Bill would allow breeders to classify dogs as "farm products"
 

Dog Breeder Bill Creates Stir
Supporters Say Measure Gives Breeders Tax Breaks

POSTED: 3:52 pm CDT May 12, 2006
UPDATED: 6:22 pm CDT May 12, 2006

DES MOINES, Iowa -- It's a hot issue for animal activists and animal breeders across the state.

A bill awaiting the governor's signature would allow licensed dog breeders to classify dogs as "farm products."

It's already passed both the House and Senate. Now, animal breeders are urging the governor to sign it while activists are pleading with him to veto it.

Rob Hurd, owner of Precious Pets in Carlisle, sells several different breeds of dogs and is a member of the Iowa Federation of Animal Owners. The group lobbied for the measure.

Hurd said the bill is intended to give breeders the same tax breaks as farmers.

"There are some tax implications that would be beneficial to us. One of them is, currently, we pay sales tax on ... dog food, vet supplies," Hurd said.

People such as Tom Colvin of the Animal Rescue League are trying to stop the legislation from being passed.

"There's been some discussions about this being not a big deal, but it is a big deal," Colvin said. "That is my biggest fear is that it is going to start stripping away protections that dogs currently have in the state of Iowa."

Colvin said the bill classifies dogs as livestock, which don't have the same protections as dogs.

"Once we start listing dogs as farm products, as livestock, it's quickly one step and then another step and another step. We're very, very concerned about where that whole thing can go," Colvin said.

The governor's office said that Gov. Tom Vilsack is listening to concerns on both sides of the debate and will make a decision later this month.

Hurd said that he's not surprised people are against it, but he insists this bill does not classify dogs as livestock and that those behind it don't have bad intentions.

"We have lobbied for tougher rules and regulations to animal cruelty. We don't care to lessen any of those laws so those parts of the opposition are just not true," Hurd said.

Iowa's Agriculture Secretary Patty Judge sent a letter to the governor asking him to veto it.

In a letter to KCCI, Judge said this expansion could possibly encourage large-scale production of canines in Iowa, and thereby providing the potential for puppy mill-type of operations.

Hurd said he thinks that the law will encourage breeders that are not licensed to get licensed. But the Animal Rescue League said it doubts that will happen.

The bill is now in Vilsack's hands.

He said he expects to make a decision within the month.

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