Important, petition to revoke PETA’s tax exemption status

New York Times Ad Condemns Humane Society of the United States for Terror Fundraising

Consumer Group: HSUS Vice President Will Keynote Benefit For Animal-rights Terrorism Group

Follow this important link:

http://www.consumerfreedom.com/pressRelease_detail.cfm/release/244

Dog Bless America..War Dogs Service To Our Soldiers and Adoption

by Jaime Netzer

http://www.vspa.com/k9/hist-VFW.htm

War Dogs Service To Our Soldiers

For almost as long as man has been waging war, dogs have stood at soldiers’ sides. Whether serving as sentries, messengers or search dogs, these loyal hounds share a unique ability: they can simultaneously save troops’ lives and destroy enemies.

War dogs have helped buttress our armed forces officially and effectively since WWII. Despite shifts in duties and breeds, dog-handler relationships—usually close, unyielding bonds—remain largely unchanged.

Dogs have a long history as mascots—and morale boosters—in U.S. war efforts.

As the war drew to a close, the Army took on an ambitious plan to return military dogs to civilian life. It recognized those war dogs that hadn’t died in the line of duty by issuing a discharge certificate upon their return home. However, this process was riddled with problems and was eventually discontinued.  Since 1945, canine recruitment has meant servitude for life, and dogs have been technically classified as “equipment.”

To learn more of the history of War Dogs, just do a general google search.

Adoption Of War Dog Vets

In 2000, Congress passed a law allowing dogs declared “excess” by the Defense Department to be adopted by law-enforcement agencies, prior military handlers and the general public. But lots of people—vets and non-vets alike—are still unaware they can adopt retired military working dogs (MWDs).

To adopt an MWD, prospective owners fill out a basic application answering questions about their experience with dogs, other pets in the household, yard size, fencing and children in the household.

Once a match for a prospective adoption is made, an agreement is signed for the transfer of ownership, releasing the Defense Department from liability.

The dogs are free, but the new owners must pay all costs, including transportation.

‘We Are Grateful’: War Dog Memorials
There are dozens of memorials dedicated to four-legged heroes around the country and as far away as Guam. Here is a partial list:

West Coast Dog Memorial
March Field Air Museum
Riverside, Calif.
A bronze and granite monument 16 feet tall and 10 feet wide depicts a combat-attired GI with a dog at his side. The inscription reads: “They protected us on the field of battle. They watch over our eternal rest. We are grateful.” An identical memorial resides at the National Infantry Museum, Ft. Benning, Columbus, Ga.

Military War Dog Monument
Eisenhower Park
Long Island, N.Y.
On Memorial Day 2008, a monument paying homage to all American military dogs was erected in New York. The inscription reads: “Dedicated to all military K-9s, past, present, future—always loyal, always faithful, forever remembered.”

War Dog Memorial
Bristol Township Municipal Building
Bristol Township, Penn.
This memorial is for dogs from all services and was dedicated in 2004 and sculpted by Joe Pavone.

Alabama War Dogs Memorial
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Mobile, Ala.
Dedicated on Nov. 11, 2008, this four-ton granite slab supports statues depicting a war dog, his handler and other soldiers. The marble back side contains a listing of war dogs that served handlers from Alabama.

War Dog Memorial
Pettis County Courthouse
Sedalia, Mo.
Dedicated in 2003, this memorial reads: “My eyes are your eyes to watch and protect you and yours. My ears are your ears to hear and detect evil minds in the dark. My nose is your nose to scent the invader of your domain and so you may live my life is also yours.”

Doberman War Dog Memorial
Guam
In the battle for Guam (July 21-August 10, 1944) a Doberman named Kurt saved the lives of 250 Marines when he warned them of Japanese troops ahead. He is honored by a life-sized bronze and granite memorial.

Learn the adoption process, adoption application, adoption stories and more.

http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/

Ear Inspections and Cleaning Basics

Ear Cleaning Basics
written by: MeShell~PLP Administrator

http://petloversparadise.ning.com/group/groomingcorner/forum/topic/show?id=2080842%3ATopic%3A121518
Regular ear check-ups and cleaning contributes to healthy ears, free of painful infections. Between grooming appointments pet owners should practice ear health maintenance and check their dog’s ears at least once a week. When pet owners request grooming services, professional groomers include an ear inspection and cleaning. Whether the groomer is giving the dog a bath-only service or a complete styling, ear cleaning and deodorizing is typically be included as part of the basic grooming service fee. A few pet owners may ask for ear cleaning only services.

Many pet owners do not realize that dogs can grow hair in the ear canal, even large amounts common to some Poodles and Terriers, as well as other breeds. For this reason, many owners never check their dog ears unless the dog is shaking or scratching its ear(s). By that time there is usually an ear health problem requiring veterinary medical inspection.
Keeping your dog’s ears clean is very important to maintain good health. Many dog insurance plans do cover ear infections for breeds who are known to have problems, such as Cocker Spaniels. Pet health insurance is very useful if you have a breed that is prone to health issues. Compare pet insurance plans to see which is the best choice for you and your dog.

Ear infections “Otitis Externa” may arise from water trapped in the ear canal. The damp environment creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, often leading to painful sensitivity, redness, swelling and infection. Dogs with ear flaps are the most affected since the flaps cut air circulation and trap moisture.

Ear mites may also be present in ear wax. Dogs with this problem often shake their heads and scratch ears. You may be able to locate ear mites by looking at ear wax removed from the affected dog. Under a bright light, spread a sample of ear wax on a piece of white paper, and look for tiny white specks. They are very contagious and will require the owner to treat their pet for ear mites for over 3 weeks. Insecticides kill the adult mites only, so repeat applications are in order. Based on the life cycle of mites, treatment usually consists of applying insecticide for 7 days, then waiting 10 days for baby mites to mature. Groomers seeing the evidence of ear mites should recommend veterinary inspection for a determination of whether there the dog is infested, and for treatment.

Accumulations of wax and a lack of air circulation can lead to ear canker. Canker infection often causes a dark-colored discharge and foul odor. The pet requires veterinary inspection of the condition.

Some dogs scratch their ears as a result of allergies; they should be inspected and treated by veterinarians.

Sometimes groomers will discover weeds and other organic matter in ears. In fact, some weeds can work their way down into the ear canal and cause serious, even life-threatening conditions. On the West Coast of the U.S. the infamous “foxtail” weed finds its way into the ears of thousands of dogs every year, even cutting into the fleshy skin between feet pads and posing a serious health threat.

Professional groomers understand the serious nature of ear problems and always ensure that pet owners are advised of any suspect conditions and recommend veterinary inspection.

Procedures Before Ear Cleaning

Inspect every dog’s ears for potential problems before proceeding with ear cleaning procedures. Be prepared to record written descriptions of any suspect conditions so that you may report them accurately to pet owners and veterinarians.

Realize that some dogs may have very little or no hair to remove from their ears. However, almost all dogs will require some excess wax and dirt removal from their ears and ear flaps as noted below.
Common ear problem signs are:

- Head shaking and ear scratching.
- Ears sensitive to touch.
- Discharges and powerful odors.
- Hematomas (blood blisters) on the ear flap.
- Swelling and skin redness.
- Melanomas (tumors).

When you discover serious ear problems you may choose to gently clean the exterior area of the ear of dirt, wax and other matter, and contact the owner and suggest immediate veterinary care. Other groomers stop all ear cleaning and suggest the pet owner to seek immediate veterinary care, especially when the pet is in distress.

Sterilize any tools that you have used during the cleaning process, actually a process you should do between all ear cleanings as well.

Ear Cleaning Tools & Supplies

Grooming suppliers normally stock all the tools and supplies required for dog ear cleaning.
You will need the following tools and supplies for the ear cleaning procedure. Carefully read and follow instructions supplied with all products before using them.

· Hemostat (sterilized before and after each procedure).
· Commercial medicated ear powder (deodorizer too).
· Commercial ear cleaning solution.
· Cotton (sterile medical grade preferred).

Do not use Q-Tips or alcohol.

Canine Leptospirosis Is On The Rise!!!

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal bacterial disease that affect people and animals. It is more common in the summer months and contaminated water is a main source of the disease.

In people signs of Leptospirosis include fever, chills, tremors, muscle pain and headache. Other signs like conjunctivitis, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes can also be seen. Meningitis, jaundice, renal failure, hemorrhage, or shock may develop in severe cases. Fortunately, mild leptospirosis with vague, flu-like symptoms that follow recovery is more common.

Animals and people can become infected while drinking, swimming or playing in water contaminated with urine of infected subjects.

The disease also can be transmitted through direct contact with urine, blood or tissues. The bacteria can enter through wet or slightly injured skin and intact mucus membranes, but it is generally not transmitted from person to person.

In dogs, Leptospirosis is an acute infection of the kidney and liver and, sometime, the whole body. Chronic kidney disease is a common sequella of infection. Infected females may become infertile or have persistent abortions.

Vague or mild signs contribute to under diagnosis but recent studies suggests that the prevalence of leptospirosis among dogs is on the rise. Herding, working, and gundog breed categories and sexually intact male dogs appear to be at the greatest risk.

There are many kinds of Leptospira, which make vaccinations difficult. Most dogs are routinely vaccinated for the major two types of the bacterium. It is important to note that since wildlife are a common reserve of Leptospira (rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, hedgehogs, voles, opossum, mole, hedgehog, fox, woodchuck, muskrats, deer and fox), and neighboring dogs may be carriers, even the back yard is not a safe place.Avoiding unsafe fresh water reservoirs, practicing pest and rodent control and providing adequate vaccinations significantly reduces the risk of contracting leptospirosis by your dogs and your family.

Your veterinarian can help you address the issue and provide you with more specific information.

Here is a link to another article that is very informative and goes into great detail about the disease, causes, and vaccinations.

http://www.labbies.com/lepto.htm

Warning! Poisonous Cocoa Mulch — Deadly to Dogs

Please tell every dog or cat owner you know. Even if you don’t have a pet, please pass this to those who do.

Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn’t acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk . Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company’s website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey’s, and they claim that ‘It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won’t eat it.’

This Snopes site gives the following information:http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

<http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp>

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman’s Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called ‘ Theobromine‘. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker’s chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

PLEASE GIVE THIS THE WIDEST DISTRIBUTION!!!

February is National Dental Health Month

Each year, February is designated as Pet Dental Health month by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Veterinary Dental Society, and Hill’s Pet Food.

Keeping your pet’s teeth and gums in good shape has many more benefits than simply fresh breath (although that is important, too!).

We know that  dental disease  affects the whole body, too. Bacteria from these inflamed oral areas can enter the bloodstream and affect major body organs. The liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs are most commonly affected.

Dog Dental Facts
		Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at about three to four weeks of age. They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about four months.
		Symptoms of gum disease in dogs include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line, inflamed gums and persistent bad breath.
		Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs. Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS). Periodontal disease is a common problem in dogs, particularly smaller breeds. Cats can develop painful resorptive lesions. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime. Oral disease begins with a buildup of bacteria in the pet´s mouth Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formulations that accumulate on the tooth. As bacteria grow in the plaque and as calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar. Bacterial plaque is the most important substrate in the development of periodontal disease. The inflammation and destruction that accompanies periodontal disease results from the direct action of bacteria and their by-products on periodontal tissues as well as the indirect activation of the host immune response. Without proper preventive or therapeutic care, plaque and tartar buildup leads to periodontal disease, which affects the tissues and structures supporting the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause oral pain, dysfunction, tooth loss and systemic complications. Tartar has a contributory role due to its roughened surface, which enhances bacterial attachment and further plaque development, and also irritates gingival tissues. Periodontitis may lead to other health problems Periodontal disease causes red, swollen and tender gums, receding gums, bleeding, pain and bad breath. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss. The inflammation and infection associated with periodontal disease may damage other organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys, or lead to other serious health problems. Pet owners should look for warning signs of oral disease Common indications of oral disease include bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth and depression. If any of these signs are present, the pet should be taken to the veterinarian for a dental exam. Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs. The good news is that pet owners can reduce the risk of oral disease by following American Veterinary Dental Society recommendations The first step in preventing oral disease is a routine physical examination including a dental exam. Pet owners should practice a regular dental care regimen at home, which may include brushing the pet´s teeth with specially formulated toothpaste. It´s best to start early, but grown dogs and cats can learn to tolerate brushing. Toothpaste for humans is not recommended because it may upset the pet´s stomach. Schedule regular follow-up care with your family veterinarian and ask about specially formulated foods with proven benefits in plaque and tartar removal.

Did you know there is a vaccination for your dog against Periodontitis???

Porphyromonas Denticanis-Gulae-Salivosa Bacterin*(Porphyromonas Vaccine)

Did you know that more than 85% of dogs older than 3 have a painful and damaging disease called Periodontitis!
Periodontal disease is caused by a bacteria called Porphyromonas, which lives in the palque build-up on your pet’s teeth. This bacterium is not professionally removed will damage the tooth’s structural support such as the tooth and the gum.

Now in addition to your dental program already, we have a new vaccine called Porphyromonas vaccine, which will help kill the bacteria living in your dogs mouth.  This vaccine aids in the prevention of periodontal disease, it will not prevent periodontal disease alone.  Daily brushing and professional dental prophylaxis are needed to maintain the best oral health possible.
Product Description

The Porphyromonas Denticanis-Gulae-Salivosa Bacterin is approved for the vaccination of healthy dogs as an aid in preventing periodontitis, as demonstrated by a reduction in bone changes (osteolysis/osteosclerosis).

Advantages

• Porphyromonas Denticanis-Gulae-Salivosa Bacterin is the first and only vaccine to aid in the prevention of canine periodontitis which affects 85% of dogs over 3 years of age.¹
• This product is an important new adjunct to professional dental cleaning, periodontal therapy and owner-administrated dental care routines.
• The Porphyromonas Vaccine is part of a complete canine wellness program that encourages annual visits.
• Safety of the vaccine was evaluated in laboratory studies and a field safety study.

Key Features

• Inactivated P. denticanis, P. gulae and P. salivosa bacterin (liquid form)
• Adjuvant to enhance immune response
• Primary vaccination—two doses, three week apart
• Twenty-five 1 mL doses per carton
• Adminster 1 mL subcutaneously

Directions

• General Directions: Vaccination of healthy dogs is recommended. Shake well. Aspetically administer 1 mL subcutaneously.
• Primary Vaccination: Healthy dogs should receive 2 doses administered 3 weeks apart.
• Revaccination: Duration of immunity for this product has not been determined; six and twelve month intervals are being evaluated.

* Notice: This product license is conditional. Efficacy and/or potency of this product have not been fully demonstrated, consultation with a veterinarian is recommended.

Swiffer WetJet Poses Danger to Pets…FALSE!!!

Lately there has been alot of questions and passing of letters written by pet owners claiming the Swiffer WetJet has caused kidney failure and there pets have passed on. Some of these letters to get the word out even claim that snopes.com has verified the dangers of this household cleaner attaching a link to the letter. This is so far from the truth. This product is safe and contains many of the same ingredients many of your other household cleaners contain. Please take a moment and read snopes.com explanation to be more informed on this product along w/others.

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/swiffer.asp

NOW YOU KNOW THE TRUTH!!

HSUS Off To Fast Start In 2009

Beware Bills Introduced In NJ, NY, ME, FL, MN, IL, CA, CO, VA, MT

And Expect Legislation Soon In TX, MA, WI, MI, IN, OH, OK, AZ, NM

by JOHN YATES

American Sporting Dog Alliance

http://www.americansportingdogalliance.org

asda@csonline.net

This article is archived at: http://eaglerock814.proboards107.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=16

Dog owners will face unprecedented and potentially devastating challenges in 2009, and it will take dedication and commitment to protect our rights. Sitting on the sidelines simply is not an option. It will take standing up and making your voice count.

The radical Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), buoyed by the victories of 95% of the state and federal candidates it endorsed in the November general election, has struck quickly in 2009 with legislation in 10 states that would severely restrict the rights of dog owners. Our sources also tell us that HSUS-anointed legislation will be introduced shortly in at least nine more states.

HSUS has launched this full-court press in only three weeks, and dog owners must act quickly and decisively or they will be overwhelmed.

However, there is some good news. This week, dog owners won the first two rounds in Virginia and Montana with the sound defeat of mandatory spay/neuter and breed-specific legislation.

In Virginia, HSUS and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were strongly in support of Senate Bill 1151, which would have mandated the spaying or neutering of any dog taken to an animal shelter for a second time. The legislation was killed this week by the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee by an 8-6 vote.

This bill would have had a strong impact on hunting dogs, especially, and would have opened the door to many animal rights group kidnappings of hunting and companion dogs. Animal rights group kidnappings are becoming more common, and their goal is to take dogs to distant animal shelters were they will be euthanized.

In Montana, HSUS attempted to ram through breed-specific legislation after its usual media bombardment of inflammatory news stories, but it was killed in committee by a 17-1 vote after a reported 150 dog owners attended a hearing to voice opposition. Only three people spoke in favor of the bill.

While breed-specific legislation most often is seen as about pit bulls, many local ordinances have extended it to several other breeds ranging from Rottweilers to German shepherds. Moreover, the American Sporting Dog Alliance is concerned about this kind of legislation because we see hunting breeds as next on the list of HSUS targets. Animal rights group websites frequently and falsely portray hunting dogs as vicious, some states are seriously considering banning or restricting hunting with hounds, and all hunting breeds were targeted specifically in failed federal legislation just two years ago.

HSUS-inspired legislation introduced in eight other states would affect all people who raise dogs. Those states are New York, New Jersey, Maine, Florida, Minnesota, Colorado, Illinois and California. Legislation also will be introduced soon in Texas, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance is taking an active and aggressive role to defeat this legislation, which takes aim at people who raise dogs as an avocation and reflects the HSUS agenda of working toward the complete elimination of domestic animal ownership in America. We are urging dog owners to join with us to work to defeat this dangerous legislation.

Here is a synopsis of the legislation that has been introduced in each state:

New York

It looks like HSUS has learned a new trick in New York and trying for a rerun on an old one.

Legislation has been introduced that would require every dog and every dog owner to complete certified obedience training as a condition of licensing. Another bill would mandate microchipping of all dogs in order to get a license for them.. Assembly Member Jose Peralta (D-Queens) introduced both bills.

AB 1540 mandates obedience training and certification. No dog could be licensed without an obedience training certificate, and no owner could buy a dog license without undergoing training. Ironically, Peralta exempts residents of his own city from the legislation.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance strongly opposes this kind of legislation, which places a substantial burden on dog owners, bears no relationship to the realities of most dog ownership, is a solution in search of a problem, will result in a decrease in rabies and licensing law compliance, and will cause many pets to be abandoned when their owners cant afford the services of a certified school.

Obedience courses are not available in many rural areas, and certification inevitably leads toward favoritism toward certain methods of training that are not endorsed by many dog owners. In addition, many dog owners are skilled trainers themselves and have no need for such services.

In many urban areas, a basic obedience course costs $1,000 or more. No evidence is shown that would justify imposing this kind of burden on the vast majority of dog owners. Moreover, many people simply will not be able to afford to provide this kind of training, especially in todays poor economy, and this will force people to abandon their pets or fly under the radar without licensing their dogs or obtaining rabies vaccinations.

Here is a link to the text of this bill: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A01540&sh=t

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The second bill, AB 255, requires all dogs in New York to be microchipped by the age of four months.

In addition, a state registry would be created for microchip data for every dog in the state and their owners.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance strongly opposes mandatory microchipping, which is controversial among some dog owners. Other options are available, such as name tags or tattoos. We also strongly oppose creating a state registry, which allows animal control agencies to go on a fishing expedition to enforce a variety of other laws, and thus invades the privacy of everyone without cause.

Here is a link to the text of this bill: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A00255&sh=t

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Both bills have been referred to the Assemblys Agriculture Committee. We urge New York dog owners to contact Agriculture Committee members to voice strong opposition. Here is a link to members of the committee: http://assembly.state.ny.us/comm/?sec=mem&id=2

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We also are studying two other pieces of New York legislation.

The first is a bill redefining a pet dealer in a way that might lead to including hobby breeders. Last year, failed legislation would have brought all hobby breeders under strict pet dealer regulations. This years legislation creates some ambiguity in this regard, but basically does little to change the law. This alarms us, as it might lead to an attempt to make amendments on the floor similar to last years bill. Here is a link:http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A01377&sh=t

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The second bill, AB 2069 would impose stringent regulations on boarding kennels, which include training kennels and day care services. It is a backdoor approach to regulation, because it is based on health code compliance (not on animal law) and requires health department inspection and certification.

We see much potential to harm kennel owners without any good reason from this approach, which also creates a new and cumbersome level of bureaucracy.

We are very alarmed that this legislation is both an attempt to redefine animal care as a public health issue, and to give health inspectors unrestricted access to kennels when there is no proof of any relationship between kennels and human health concerns in the community. We see it as an attempt to add another unjustified regulatory burden on kennel owners.

Here is a link to the legislation: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A02069&sh=t

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New Jersey

New Jersey dog owners are facing one of the toughest and most restrictive pieces of breeding legislation in history this year, and a second bill will have a heavy impact on lost hunting dogs.

Anyone who sells five or more dogs, cats, puppies or kittens in a year would have to be licensed and inspected as a commercial breeder and also as a pet dealer, which means facing Draconian restrictions and truly devastating fines and penalties.

That translates into a person having only one litter of puppies a year, in most cases. Even hobby breeding of the smallest possible scale would be unable to survive this legislation.

The legislation also pays snitches to turn in breeders, and the reward can be in the thousands of dollars.

AB 1591 is sponsored by Assemblywomen Joan M. Voss (D-Bergen) and Dawn Marie Addieggo (D-Burlington). It is before the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.

A breeder is defined as anyone who sells five or more dogs and cats a year. A pet dealer is defined as anyone who sells even one dog or cat for use as pets. A breeding facility is defined as a building or kennel, including a home, where two or more dogs or cats are kept for breeding.

Those definitions snag up everyone who raises dogs, and many people who simply keep a couple of dogs for hunting or pets.

The law also prohibits anyone from selling more than 25 dogs and/or cats a year, and specifically bans brother-sister matings.

Every word in the bill is inspired by HSUS and its agenda to eliminate animal ownership in America.

Every breeder (thats you) must register with the Department of Health, which the legislations specifically says will develop regulations and standards of care through working closely with the radical HSUS. The bill says that the regulations also will cover spaying and neutering. Specific care and kenneling requirements also are covered. Extensive paperwork, veterinary examinations, and guarantees to buyers also are required.. A veterinarian must inspect and perform stool tests on every dog or puppy no longer than 14 days before a sale.

Anyone who buys or sells a dog without the proper New Jersey license, or who violates any of the above provisions, is subject to civil penalties of up to $10,000, heavy fines and imprisonment.

Even a first offense for a minor technical violation will result in a $5,000 civil penalty, fines and a ban against selling a dog or cat for five years. Someone who buys a dog or cat from an unlicensed breeder faces a $1,000 penalty for the first offense.

Accused dog owners will be denied their constitutional right to a day in court. They will be allowed only an administrative hearing before the same agency that charged them.

A frightening provision is that anyone who turns in a breeder will get 10-percent of the civil penalty as a reward, but not less than $250. Snitching by animal rights fanatics could become full-time and lucrative jobs in New Jersey if this bill passes!

Here is a link to the actual legislation: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A2000/1591_I1.HTM

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The American Sporting Dog Alliance strongly urges all New Jersey dog owners to contact members of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee to voice clear opposition to this terrible legislation, which will destroy a lifetime of work by many of the most dedicated and high quality hobby breeders in America.

Here is a link to the committee members contact information:http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/committees/ShowCommittee..asp

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New Jersey dog owners also face a second piece of bad legislation, AB 1568, which requires all dogs taken to an animal shelter to be sterilized before they are reclaimed by their owners.

This legislation will have a strong impact if a dog gets lost while hunting and is taken to an animal shelter by a good Samaritan, is found by an animal control officer or is kidnapped by an animal rights activist.

Exemptions are possible only for currently active show dogs or show champions. No exemption is provided for field trial, performance or hunting dogs.

In addition, a dog can meet the requirements for being spayed only by having a tattoo put on its belly by a veterinarian.

AB 1568 is sponsored by Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein (D- Mercer and Middlesex). Its committee assignment has not been published.

Here is a link to the text of AB 1568: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A2000/1568_I1.HTM

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Maine

Maines animal control director, Norma Worley, has clearly established herself as a staunch supporter of animal rights who is pursuing a personal crusade against people who raise dogs. There have been numerous reports of confrontational approaches to dog owners and heavy-handed enforcement since Worleys appointment, and her writing and comments quoted in newspapers closely echoes HSUS position papers. She also uses the same derogatory labels as HSUS to describe people who raise dogs.

Worley rammed restrictive draft legislation through a task force, and now has presented it to the Legislature. The task force made few changes in the draft legislation prepared by Worley, and she wrote a report to the Legislature that ignored the views of most dog ownership advocates and made it falsely appear that they concurred. The attached minority reports recommended even tougher laws, and the Maine Federation of Dog Clubs refused to submit a minority report because of the biased nature of the participants and process.

This legislation would strip away dog owners constitutional rights to due process and equal treatment under the law, and eliminate constitutional requirements for search warrants, seizure warrants and appeals to a court of law. It is typical of all HSUS-backed legislation, which is designed to reduce dog owners to the status of second-class citizens.

Dog and kennel owners also would have their license costs increased dramatically, in order to pay for hiring many more enforcement personnel and funding a bureaucracy that recklessly overspent its budget by $600,000 last year. Worley claims that this extra money was needed to care for dogs that were seized, but we cant imagine how it would cost $600,000 to provide short-term care for fewer than 300 dogs and cats. That would be more than $2,000 per animal!

The draft legislation requires anyone who owns five or more dogs to get a kennel license and be inspected by the state. Hunting and field trial dogs were mentioned specifically in this requirement.

Anyone who owns more than five female dogs that have not been spayed would be classified as a breeding kennel, subject to intensive regulation and inspection. Hunting, show, sled dog and field trial kennels would be exempt from this requirement, but only if they are municipally licensed and offer fewer than 16 dogs for sale in the year.

Anyone who sells even one dog would be classified as a vendor. They are required to follow complex disclosure rules to buyers, offer contractual guarantees, and have a veterinarian examine each dog or puppy that is sold.

Please read Worleys report and the proposed legislation, which is located about midway through the document: http://www.fedmedogclubs.org/info%20flyers/Final2010rpt.pdf

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Worley sent the proposed legislation to the Legislatures Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. The American Sporting Dog Alliance is urging Maine dog owners to contact each member of this committee and tell them why you are opposed to the legislation. Here is a link that lists all committee members: http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/jt_com/acf.htm

. Each name links to a page with contact information.

FLORIDA

Almost every dog and cat in Florida would have to be spayed or neutered under the terms of House Bill 451.

Sterilization would have to be done within 30 days of an animal reaching four months of age, which is an age that much recent research has shown may be medically dangerous.

The only exceptions would be for severe medical risks, or if a municipality passes an ordinance that allows dogs registered with an approved registry to be licensed as a show animal, an animal actively engaged in competition, a guide dog, or a dog used by police officers or the military. Certain registries, such as Field Dog Stud Book, have not been approved in any place that has mandatory spay/neuter laws.

No dog or cat could be bred in Florida, except by virtue of a county ordinance allowing the sale of a breeding permit.

In the absence of a county ordinance, no one could breed a dog or cat in Florida. However, the legislation also allows counties to impose more strict ordinances, and even to ban all dog breeding outright.

Stiff fines are provided, and a third offense becomes a misdemeanor charge with possible jail time.

The preamble to the bill, which describes the reason for it, is based on several faulty or inaccurate presumptions. None of the stated reasons have been documented, and much research contradicts several of them.

Floridas legislative session officially begins in March, and it is not known at this time what committee will get HB 451. It was introduced by Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orange County.

Here is a link to the actual legislation:http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0451__.xml&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0451&Session=2009

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We also urge all Floridians to contact their own legislator and express your opposition to this legislation. Here is a link page for each legislators contact information:http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/representatives.aspx

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Illinois

Illinois House Bill 0198 is one of the most repressive and malicious pieces of animal rights legislation ever introduced in America. It takes aim at people who are hobby breeders of hunting dogs and other breeds of purebred dogs.

Anyone who owns more than three intact females and sells puppies would be classified as a commercial breeding kennel, subject to high fees for licensure, rigorous inspections, the forfeiture of several constitutional protections, mandatory fingerprinting and criminal background checks by the state police and Federal Bureau of Investigation, forfeiture of the right to redress in a court of law, heavy loads of paperwork, unworkable standards of care, and the forcible invasion of personal and financial records.

In addition, no one would be permitted to keep or own more than 20 dogs that are not spayed or neutered. No dog could be bred unless it is inspected by a veterinarian. Also, people would not be able to raise a litter of puppies inside their home if other adult dogs are present. It would be illegal to keep more than three dogs together, which would apply to the number of dogs kept inside a home, ban the common practice of kenneling a pack of hounds together and eliminate large fenced lots to allow young dogs to get plenty of exercise.

There also is an ambiguous provision that requires the state to pass judgment on the qualifications of a kennel license applicant before issuing a license. This would be an entirely subjective judgment by the kennel inspector, as the legislation does not define adequate qualifications.

Only veterinarians could euthanize a dog, which causes terrible suffering and agony if a veterinarian cannot be located quickly.

Dog owners also could face heavy fines and loss of licenses for irrelevant violations, such as surface rust on wires, a few cobwebs, a knocked over water bowl or chipped paint. Temperature requirements would make it impossible for people to acclimate hunting, herding and performance dogs to weather conditions, thus creating danger for the dogs. Fine and civil penalties would multiply exponentially, and even minor offenses have the potential to destroy a dog owner financially and cause the loss of her or his home and lifetime savings.

The legislation also contains numerous powers to seize dogs, or to require their owners to turn them over to an animal shelter within seven days of license revocation, or if a dog owner is incorrectly licensed.

This legislation, which is clearly out of the HSUS playbook, is being sponsored by State Rep. John A. Fritchey

(D-Chicago). It has been cosponsored by Reps. Angelo Saviano

, Deborah Mell

,Jack D. Franks

, Daniel J. Burke

, Greg Harris

, Michael J. Zalewski

, JoAnn D. Osmond

, Keith Farnham

, Lou Lang

and Harry Osterman

(click on a name for a link to a contact page). Its Senate counterpart, SB 53, will be sponsored by Sen. Dan Kotowski

(D- Mt. Prospect).

The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee. The House has not yet completed committee assignments, and the names of committee members are not yet available.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance urges Illinois dog owners to contact their senator and representative to voice opposition to HB 0198 and SB 53 to voice their opposition. In addition, we ask dog owners to contact the bills cosponsors to ask them to withdraw their support for the legislation.

The bills formal name is the Dog Breeders License Act. HSUS and other animal rights groups are nicknaming it Chloes Bill, for a dog allegedly rescued from an Illinois puppy mill.

HSUS has focused many of its resources on Illinois, and recently named a new State Director, attorney Jordan Matyas. We have received confirmed reports that Rep. Fritchey is sending correspondence about this bill directly to Matyas, and the replies to constituents are coming directly from HSUS.

Propaganda for the bill makes it sound like legislation to stop poorly operated commercial kennels, which have been dubbed puppy mills by HSUS. However, the bill actually targets small scale hobby breeders of purebred dogs. Large commercial kennels already are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the State of Illinois, and all kennels are under the jurisdiction of state animal cruelty laws.

Matyas and his cronies also continue to spread their agenda of canine destruction in neighboring Wisconsin and Indiana, which are expected to see similar legislation very soon, and in the City of Chicago.

Chicago

We are receiving some indications that a strong response from dog owners and veterinarians has put a proposed citywide spay and neuter mandate on the ropes. This ordinance, which is focused on destroying hobbyists in the city, has been a top priority for HSUS, Matyas and their allies from the wealthy and powerful PAWS animal rights group in Chicago.

The animal rights groups were stung by support for dog owners from the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (ISVMA), and also by research by the American Sporting Dog Alliance, which shows the incredible success of the citys sheltering program. The success of Chicagos animal shelters has come very close to the ideal of not killing any healthy and adoptable animals, and destroys much of the rationale for the ordinance.

The CVMA and ISVMA have taken strong and courageous stances against the proposed ordinance, as have several animal sheltering and rescue organizations. Here is a link to some of these position statements: http://www.chicagovma.org/legislative/

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In essence, a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance compromises the relationship between a veterinarian and patient.

For government to mandate veterinarians to perform certain medical procedures also is a violation of at least two provisions of the American Veterinary Medical Association Code of Ethics, as was a requirement in the original proposed ordinance that would require veterinarians to report people who own dogs that are not spayed or neutered, documents show.

In addition, many veterinarians and dog owners oppose universal spay/neuter mandates because much of the most recent research shows elevated risks of serious and potentially fatal medical conditions from pet sterilization, especially at an early age. Because of this, veterinarians believe that the decision should be made on an individual basis by weighing benefits and risks as part of the client/patient/veterinarian relationship.

Veterinarians and sheltering group leaders also say that the proposed ordinance is very divisive and will harm the kind of community support that is needed to continue with the success of Chicagos animal shelter alliance.

Aldermen Ed Burke and Ginger Rugai proposed the ordinance, and HSUS, Matyas and PAWS are its major proponents.

PAWS has even attempted to use strong-arm tactics against the veterinarians, by strongly hinting that it will ask its supporters to boycott any individual veterinarian who doesnt support the ordinance.

Because of the veterinarians opposition, HSUS and the two aldermen have backpedaled on some of the requirements of the initial proposal. A revised ordinance draft removes the requirement for veterinarians to turn in their patients who have not sterilized their pets. In other communities that have passed sterilization mandates, compliance with rabies vaccination and licensing laws has plummeted because of the requirement to report violations.

However, the revised ordinance has not changed the requirement for pet owners to prove that their animals have been sterilized to get a license. In other communities, this has caused a dramatic decrease in licensing revenues, and the Los Angeles animal control program has become bankrupted since a spay/neuter ordinance was passed a year ago, and doesnt have enough money to enforce it or even to operate its animal shelters now.

Other changes in the revised ordinance are softened language about the alleged health benefits of sterilization (which has been seriously questioned by much recent research), a greater emphasis on preventing dog fighting and dog attacks (even though research indicates that this is questionable, at best), and the elimination of heavy fines for a third offense.

It is clear that the real purpose of the ordinance has nothing to do with its stated purposes. Instead, it is directed at law-abiding people who raise dogs.

Existing city ordinances prohibit allowing a dog to roam, and dog attacks would be addressed if they are enforced. It is not directed at dangerous dogs, as Illinois already has a strong dangerous dog law. Nor is it directed at dog fighting, as Illinois law makes this a felony, and only about seven percent of the dogs in America are from pit bull breeds and crosses. Nor is it directed against criminals and the drug culture, as an existing Illinois law forbids most convicted felons of possessing a dog that has not been spayed or neutered and microchipped, or which has been shown to be dangerous.

The ordinance is directed against law-abiding dog owners. It requires all dogs and cats over six months of age to be sterilized. Exceptions are made for show and competition dogs, although the Catch 22 is that no registry meets the requirements. A dog can be bred, but only if the owner is willing to pay a fee of $100 per dog, keep extensive paperwork and submit to a background check.

It also ignores the fact that 70-percent of the dogs in America already are sterilized.

And it ignores the fact that Chicago already has serious budget problems and cannot adequately fund the animal control and shelter program.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance urges Chicagoans to contact their alderman to voice opposition to this proposed ordinance. Here is a link to the web pages of each of the aldermen, where you will find contact information: http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/portalProgramAction.do?programId=536879154&channelId=-536879035&topChannelName=Government

Also, please contact local organizers to coordinate with us and a newly forming Chicago group that is opposed to the ordinance. They are Karen Perry (ouilmette4@sbcglobal.net), Margo Milde (mrm1206@yahoo.com), Michele Smith (msmith@cmscrescue.com) and Ami Moore (DOGDORIGHT@aol.com).

We hope that Chicago City Council takes a long hard look at other cities that have passed spay/neuter mandates recently, such as Fort Worth, which saw rabies compliance plummet and rabies cases soar before it scrapped the ordinance; Louisville, which faces a federal lawsuit, and brutal home invasions to enforce the ordinance have led to the destruction of the private animal rescue network; several cities which saw shelter admissions and euthanasia rates soar while license revenues fell; and most of all to Los Angeles (see below).

California

Animal rights groups in California were soundly defeated last year when they attempted to get a statewide law mandating pet sterilization, and its key proponent in the legislature was trounced in the November election. Thats not surprising, as a Parade Magazine poll last year showed that 91-percent of the people oppose sterilization mandates.

This year they are trying to take their failed doctrine to the local level again, starting with Santa Barbara and Riverside counties.

But they dont want to talk about Los Angeles, which passed a spay/neuter mandate a year ago and created a disaster zone for animals and taxpayers alike. Since the ordinance was introduced, shelter admission and euthanasia rates have soared far beyond the level created by the mortgage foreclosure crisis, and declining license revenues have driven the citys animal control agency into bankruptcy, documents show.

The situation has become so critical that Los Angeles Controller Laura Chick urged the mayor and city council to privatize the sheltering program, in a letter dated December 22, 2008. Chick pointed out that the animal control budget increased from $16.2 million in FY 2005-06 to $22 million in FY 2007-08, in order to pay operating expenses and the salaries of 300 employees. In addition, she wrote, the city is paying off bond issues to build and repair animal shelters at the rate of $12.4 million a year.

This is balanced against revenues of only $2.8 million, which now are in steep decline because of major losses in licensing revenues following the ordinance.

Widespread employee layoffs and animal shelter closures have been discussed, and Chick said no money is available to enforce the spay/neuter and other animal ordinances, or to perform many other public services.

Chick suggested turning the animal shelter program over to private nonprofit groups, which can operate them much more economically and efficiently, her letter shows. The city would provide the animal shelter facilities at no charge, and the private groups would operate them.

What happened in Los Angeles also underscores the murderous intent of animal rights groups toward dogs and cats. On one hand, it is widely documented that spay/neuter mandates invariably cause major increases in animal shelter admission and euthanasia rates for several years. They kill innocent dogs and cats unnecessarily!

But the current economic situation in California further underscores the brutality of the animal rights agenda.

At a time when many pet owners are losing their homes or facing job losses, anyone who cares about animals should be showing compassion for both dogs and their owners. Anyone who cares should be doing everything possible to keep pets in their homes, or to provide short-term fostering programs until people get back on their feet and can reunite with their pets.

Instead, Los Angeles has passed an ordinance that will make it much harder for people to keep their pets in a tough economy, or if they have lost their homes.

The dogs are paying the price.

In Los Angeles, passage of the ordinance reversed a 10-year-long rapid decline in shelter admission and euthanasia rates, and this needless destruction of a successful sheltering program has been exacerbated by the economic crisis.

Shelter admission and euthanasia rates continued to fall for the first six months of the most recent fiscal year, despite the rapidly worsening foreclosure crisis, but this progress was destroyed in the six months following the ordinances introduction by skyrocketing shelter admission and euthanasia rates..

Shelter admissions declined steadily from 34,692 in 2001-02 to 25,553 in 2006-07, but shot up 19-percent to 30,513 following passage of the ordinance. All of the increase occurred in the six months after the ordinance was introduced. Undoubtedly some of this increase is the result of the foreclosure crisis, but Californias housing economy has been in deep trouble for most of this period when shelter rates continued to improve.

The euthanasia rate rose even more steeply since the ordinance was passed, by 22-percent, from 6,070 to 7,414. Once again, the entire increase occurred after the ordinance was introduced. This follows a steady decline from 17,509 in 2001-02 to 6,070 in 2006-07.

The good news is that adoptions increased by 30-percent and owner-reclaimed rates rose by 10-percent. But the bad news is the divisiveness of the ordinance within the animal welfare community, which caused rescues to decline somewhat in the six months after the ordinance was passed.

Santa Barbara

Now its Santa Barbaras turn to face the brutality of the animal rights agenda, as a task force created to provide non-mandatory ways to reduce shelter populations and euthanasia has become a stacked deck of people who want to bring the failed and discredited policy of mandatory pet sterilization to this county. We hope the county supervisors are wise enough to learn from the mistakes of Los Angeles and several other cities.

Dog owners on the task force may get some help to counterbalance the presence of Dr. Ron Faoro, the groups chairman. Faoro strongly supports mandatory pet sterilization and has rode roughshod over the committee on several occasions.

The guest speaker at the Feb.18 task force meeting will be noted California veterinarian John A. Hamil. Dr. Hamil, who has spent a lifetime studying animal shelter admission and euthanasia issues, is strongly opposed to spay and neuter mandates. Hamil says mandatory measures make the problems worse, not better, and also are undesirable or counterproductive for several other reasons.

Here is a link to Dr. Hamils views about the defeated statewide mandate:http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/05/former-cvma-head-speaks-out-against-mandatory-spayneuter-law/

.. He is very articulate and knows what he is talking about.

Task force members have been denied access to needed statistical data to put shelter and euthanasia numbers in perspective. After several years of miraculous success, Santa Barbaras sheltering system saw large increases in both shelter admissions and euthanasia rates in the past year. Those increases are generally attributed to the economy, and the foreclosure crisis has hit Santa Barbara especially hard.

Data has been concealed about why the euthanasia rate has increased by more than 2.5 times the admission rate in the first six months of 2008. Admissions went up by 554, or 14-percent, but euthanasia increased 313, or 35-percent.

This simply does not make sense, except as a deliberate policy decision to kill more animals. The situation is made even more inexplicable because owner redemptions increased by 4.9 percent and adoptions increased by 12-percent.

Data also has not been made available to allow analysis of the admissions rates, such as a projected increase in enforcement, and the actual reasons why owners are surrendering dogs. Effective decisions are not possible without this information, which is being kept from the task force and public by animal services department personnel.

All of the evidence shows that a spay/neuter mandate will make shelter and animal control problems worse during economic hard times when many people are losing their homes and jobs.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance is preparing a strategy to address these economic problems compassionately and effectively. Our proposals will include tax credits and rebates for people who adopt dogs and cats from animal shelters and rescue groups, tax incentives for people who are willing to provide temporary foster care or rescue services for displaced pets, exempting people who foster or rescue from pet limit and other animal control laws, and changing state funding formulas to penalize shelter programs that kill healthy and adoptable animals when all other alternatives have not been explored.

Minnesota

Two years ago, Minnesota dog owners had a close call with devastating animal rights legislation that was narrowly defeated in the legislature.

Its back, and HSUS is throwing its full weight behind it.

SF 7, introduced by Sen. Don Betzold (D-Fridley), has been introduced into the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Committee.

This bill exempts what it calls hobby breeders, which means someone who has fewer than six intact females over six months old.

But it includes most people who actually are hobby breeders in real life, most of whom own at least six intact females, even though they may not be used for breeding in any year. Numbers add up quickly when retired dogs, older puppies, dogs being evaluated, dogs in competition, hunting dogs, breeding dogs and just plain pets are counted.

Most hobby breeders would have to undergo extensive licensing investigations, inspections (possibly including a veterinarian, police officer or animal cruelty officer), license fees, paperwork, mandatory microchipping, and standards of care that are vaguely defined.

One standard of care is especially alarming, in that it gives the state the undefined and unlimited power to develop and enforce additional standards the board considers necessary to protect the public health and welfare of animals….

The law also gives the state the power to seize animals when undefined standards of care are not met, and provides civil penalties of up to $5,000 for each alleged deficiency. Criminal charges, fines and imprisonment also are provided for violations.

The right of appeal to a court of law is denied. Instead, an accused dog owner is allowed only an administrative hearing before the state agency that is prosecuting him or her.

Here is a link to the legislation: https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S0007.0..html&session=ls86

.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance is urging all Minnesotans to contact members of the Senate Agriculture and Veterans Committee to voice strong opposition. Here is a link to committee members and contact information: http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/committees/committee_bio.php?cmte_id=1001&ls=#members

.

Colorado

Colorado dog owners face some restrictions under HB 1172, sponsored by Reps. Elizabeth McCann (D-Denver) and Randy Fischer (D-Larimer). HSUS and other animal rights groups are supporting the legislation.

This legislation requires licensing and inspection, limits the number of unsterilized dogs a person may own, and requires a veterinary examination before a dog can be bred.

No dog breeder (including hobby breeders, who are defined as someone who produces fewer than two litters of puppies a year) in Colorado will be able to own or keep more than 25 dogs over six months of age that are not spayed or neutered, if the legislation passes.

In addition, no one would be allowed to breed any dog without an annual veterinary examination and certification of suitable health.

Existing law also was amended to allow inspectors unrestrained access to a dog owners home, kennel, property and records at any time, day or night, upon consent of an administrative search warrant. An administrative warrant circumvents constitutional guarantees of court review of a search warrant application.

Here is a link to the text of this legislation:http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/CLICS2009A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/34F564F4E21607AA8725753C005AD103?Open&file=1172_01.pdf

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HB 1172 is now before the House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance asks Colorado dog owners to contact members of this committee to oppose this legislation as being needlessly intrusive and restrictive.

Committee members are: Representative Curry, Chairman; Representative Fischer, Vice-Chairman; Gardner C., Hullinghorst, Labuda, Looper, McKinley, McNulty, Pace, Solano, Sonnenberg, Tipton and Vigil

Here is a link to contact information for committee members and all other legislators:http://www.leg.state.co.us/Clics/CLICS2009A/csl.nsf/DirectoryHou?openframeset

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Upcoming Legislation

· Texas – Animal rights groups, including several with direct ties to the ultra-radical People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and HSUS, are hoping to take their successes in Texas cities to the state level. Buoyed by their success in ramming through spay/neuter mandates in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, they are backing a bill aimed at all dog breeding statewide. Several organizations, centered around the Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) are pressuring the Legislature to study puppy mill issues, and legislation is in the works to restrict dog breeding statewide. Supporters of dog breeding legislation always claim that it focuses on commercial kennels, which they call puppy mills. But the legislation invariably focuses much more on small hobby breeders in its actual text.

• Wisconsin Dog owners narrowly turned back highly restrictive breeding and lemon law legislation last year that would have devastated hobby breeding of purebred dogs. Animal rights groups have substantial support in the legislature, and have vowed to come back with an even tougher bill this year. Political gains in the Legislature by animal rights groups make Wisconsin ripe for a major push again this year. HSUS is pouring resources into the state.

• Indiana Kennel and breeding legislation is expected here following a major drive by HSUS in the Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan region. Billboards have been spotted in several places, and anti-breeder newspaper articles are proliferating.

• Ohio Dog owners were able to block legislation tightening animal control laws and another bill that would have destroyed hobby breeding in the Buckeye State. However, sponsors and supporters of this legislation vowed to reintroduce it early in the current session. They have stronger support in the Legislature now than they did last year, following the November election.

• Michigan Anti-breeder legislation is expected early here, following withdrawal of devastating legislation late last year after American Sporting Dog Alliance disclosures of the text of the bill, which had been hidden even from its sponsor.

• Massachusetts HSUS has announced that it will try again to get an anti-breeder law passed here.

• Arizona A major push is expected for mandatory spay/neuter legislation here. Residents are battling local legislation in several counties, as well.

• New Mexico Mandatory spay/neuter legislation and overly zealous enforcement of animal cruelty laws are expected here in 2009.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance represents owners, breeders and professionals who work with breeds of dogs that are used for hunting. We also welcome people who work with other breeds, as legislative issues affect all of us. We are a grassroots movement working to protect the rights of dog owners, and to assure that the traditional relationships between dogs and humans maintains its rightful place in American society and life.

The American Sporting Dog Alliance also needs your help so that we can continue to work to protect the rights of dog owners. Your membership, participation and support are truly essential to the success of our mission. We are funded solely by your donations in order to maintain strict independence.

Please visit us on the web at http://www.americansportingdogalliance..org

. Our email isasda@csonline.net.

PLEASE CROSS-POST AND FORWARD THIS REPORT TO YOUR FRIENDS

The American Sporting Dog Alliance
http://www.americansportingdogalliance.org

Please Join Us

Researchers genetically link Lou Gehrig’s disease in humans to Degenerative Myelopathy in dogs

Jan 21 2009, 5:24 PM EST

Researchers genetically link Lou Gehrig’s disease in humans to dog disease

EUREKALERT

Contact: Kelsey Jackson
JacksonKN@missouri.edu
573-882-8353
University of Missouri-Columbia

Discovery could help identify therapy for humans and dogs

COLUMBIA, Mo. An incurable, paralyzing disease in humans is now genetically linked to a similar disease in dogs. Researchers from the University of Missouri and the Broad Institute have found that the genetic mutation responsible for degenerative myelopathy (DM) in dogs is the same mutation that causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the human disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. As a result of the discovery, which will be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week, researchers can now use dogs with DM as animal models to help identify therapeutic interventions for curing the human disease, ALS.

“We uncovered the genetic mutation of degenerative myelopathy, which has been unknown for 30 years, and linked it to ALS, a human disease that has no cure,” said Joan Coates, a veterinary neurologist and associate professor of veterinary medicine and surgery in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. “Dogs with DM are likely to provide scientists with a more reliable animal model for ALS. Also, this discovery will pave the way for DNA tests that will aid dog breeders in avoiding DM in the future.”

Previously, ALS research has relied heavily on transgenic rodents that expressed the mutant human gene SOD1, which causes ALS. Researchers found that dogs with DM also had mutations in their SOD1 gene. Many rodent models possess very high levels of the SOD1 protein that can produce pathologic processes distinct from those occurring in ALS patients. Since the SOD1 mutation is spontaneous in dogs, the clinical spectrum in dogs may represent more accurately that of human ALS.

“Compared with the rodent models for ALS, dogs with DM are more similar to people in size, structure and complexity of their nervous systems, and duration of the disease,” said Gary Johnson, associate professor of veterinary pathobiology in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. “The results from clinical trials conducted with DM-affected dogs may better predict the efficacies of therapeutic interventions for treating ALS in humans.”

ALS causes progressive neurodegeneration, affecting both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The disease leads to advancing weakness and muscle atrophy, and culminates in paralysis and death. DM has been recognized for more than 35 years as a spontaneously occurring, spinal cord disorder in dogs. DM is reported most commonly in German Shepherds but also exists in other breeds, such as Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Boxers. There are no treatments for ALS and DM that clearly have been shown to stop or slow progression of the diseases. Owners of dogs with DM usually elect euthanasia six months to a year after diagnosis when the dogs can no longer support their weight with their pelvic limbs, whereas people with ALS typically progress to the state of complete paralysis and succumb to respiratory failure.

###

The study, “Genome-wide association analysis reveals a SOD1 mutation in canine degenerative myelopathy which resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,” was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week. This study was a collaborative project with MU researchers and Kerstin Lindbld-Toh and Claire Wade, researchers at the Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The study was funded by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and participating breed clubs.

http://www.genengnews.com/news/bnitem.aspx?name=48451295