Congress Attempts

Congress Attempts to Federally Regulate Dog Breeding

 

Legislation has been introduced in Congress to increase regulation of

commercial dog breeding operations in the United States . The legislation

amends the Animal Welfare Act ( AWA ) to dictate when the first breeding of a

female may occur and limits the number of breedings allowed within a certain

time period. In addition, the legislation imposes socialization

requirements-an engineering standard including a written plan of

activities-that will be developed by a panel of animal welfare and behavior

experts. Finally, the legislation creates a "three strikes and you're out"

penalty provision for breeders. The bills, S. 1478 and H.R. 3058, have

already gathered an impressive list of cosponsors to date-11 in the Senate

and 59 in the House-and have broad bipartisan support. (Click here for Senate

cosponsors; click here for House cosponsors).

 

BACKGROUND

 

In May 2000, the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL) initiated a lawsuit against

the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand coverage of the number and

types of breeders regulated by the Animal Welfare Act. Several national

animal rights groups supported this effort. A July US district court

decision, currently under appeal by the federal government, would require a

huge expansion of the Animal Welfare Act's licensing and inspection

activities potentially requiring every person who sells a dog or cat,

including non-commercial and private in-home hobby breeders, to obtain a

federal license and submit to federal regulations. AKC believes that such

expansion would actually weaken the effectiveness of AWA enforcement by

forcing USDA inspectors to focus more of their limited time and resources

investigating low-risk, small breeding facilities instead of concentrating

their attention where it is most needed, in the large commercial facilities.

 

NEW BILLS

 

Now several of these same organizations are supporting S. 1478/H.R. 3058,

legislation that is supposed to deal with "puppy mills" but which potentially

could expand the AWA to apply to all dog breeders-large or small, commercial

or hobbyist, even those who sell from their own homes.

 

Because the vast majority of AKC dog fanciers across the country already

employ higher standards than those set forth in this legislation, they may

not immediately recognize the serious problems contained in these legislative

proposals. Specifically, the AKC is concerned about the following issues:

First, the bills' findings are presented in a sensational rather than a

scientific format. Such presentation encourages emotional responses rather

than ones that are based on knowledge and fact. Second, the legislation

encourages a level of federal involvement in breeding decisions that is

intrusive and excessive. Third, it attempts to create an engineering plan for

socialization that would be developed by animal welfare and behavior experts

instead of the recognized experts in the regulated community.

 

As the nation's leading authority on purebred dogs, the American Kennel Club

would like the opportunity to provide input into these findings before

legislation is considered further. The AKC 's early attempts to work with

sponsors of this legislation to improve the bills' provisions were rebuffed.

It's important to note that the AKC strongly and officially supports proper

care and humane treatment of animals at all times. It not only advocates

strict enforcement of the AWA to ensure humane treatment of dogs in breeding

facilities, but it also conducts its own inspections and suspends breeders

from its registry that violate its care and conditions standards.

 

The AKC is studying S. 1478/H.R. 3058 to develop more effective ways to

regulate irresponsible and inhumane breeders who may currently fall through

the cracks of regulation. We know that there are irresponsible breeders who

do not share our concern for the welfare of their dogs and we want to them

brought into compliance with the AWA . We believe, however, that it is a

misuse of tax dollars and resources to pass overly intrusive and restrictive

laws that would affect responsible breeders who already maintain exemplary

breeding programs.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

•Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators in Washington . Ask them to

oppose S. 1478/H.R. 3058 for the reasons stated above. To find out who

represents you in the Senate, click here. To find out who represents you in

the House, click here. You may also phone the United States Capitol

switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and an operator will connect you directly with

the Senate or House office you request.

 

•If you live in the district or state of a member of the House or Senate

Committee on Agriculture, it is especially important that you urge them to

stop these bills from moving forward. Click here for committee membership

lists.

 

•If you live in the district or state of a House or Senate cosponsor of these

bills, ask them to withdraw their support. For additional information about

these bills or other legislative issues affecting dogs and their owners,

please contact doglaw@akc.org.

 

SEARCH         Members of the US House of Representatives Committee on

Agriculture

(in order of seniority)

 

Republicans

Rep. Larry Combest, Chairman

House Agriculture Committee

1301 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2171 (ph), 202-225-0917 (fax) agriculture@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. John Boehner , Vice Chairman

1011 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-6205 (ph), 202-225-0704 (fax) john.boehner@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Bob Goodlatte

2240 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5431 (ph), 202-225-9681

talk2bob@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Richard Pombo

2411 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-1947 (ph), 202-225-5914 (fax)

rpombo@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Nick Smith

2305 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-6276 (ph), 202-225-6281 (fax)

rep.smith@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Terry Everett

2312 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2901 (ph), 202-225-8913 (fax) terry.everett@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Frank Lucas

438 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5565 (ph), 202-225-8698 (fax)

replucas@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Saxby Chambliss

1019 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-6531 (ph), 202-225-3013 (fax) saxby.chambliss@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Jerry Moran

1519 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2715 (ph), 202-225-5124 (fax) jerry.moran@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Bob Schaffer

212 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-4676 (ph), 202-225-5870 (fax)

 

Rep. John Thune

1005 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2801 (ph), 202-225-5823 (fax)

jthune@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. William Jenkins

1708 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-6356 (ph), 202-225-5714 (fax)

 

Rep. John Cooksey

113 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-8490 (ph), 202-225-5639 (fax) congressman.cooksey@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Gil Gutknecht

425 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2472 (ph), 202-225-3246 (fax)

gil@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Bob Riley

322 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3261 (ph), 202-225-5827 (fax)

bob.riley@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Mike Simpson

1440 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5531 (ph), 202-225-8216 (fax) mike.simpson@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Doug Ose

215 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5716 (ph), 202-226-1298 (fax)

doug.ose@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Robin Hayes

130 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3715 (ph), 202-225-4036 (fax)

 

Rep. Ernest Lee Fletcher

1117 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-4706 (ph), 202-225-2122

 

Rep. Charles Pickering

427 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5031 (ph), 202-225-5797 (fax)

 

Rep. Timothy Johnson

1541 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2371 (ph), 202-226-0791 (fax) rep.johnson@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Thomas Osborne

507 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-6435 (ph), 202-226-1385 (fax)

 

Rep. Mike Pence

1605 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3021 (ph), 202-225-3382 (fax)

mike.pence@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Dennis Rehberg

516 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3211 (ph), 202-225-5687 (fax) denny.rehberg@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Sam Graves

1407 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20215

202-225-7041 (ph), 202-225-8221 (fax)

sam.graves@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Adam Putnam

506 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-1252 (ph), 202-226-0585 (fax)

ask.adam@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Mark Kennedy

1415 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2331 (ph), 202-225-6475 (fax) mark.kennedy@mail.house.gov

 

    Democrats

Rep. Charles Stenholm ,

Ranking Minority Member

1211 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-6605 (ph), 202-225-2016 (fax)

 

Rep. Gary Condit

2234 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-6131 (ph), 202-225-0819 (fax)

rep.condit@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Collin Peterson

2159 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2165 (ph), 202-225-1593 (fax) tocollin.peterson@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Calvin Dooley

1201 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3341 (ph), 202-225-9308 (fax)

 

Rep. Eva Clayton

2440 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3101 (ph), 202-225-3354 (fax)

eclayton1@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Earl Hilliard

1314 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2665 (ph), 202-226-0772 (fax)

 

Rep. Tim Holden

2417 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5546 (ph), 202-226-0996 (fax)

 

Rep. Sanford Bishop, Jr.

2429 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3631 (ph), 202-226-3601 (fax) bishop.email@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Bennie Thompson

2432 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5876 (ph), 202-225-5898 (fax) thompsonms2nd@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. John Baldacci

1740 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-6306 (ph), 202-225-2943 (fax)

baldacci@me02.house.gov

 

Rep. Marion Berry

1113 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-4076 (ph), 202-225-5602 (fax)

 

Rep. Mike McIntyre

228 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2731 (ph), 202-225-5773 (fax)

 

Rep. Bob Etheridge

1533 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-4531 (ph), 202-225-5662 (fax) bob.etheridge@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Leonard Boswell

1039 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3806 (ph), 202-225-5608 (fax) rep.boswell.ia03@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. David Phelps

1523 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5201 (ph), 202-225-1541 (fax) david.phelps@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Ken Lucas

1237 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3465 (ph), 202-225-0003 (fax) write.kenlucas@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Mike Thompson

119 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3311 (ph), 202-225-4335 (fax)

m.thompson@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Baron Hill

1208 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5315 (ph), 202-226-6866 (fax)

 

Rep. Joe Baca

1133 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-6161 (ph), 202-225-8671 (fax)

cong.baca@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Richard Larsen

1529 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2605 (ph), 202-225-4420 (fax) rick.larsen@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Michael Ross

514 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-3772 (ph), 202-226-1314 (fax)

 

Rep. Aníbal Acevedo-Vilá

126 Cannon House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-2615 (ph), 202-225-2154 (fax)

anibal@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Ron Kind

1713 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5506 (ph), 202-225-5739 (fax)

ron.kind@mail.house.gov

 

Rep. Ronnie Shows

1408 Longworth House Office Building

Washington , DC 20515

202-225-5865 (ph), 202-225-5886 (fax) ronnie.shows@mail.house.gov  

If your representative does not have an e-mail address listed, please go to

the following Web site: www.house.gov/writerep/. Constituents will be asked

to enter their zip code to access their member's e-mail. Â   Â  

 

Members of the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry (in order of seniority)

 

Democrats

Sen. Tom Harkin, Chairman

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition

and Forestry

328A Russell Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-2035 (ph), 202-224-1725 (fax)

 

Sen. Patrick Leahy

433 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-4242 (ph), 202-224-3479 (fax) senator_leahy@leahy.senate.gov

 

Sen. Kent Conrad

530 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-2043 (ph), 202-224-7776 (fax)

senator@conrad.senate.gov

 

Sen. Thomas Daschle

509 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-2321 (ph), 202-224-7895 (fax) tom_daschle@daschle.senate.gov

 

Sen. Max Baucus

511 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-2651 (ph), 202-228-3687 (fax)

max@baucus.senate.gov

 

Sen. Blanche Lincoln

359 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-4843 (ph), 202-228-1371 (fax) blanche_lincoln@lincoln.senate.gov

 

Sen. Zell Miller

257 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-3643 (ph), 202-228-2090 (fax)

 

Sen. Debbie Stabenow

702 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-4822 (ph), 202-228-0325 (fax) senator@stabenow.senate.gov

 

Sen. Ben Nelson

720 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-6551 (ph), 202-228-0012 (fax) ben_nelson@bennelson.senate.gov

 

Sen. Mark Dayton

346 Russell Senate Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-3244 (ph), 202-228-2186 (fax)

 

Sen. Paul Wellstone

136 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-5641 (ph), 202-224-8438 (fax)

   

Republicans

Sen. Richard Lugar , Ranking Minority Member

306 Hart Senate Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-4814 (ph), 202-224-0360 (fax) senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov

 

Sen. Jesse Helms

403 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-6342 (ph), 202-228-1339 (fax)

jesse_helms@senate.gov

 

Sen. Thad Cochran

326 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-5054 (ph), 202-224-9450 (fax) senator@cochran.senate.gov

 

Sen. Mitch McConnell

361A Russell Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-2541 (ph), 202-224-2499 (fax) senator@mcconnell.senate.gov

 

Sen. Pat Roberts

302 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-4774 (ph), 202-224-3514 (fax) pat_roberts@roberts.senate.gov

 

Sen. Peter Fitzgerald

555 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-2854 (ph), 202-228-1372 (fax) senator_fitzgerald@fitzgerald.senate.gov

 

Sen. Craig Thomas

109 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-6441 (ph), 202-224-1724 (fax)

craig@thomas.senate.gov

 

Sen. Wayne Allard

525 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-5941 (ph), 202-224-6471 (fax)

 

Sen. Tim Hutchinson

239 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-2353 (ph), 202-228-3973 (fax) senator.hutchinson@hutchinson.senate.gov

 

Sen. Michael Crapo

111 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington , DC 20510

202-224-6142 (ph), 202-228-1375

 

 

 

 

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