[Monday, June 01, 2009]
The Oklahoma Legislature adjourned on Friday, May 29, without passing House Bill 1332. As introduced, this bill would have placed numerous restrictions on breeders and fanciers, including requiring breeders nationwide to obtain an annual Oklahoma "out-of-state dealer/breeder license" prior to bringing a dog into the state, with few exceptions.
The AKC and its state federation the Oklahoma Animal Interest Alliance (OAIA) succeeded in getting the bill amended to address many concerns. Some issues still remained, however, including the allowance for warrantless inspections at any time and the exclusion of breeder or OAIA representation on a new breeder advisory panel. The bill also continued to allow the state Board of Agriculture to develop standards of care with no public input or
comment.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of OAIA and the many responsible breeders and
dog owners in Oklahoma who continued to contact their legislators, the bill
died in conference committee. The AKC assisted these efforts by issuing
numerous alerts to Oklahoma breeders, fanciers, and AKC officials and
sending letters, providing fact sheets, and communicating with key
legislators. In addition we worked closely with OAIA to develop strategy and
talking points for all responsible owners and breeders opposing this bill.
We congratulate OAIA and Oklahoma breeders on this significant victory.
I just (late on Friday evening) received a call from Stacey Mason who is working on OK HB 1332. She asked me to post this urgent information to all appropriate lists.
Stacey reported that OK HB 1332, which was supposed to be sent to a Senate Conference Committee for work, has been moved out of that committee and will now go straight to the Senate floor for a scheduled vote on Monday, April 27th, at 1:30.
Rep. Lee Denney moved to have the bill reconsidered and sent it back to the floor for a vote, thus avoiding the conference committee where amendments were to be worked on. It is of utmost importance that this information get out to all lists immediately and that the OK Senate members receive faxes and e-mails prior to the vote on Monday urging them to oppose HB 1332. Because this change was made late on Friday evening, with a scheduled Monday vote, it is apparent that the plan was to make it nearly impossible to muster opposition. Please get the word out and get the fax machines and e-mails working to let the OK Senate know that you want them to oppose this bill. Don't let this backdoor political move work!!!
Nancy Fisk,
Hockamock Kennel Club
The AKC is opposed to several measures within HB 1332, which as currently written, infringe on the rights of the many responsible dog owners and breeders in Oklahoma. These include:Allowing for warrantless inspections of private homes and properties without probable cause. The AKC urges clarification of this provision to allow searches/inspections to be executed solely by law enforcement or animal control personnel, and only of quality assurance licensees under the act. In all other instances, probable cause and a warrant issued by a neutral magistrate should be required.
Limiting the number of dogs a person may sell in a year. Numerical limits are arbitrary, difficult to enforce, and do not address the problem of irresponsible ownership. Local responsible breeders should be viewed as assets to their communities. These breeders make serious commitments to their animals by raising healthy, well-cared-for dogs and by working to ensure that puppies are placed with responsible owners. Responsible breeders are in a unique position to support new pet owners and exemplify responsible dog ownership. They should not be unfairly punished through arbitrary limits on sales.
An advisory committee governing kennel regulation that does not include breeder representation. A group that oversees kennel regulation should include a representative of the Oklahoma Animal Interest Alliance, which is the AKC’s recognized federation of responsible breeders, owners, fanciers, and enthusiasts in Oklahoma. We also believe this committee should include the interests of puppy buyers, represented by a consumer advocate.
In its current form, HB 1332, punishes responsible breeders and infringes on their constitutional rights. We urge the Oklahoma Legislature to reject House Bill 1332 as currently written and consider the AKC’s recommendations to ensure all parties are fully protected under the act.What You Can Do:Call, email or fax your representative in the Oklahoma Senate and urge him or her to oppose HB 1332 as currently written. To find out who represents you in the Oklahoma State Senate, select the address tab found at this link. http://www.capitolconnect.com/oklahoma/
For a sample letter to personalize, please click here.
For a fact sheet about this legislation, please click here.
For more information and tips on contacting your representative, please view the following AKC publications:
Disagree Diplomatically
Make Your Contact Count
Preparing For Action
Please go to http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3820 to see AKC's
full alert on HB 1332.
[Wednesday, April 22, 2009]
Today, the Oklahoma Senate voted 30-to-16 in favor of House Bill 1332. If signed into law by Governor Henry, the bill will affect many responsible dog breeders in Oklahoma. HB 1332 will now be sent to a Senate conference committee, which will work on amendments. If the bill survives the conference committee, it will be returned to the Senate for another vote.
Members and staff of the Senate conference committee are expected to be appointed next week, and meetings are expected to be scheduled soon thereafter. The American Kennel Club Government Relations Department will report any and all new developments, including contact information for conference committee members, as developments warrant.
For more details on HB 1332, read AKC's previous legislative alert at http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3817.
Please return to AKC's Legislative Alerts Page for the latest information regarding Oklahoma HB 1332. If you have not done so already, please sign up to receive AKC's Legislative Alert e-mails--go to http://www.akc.org/enewsletter/index.cfm?newslist=takecommand.
For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
Government Relations Department
American Kennel Club
8051 Arco Corporate Drive
Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27617-3390
(919) 816-3720
(919) 816-4275 FAX
Tuesday, April 21, 2009]
The AKC has learned that Oklahoma HB 1332 may be heard by the Senate this week, as the Oklahoma legislative calendar prepares to wind down for the session.
The AKC is opposed to several measures within HB 1332, which as currently written, infringe on the rights of the many responsible dog owners and breeders in Oklahoma. These include:
* Allowing for warrantless inspections of private homes and properties without probable cause. The AKC urges clarification of this provision to allow searches/inspections to be executed solely by law enforcement or animal control personnel, and only of quality assurance licensees under the act. In all other instances, probable cause and a warrant issued by a neutral magistrate should be required.
* Limiting the number of dogs a person may sell in a year. Numerical limits are arbitrary, difficult to enforce, and do not address the problem of irresponsible ownership. Local responsible breeders should be viewed as assets to their communities. These breeders make serious commitments to their animals by raising healthy, well-cared-for dogs and by working to ensure that puppies are placed with responsible owners. Responsible breeders are in a unique position to support new pet owners and exemplify responsible dog ownership. They should not be unfairly punished through arbitrary limits on sales.
* An advisory committee governing kennel regulation that does not include breeder representation. A group that oversees kennel regulation should include a representative of the Oklahoma Animal Interest Alliance, which is the AKC's recognized federation of responsible breeders, owners, fanciers, and enthusiasts in Oklahoma. We also believe this committee should include the interests of puppy buyers, represented by a consumer advocate.
In its current form, HB 1332, punishes responsible breeders and infringes on their constitutional rights. We urge the Oklahoma Legislature to reject House Bill 1332 as currently written and consider the AKC's recommendations to ensure all parties are fully protected under the act.
What You Can Do:
* Call, email or fax your representative in the Oklahoma Senate and urge him or her to oppose HB 1332 as currently written. To find out who represents you in the Oklahoma State Senate select the address tab found at this link. http://www.capitolconnect.com/oklahoma/
* For a sample letter to personalize, please click here: (Webmaster please link to attached sample letter).
* For more information and tips on contacting your representative, please view the following AKC publications:
o Disagree Diplomatically
o Make Your Contact Count
o Preparing For Action
For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at
(919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
Government Relations Department
American Kennel Club
8051 Arco Corporate Drive
Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27617-3390
(919) 816-3720
(919) 816-4275 FAX
