won't obey new laws any better than they do the ones now. Some of these bills might make a good hobby breeder quit though. Pa has many mills, yet lots of strict laws.
My fear of all the new laws being proposed is that the only breeders that will be left in the country is going to be USDA commercial breeders. (commercial breeders want all breeders under USDA without exception, they think its only fair)
Instead of making these kinds of laws, I believe they should be making laws to abolish pet store animal sales and brokers. Make a law that if you breed you sell from your own place. That way each buyer sees where the animals are being raised and how. There could be much better control this way. The market would weed out mills by no sales where people see uncared for dogs. JMO. |
I particularly like this part of the law. A vet MAY report some one of cruelty without fear of being sued.
Sometimes vets are the first to know about abusive conditions. Should they have to risk their practice, in order to report suspected abuse? There are similar laws that have been in place for physicians, who have been able to help get children out of abusive situations, because of similar laws.
I'm not sure you could make a law that abolishes sells of animals from pet stores or brokers. Laws have to be made within the framework of the constitution, and that seems to go against the framework, but I'm no lawyer.