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AKC holds off on show cancellation (Long Beach,
CA)
AKC holds off on show cancellation
Dog show board action held for disposition of neutering bill.
Article Launched: 06/11/2007 10:27:36 PM PDT
LONG BEACH - Dogs may have their day in Long Beach after all, as the
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship's board of directors on Monday decided
against canceling their December show here.
The fallout from a last-minute switch by a pair of local Assembly members
last week to support legislation to require cats and dogs to be spayed or
neutered by four months of age had apparently placed the show in danger of
cancellation.
The show is estimated to bring in 30,000 participants and have a $65
million impact on the city's economy and $850,000 in hotel bed taxes
through 2014, the year through which show organizers have
tentatively scheduled dates.
Following an Assembly vote in which Assembly members
Betty Karnette and Laura Richardson supported the bill
after promising local lobbyists and tourism officials to
abstain, dog show participants began to lash out at the
city and the pair of Democratic legislators.
The votes by Richardson and Karnette helped
Assemblyman Lloyd Levine's AB 1634, called the
California Healthy Pets Act, pass 41-38.
After the vote, both of the Democratic
lawmakers from Long Beach said they
supported the bill after its author promised
to make changes that would be more friendly
to dog breeders.
The bill needed to pass through the
Assembly to the Senate last week under a
legislative deadline.
Last week's vote had dog
breeders and participants
howling mad.
Many voiced plans to
boycott the show in
e-mails and phone calls
to the city, tourism
officials and the
Press-Telegram.
"You can be sure
that, in light
of the position
taken by
Assemblywoman
Betty Karnette
and
Assemblywoman
Laura Richardson
neither I, my
dogs, nor dogs
bred by me will
ever participate
in a dog show
held in Long
Beach," wrote
Melissa Carlin,
who has been a
breeder for more
than 30 years.
"Since I live in
New York State
that means a
loss of hotel
bookings, rental
cars and
restaurant meals
and the taxes
appended
thereto."
Due to
the
massive
number
of
threats
to
boycott
they
received,
local
tourism
officials
were
concerned
the
attendees
at the
quarterly
board
meeting
in Las
Vegas on
Monday
would
force
the
cancellation
of the
show.
Even though members at Monday's meeting voiced their anger over the votes by Richardson and Karnette, the board decided against cancellation until the legislation runs its course, Bebout said.
Although both legislators had told lobbyists and local tourism officials they would abstain from supporting the bill to help keep the dog show in Long Beach, they switched their votes.
Richardson on Monday said she and Karnette were assured by Levine he would work with The American Kennel Club to make changes to the bill while it's in the Senate.
"It was never our intention, or the author's intention, that what is being sent over (to) the Senate is the final draft," Richardson said, adding that if the author does not address the concerns AKC has with the legislation then "I will not support the bill when it returns to the Assembly floor."
Karnette on Monday said that by agreeing to support the bill she was also given assurances it would be made more breeder-friendly.
She said she would also like to see a sunset date placed on the bill, as well as oversight in the regulation of any new laws that would be created by it.
"It really has nothing to do with breeding, it has to do with dogs being left in the street and cats being left in the street," Karnette said. "Everybody wants to do what's right."
The bill is now in the state Senate, and has yet to be assigned a committee.
As it is worded now, the bill would require most cats and dogs four months old and up to be spayed or neutered. Failure to do so could result in a $500 fine for owners.
Levine said the bill was needed to curb a huge population of unwanted pets that is costing state and local governments $300 million a year.
The bill includes several exceptions, including show animals, police dogs and guide dogs and for animals that are too old or ill to be spayed or neutered.
Many breeders and dog owners say the bill adds unneeded bureaucracy.
"If this bill passes it will render California as not being dog friendly, and there will be a lot of constituents who will say that we should not support California, or Long Beach, with AKC events," Bebout said.
While tourism officials were relieved about Monday's decision, they still worry about future bookings.
"We're still concerned about future dates," said Steve Goodling, president and CEO of the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau. "AKC members are very frustrated with the votes of local elected officials and they're watching closely what is going to occur in the Senate and depending upon the votes in the Senate, it could determine whether Long
Beach is able to continue hosting the event in future years."
Replacing the event would be difficult because it is in December, typically a slow time for conventions, Goodling added.
"In our view, it is premature to consider leaving Long Beach, even though we have a portion of our constituents who believe it would be appropriate for us to leave," said Walt Bebout, director of K-9 legislation, after the quarterly board meeting wrapped up Monday.
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