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Updated Report
May 12, 2002
REPORT OF THE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
By Joan Tabor
Basically, it has been a good few weeks
for responsible breeders in the New Jersey Federation. First was the news
that the Berlin Township Ordinance was withdrawn, then the news that the PPA
had been deleted from the Farm Bill. However, news of other New Jersey
Bills that may restrict what breeders can do with their dogs has tempered
the momentary taste of victory.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION:
The Puppy
Protection Act has been stripped from the Farm Bill. The members of
the US House-Senate conference committee omitted the PPA from the final
version of the Farm Bill. It was determined that although the PPA was
drafted with good intentions, it offered only misguided, unenforceable
public policy. This act would have severely restricted the rights of
responsible breeders and set an alarming precedent for government
intervention.
NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATION:
BERLIN TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE
DEFEATED
A severely
restrictive, breed-specific, vicious dog law was withdrawn from
consideration on April 22, 2002, at a Berlin Township hearing. This
ordinance singled out American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull
Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and any dogs having the
appearance of being predominantly one of the aforementioned breeds. It
would have prohibited the breeding of these dogs and imposed an insurance
requirement of at least one million dollars. This ordinance would have been
in violation of the vicious dog law passed by the New Jersey State
Legislature in 1989.
Thanks should be given
to New Jersey Federation of Dog Clubs President, Priscilla Gabosch and to
Barbara Wicklund for speaking at the hearing on the side of the opposition.
Thanks also to Karl Gabosch for attending the hearing. The AKC also sent
material to the town attorney, which proved to be extremely useful. This
was an example of how well things can work when the Federation has been
alerted in sufficient time to have some of its members attend the meeting
and give the AKC the heads up.
NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLY
CLEARS BAN ON DOG DEBARKING
Assembly Bill 1586,
sponsored by Assemblyman Guy Gregg (R-Morris) and Assemblyman Gerald Green
(D-Union) makes surgically debarking a dog, for reasons other than to
protect the life or health of the dog, a third degree crime. This bill
passed by a unanimous vote in the State Assembly on May 6th.
The bill will require municipal court clerks to record whether a dog has
been debarked before issuing a license.
The bill passed 75-0
and is now headed to the state Senate. If approved there, it will go to
Governor James McGreevey. The Governor’s spokesman was quoted as saying,
that McGreevey “would have to review the legislation”.
To contact your local
lawmaker go to the
www.njleg.state.nj.us and click on “Find Your Legislator”.
MORE INFO - READ THE LEGISLATION
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