[RDOWS]

A new Legislative Alert has been posted on the AKC's web site. To view this alert, please click on the following link, or cut and paste it into your web browser:

http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3417

Breeders Bill to be Heard by Virginia House Committee Wednesday Print This Article [Monday, January 28, 2008] Virginia House Bill 538 will be heard by the full House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, January 30, 2008, at 8:30AM in House Room C of the General Assembly Building. The bill, which is sponsored by Delegate Orrock, a member of the committee, seeks to:
Define commercial breeders as persons who maintain 20 or more unsterilized adult females for commercial breeding; Limit commercial breeders to maintaining no more than 50 adult dogs at one time; Require commercial breeders to cooperate with inspections by animal control officers; and Mandate commercial breeders to keep records of animal sales, purchases, breeding history, and veterinary care.
The American Kennel Club opposes the concept of breeding permits, breeding bans, or mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs. Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously.

It is imperative that concerned breeders and owners write or call the committee members and voice their opposition to the bill. Additionally, the American Kennel Club and the Virginia Federation of Dog Clubs and Breeders encourage everyone to attend Wednesday’s hearing in opposition to HB 538.

The text of the bill.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Write or call the members of the House Agriculture Committee and ask them to oppose HB 538.

Harvey B. Morgan, Chairman
Phone: (804) 698-1098
email: DelHMorgan@house.state.va.us

R. Lee Ware, Jr., Vice-Chairman
Phone: (804) 698-1065
email: DelLWare@house.state.va.us

Robert D. Orrock, Sr.
Phone: (804) 698-1054
email: DelBOrrock@house.state.va.us

Edward T. Scott
Phone: (804) 698-1030
email: DelEScott@house.state.va.us

Daniel W. Marshall, III
Phone: (804) 698-1014
email: DelDMarshall@house.state.va.us

Matthew J. Lohr
Phone: (804) 698-1026
email: DelMLohr@house.state.va.us

Charles D. Poindexter
Phone: (804) 698-1009
email: DelCPoindexter@house.state.va.us

James M. Shuler
Phone: (804) 698-1012
email: DelJShuler@house.state.va.us

Lynwood W. Lewis, Jr.
Phone: (804) 698-1000
email: DelLLewis@house.state.va.us

Robert W. Mathieson
Phone: (804) 698-1021
email: DelRMathieson@house.state.va.us

M. Kirkland Cox
Phone: (804) 698-1066
email: DelKCox@house.state.va.us

Beverly J. Sherwood
Phone: (804) 698-1029
email: DelBSherwood@house.state.va.us

Thomas C. Wright, Jr.
Phone: (804) 698-1061
email: DelTWright@house.state.va.us

Christopher B. Saxman
Phone: (804) 698-1020
email: DelCSaxman@house.state.va.us

Clarke N. Hogan
(804) 698-1060
email: DelCHogan@house.state.va.us

Brenda L. Pogge
Phone: (804) 698-1096
email: DelBPogge@house.state.va.us

Kenneth R. Plum
Phone: (804) 698-1036
email: DelKPlum@house.state.va.us

Albert C. Eisenberg
Phone: (804) 698-1047
email: DelAEisenberg@house.state.va.us

Stephen C. Shannon
Phone: (804) 698-1035
email: DelSShannon@house.state.va.us

David L. Bulova
Phone: (804) 698-1037
email: DelDBulova@house.state.va.us

Margaret G. Vanderhye
Phone: (804) 698-1034
email: DelMVanderhye@house.state.va.us

Joseph F. Bouchard
Phone: (804) 698-1083
email: DelJBouchard@house.state.va.us