[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=3420

Mandatory Spay/Neuter Reintroduced in New Jersey Print This Article [Tuesday, January 29, 2008] Senator Van Drew has introduced Senate Bill 971, a bill which threatens the rights of responsible dog owners in New Jersey. This bill is a reintroduction of 2006's AB 3542. Fanciers, concerned dog owners, and responsible breeders should immediately contact their representatives in the New Jersey State Legislature, and the members of the Senate Economic Growth Committee who will first hear this bill, and express their vehement opposition to this bill.

The bill would require that before a dog could be released from any shelter or pound it must be sterilized, unless the owner can provide documentation of the following:
that the dog "has been shown" within the last 12 months; or that the owner is a "professional licensed breeder registered with the American Kennel Club"; or a licensed veterinarian has determined that sterilization would be detrimental to the dog's health.
Sterilization is required for all dogs impounded, even if it is the first time the dog has been detained.

The majority of purebred dogs never compete in AKC events and would not be eligible for this exemption. Further, the American Kennel Club does not license breeders. Therefore, this bill creates conditions that the vast majority of responsible dog owners cannot possibly meet.

The American Kennel Club opposes the concept of breeding permits, breeding bans, or the 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. Additionally, we strongly support and actively promote a wide range of programs to educate the public about responsible breeding practices and the responsibilities of dog ownership.



For a copy of the bill, click here.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Contact the members of the NJ Senate Economic Growth Committee. Urge them to oppose SB 971.

Senator Raymond Lesniak - Chair
985 Stuyvesant Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
(908)-624-0880
To contact Senator Lesniak via e-mail, click here, then click "Contact Your Legislator(s)", then click "Select your Representative(s)".

Senator Sandra Cunningham
1738 Kennedy Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ 07305
(201)-451-5100
To contact Senator Cunningham via e-mail, click here, then click "Contact Your Legislator(s)", then click "Select your Representative(s)".

Senator Joseph Kyrillos, Jr.
One Arin Park Building
Suite 303
1715 Highway 35
Middleton, NJ 07748
(732)-671-3206
To contact Senator Kyrillos via e-mail, click here, then click "Contact Your Legislator(s)", then click "Select your Representative(s)".

Senator Steven Oroho
Post Office Box 249
25 Route 23 South
Franklin, NJ 07416
(973)-827-2900

227 Route 206
Bldg. 1
1st Floor
Flanders, NJ 07836
(973)-584-4670

Senator Teresa Ruiz
To contact Senator Ruiz via e-mail, click here, then click "Contact Your Legislator(s)", then click "Select your Representative(s)".


Contact your own state Assemblyperson and Senator. Express your opposition to AB 1591, and urge them to do the same. To find out who represents you in the New Jersey State Assembly and State Senate, go here.
For more information, please contact the AKC Canine Legislation Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org; or contact the New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs at taborgsp@verison.net.