SAOVA News and Updates

Animal rightist legislation backed by HSUS has been introduced in 26 states. HSUS vowed to introduce commercial breeder bills in 34 states this year. Having failed for over 8 years at the federal level to pass legislation that would regulate, inspect and eliminate many small scale dog/cat breeders selling at retail, HSUS has taken their campaign across the U.S. at the state level. (see archives for more information on the progression of the federal legislation). The legislation has many common elements such as using numbers to define which breeders will be legislated, setting engineering vs performance standards for facilities, and establishing some type of veterinary criteria for breeding.

*This tracking spreadsheet lists some but not all of the current legislation.* In addition to the commercial breeder bills there are 4 confinement bills similar to California's Prop2.

STATE LEGISLATION

Alabama
Senate Bill 554 Sterilization of private dogs, cats required. Introduced by Sen. Dell March (R, 12)

California
AB 241 Dogs and cats: breeders. Assembly Member Pedro Nava (D-35)
SB 250 Dogs and cats: spaying and neutering. Senator Dean Florez (D, 16)

Delaware
An act to amend Title 7 of the Delaware Code relating to dogs. Introduced by Rep. Melanie Marshall (D,5)

Florida
Senate Bill 2002: Relating to Commercial Dog Breeding. Introduced by Sen. Lee Constantine (R, 22)
House Bill 1249: Relating to Commercial Dog Breeding. Introduced by Rep. Darren Soto (D, 49)

Illinois
HB198 and SB53 are on hold; a task force is being created to determine what if any additional regulation of breeders is necessary.
House Bill 0198 Licensing Dog Breeder. Introduced by Rep. John Fritchey (D, 11)
Senate Bill 053 Licensing Dog Breeder. Introduced by Senator Dan Kotowski (D, 33)
Senate Bill 0139 No Crop/Dock. Introduced by Sen. Terry Link (D, 30)

Chicago mandatory spay/neuter ordinance.

Indiana
HB 1468 Animal cruelty and commercial dog breeders. Introduced by Rep. Linda Lawson (D, 1)

Maine
HP 666, LD 946 An Act Pertaining to the Breeding and Selling of Dogs and Cats
LD 1053 An Act To Ensure Humane Dog and Cat Breeding

Minnesota
HF 253 Standards for Dog and Cat Breeders

North Carolina
Senate Bill 515 Prohibit Penning of Wildlife
Senate Bill 695 Restraining of Dogs
House Bill 626 Restraining of Dogs
Senate Bill 460 Commercial Dog Breeder
House Bill 733 Regulate Commercial Breeding/Dogs
Download Form Letters to oppose bills

Oklahoma
Oklahoma Pet Quality Assurance and Protection Act. Introduced by Rep. Lee Denney (R, 33)

Tennessee
Senate Bill 258 Commercial Breeder Act. Introduced by Sen.Doug Jackson (D-Dickson, District 25)
House Bill 386 Commercial Breeder Act. Introduced by Rep. Janis Sontany (D-Nashville, District 53)

Texas
SB 634 Prohibit Tethering
Listing of bills introduced in Texas House and Senate

West Virginia
HB 2843 Regulate Commercial Breeders

Wisconsin
AB 250 / SB 208 Breeder Regulation bills

FEDERAL LEGISLATION

HR669 Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act would ban non-native species until approval process. Read more....

Update October, 2008. The House is adjourned and PUPS (Puppy Uniform Protection Statute) HR6949/S3519 is dead. List of 21 House cosponsors and 3 Senate cosponsors can be viewed here. HSUS will certainly reintroduce this legislation in 2009.

Under Archives, SAOVA has stored summaries and articles showing the progression of the HSUS breeder bill attempts beginning in 2001 with the Puppy Protection Act.

Jan 2009. HR 305 Short Title: Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2009. To amend title 49, United States Code, to prohibit the transportation of horses in interstate transportation in a motor vehicle containing 2 or more levels stacked on top of one another. Sponsor: Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] (introduced 1/8/2009) Cosponsors (52) Latest Major Action: 1/8/2009 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Jan 2009 HR 503 Short Title: Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009. To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain conduct relating to the use of horses for human consumption. Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] (introduced 1/14/2009) Cosponsors (138) Latest Major Action: 1/14/2009 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. 3/16/2009 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Position: OPPOSE.

March 2009 Companion Bill S727 Short Title: Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009. To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit certain conduct relating to the use of horses for human consumption. Sponsor: Senator Mary Landrieu [D, LA] Cosponsors (17) Latest Major Action: 1/14/2009 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. 3/26/2009 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Position: OPPOSE.

Brownfield. Equine protection bill may cause suffering among horses

The Monthly National Legislation Report is published once a month listing available reports of dog and animal legislation in all States.
The Monthly National Legislation Report