Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Subject: STRICT OHIO BREEDER BILL TO BE HEARD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24

[Tuesday, June 23, 2009]

Ohio House Bill 124 will be considered by the Ohio House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, June 24.

HB 124 seeks to strictly regulate commercial breeders who produce nine litters of puppies or at least forty puppies in any given calendar year, including:

Imposing strict engineering standards (including cage sizes, temperature range, etc.) with no regard for various dog breeds or the extensive costs to responsible breeders
Limiting breeding ages to dogs between 18 months and 9 years of age with no regard for alternative reproductive techniques. The AKC believes the decision on whether a dog should be bred is one to be made by the dog's owner in conjunction with a veterinarian.

The AKC strongly opposes cruelty and mistreatment of animals and believes all dogs should be cared for in a humane manner. The AKC is concerned, however, that any bill seeking to protect the health and welfare of dogs does not infringe on the rights of breeders who take their responsibilities seriously.

How You Can Help
Attend the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee hearing on Wednesday, June 24, and politely express your concerns with HB 124. The hearing details are as follows:

House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
Wednesday, June 14
9:30 a.m.
Room 018
Ohio Statehouse
Columbus, Ohio

*Please note that the committee will be considering a resolution on an unrelated issue prior to hearing HB 124. The Chairman's office has informed AKC that that consideration of this bill may take several hours, depending on the length of public testimony.

If you are unable to attend the hearing, contact the members of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and express your concerns with HB 124 and your support for responsible breeding in Ohio. The Committee's contact information is as follows:

Representative John Domenick (Chairman)
Phone: (614) 466-3735Fax: (614) 719-6995Email: district95@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Allan Sayre (Vice Chair)
Phone: (614) 466-8035Fax: (614) 719-6996Email: district96@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Jeff Wagner (Ranking Minority Member)
Phone: (614) 466-1374Fax: (614) 719-6981Email: district81@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Richard Adams
Phone: (614) 466-8114Fax: (614) 719-3979Email: district79@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Linda Bolon
Phone: (614) 466-8022Fax: (614) 719-6971Email: district01@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Troy Balderson
Phone: (614) 644-6014Fax: (614) 719-6994Email: district94@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Dan Dodd
Phone: (614) 466-2500Fax: (614) 719-6991Email: district91@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Terry Boose
Phone: (614) 466-9628Fax: (614) 719-3958Email: district58@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Jennifer Garrison
Phone: (614) 644-8728Fax: (614) 719-6993Email: district93@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Timothy Derickson
Phone: (614) 644-5094Fax: (614) 719-6953Email: district53@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Dennis Murray
Phone: (614) 644-6011Fax: (614) 719-6980Email: district80@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Matthew Dolan
Phone: (614) 644-5088Fax: (614) 719-6998Email: district98@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Deborah Newcomb
Phone: (614) 466-1405Fax: (614) 719-6999Email: district99@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Dave Hall
Phone: (614) 466-2994Fax: (614) 719-6997Email: district97@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Mark Okey
Phone: (614) 466-1464Fax: (614) 719-3961Email: district61@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Margaret Ruhl
Phone: (614) 466-1431Fax: (614) 719-6990Email: district90@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative Raymond Pryor
Phone: (614) 644-7928Fax: (614) 719-6985Email: district85@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative W. Carlton Weddington
Phone: (614) 466-5343Fax: (614) 719-3581Email: district27@ohr.state.oh.us

Representative James Zehringer
Phone: (614) 466-6344Fax: (614) 719-3977Email: district77@ohr.state.oh.us

For more information, contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720; or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.

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