Senator Santorum of Pennsylvania has introduced S1139,also known in
the dog community as PAWS. It would bring certain individuals under
the jurisdiction of the federal USDA. Those individuals would need
to register with USDA and they would then be subject to inspection.
Per
the language of the bill, the individuals subject to this
jurisdiction are those who breed more than 7 litters/sell more than
25 dogs in a year. These are the same individuals who the AKC
considers as ‘high-volume breeder’ and who are subject to inspection
by the AKC.
The
language of the bill is complex. The AKC has been involved in the
drafting of the bill as it wants to be on the ‘inside’ of any
changes. For example, when it was clear that numbers (of litters
and puppies) were to be included, the AKC influenced the committee
to use the numbers the AKC uses, as opposed to lower numbers being
proposed.
Many
organizations have been vocal about opposing the PAWS bill and lists
have circulated naming the organizations. The following websites
contain information regarding the opposing positions:
http://santorum.senate.gov - United States Senator
Rick Santorum::Press Office
http://www.akc.org
http://www.naiaonline.org
http://saova.org
At
its Board meeting in August, the NJFDC Board discussed the bill and
felt there were four positions that could be taken:
1.
Support the legislation
2.
Oppose the legislation
3.
Take no position
4.
Represent the position of the majority of our
Constituents (member clubs)
In
the past, the Board has taken positions on legislation which
affected our member clubs. Those pieces of legislation have been
more clear cut and less controversial and divisive than the proposed
PAWS bill
After a lengthy debate the Board decided it would poll the Member
Clubs and take the position as dictated by its members. (Option 4)
The Board will then publicly represent the opinion of its
constituents. Accordingly a letter was sent to each member club
asking for a letter to be sent to the President stating the club’s
position on PAWS. The responses will be compiled the first week
of October and the results will be posted on the web-site.
