One of the activities of the IDCBA is to keep track of bills proposed in the Illinois State Legislature that target the entire world of dogs and pets in the state.
Some are good bills, but others, taken together, will completely destroy anyone's ability to enjoy their hobby of breeding dogs or indeed of breeding and sometimes even owning any animal.
If you love your dogs, cats, and pets, your help is needed to battle the well-organized parties behind these maneuvers.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Contact your state and local legislators to let them know of your feelings regarding these bills. Telephone, regular mail, email are all acceptable.
(click here to find who to contact)
Form letters are not as good as individual letters. Be polite and to the point in your letter. You can take ideas on verbiage from some of our "talking points" outlined in the descriptions of the bill(s).
Spread the word to others. Contact from out-of-staters can't hurt, but contact from Illinois residents is the most effective. Click here for a sample letter (provided by the AKC) to personalize.
Get your clubs to write letters too. Letters from organizations representing multiple Illinois voters send a strong statement.
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PLEASE NOTE THAT IF A BILL IS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE IDCBA, WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE THAT CLEAR TO OUR LEGISLATORS.
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HB198 (click here for complete text from the Illinois.gov website)
Representative John Fritchey is sponsoring HB 198, a bill that would regulate dog breeders by limiting the number of dogs they can own and requiring licensing for anyone who maintains three or more females (even if they are not bred) "for the purpose of the sale of their offspring."
The bill would also mandate unannounced inspections, fingerprinting, and require breeders to pay an unspecified license fee.
It is important that ALL fanciers, responsible dog owners, and breeders work together to oppose this burdensome and ineffective legislation.
THE PROMISE: This bill is being touted as helping end puppy mills.
THE TRUTH:
The bill consists of 45 pages of requirements and regulations that are not based on proven animal husbandry practices, nor will they improve the health and welfare of dogs in Illinois.
Breeders are defined as anyone who owns more than 3 un-neutered (assumed thus to be breeding) females whether or not they sell any offspring in any year
- Requires breeders to submit to an annual, unannounced home inspection – for an unspecified fee and to undergo fingerprinting and criminal background checks – for an unspecified fee
- Requires breeders to build facilities to meet rigid engineering standards which exceed those required by the USDA. This will require most breeders to purchase expensive new equipment and build new facilities.
- Breeders would be prohibited from owning more than 20 intact dogs over a year old, regardless of whether the animals are being bred.
- If a breeder is reported as having any deficiencies per the annual inspection, they will be required to CORRECT THEM WITHIN 7 DAYS or to DISPOSE OF all intact animals at an animal control facility, a licensed Illinois shelter or have them euthanized by a veterinarian
- The Bill also requires that breeders comply with any additional regulations drafted by the department (which are not yet specified by the bill.).
The IDCBA joins with the American Kennel Club to support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs, that do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously.
The requirements in HB 198 are completely unreasonable for persons breeding dogs. Most of these requirements have no bearing on the ability of a person to produce healthy, well-cared-for pets. The way HB 198 is written, a breeder would have to comply with these requirements even if fewer than three females were bred in a year. It would even affect a breeder/owner who did not have a single litter!
The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is not equipped to hire and train inspectors who are familiar with animal husbandry. Under current law, animal control authorities have the power to investigate suspected animal cruelty and we strongly support enforcement of those laws. This would be a better use of taxpayer funds and would more effectively address animal welfare concerns.
HB 198 does not improve the welfare of animals and forces breeders to pay excessive fees as well as to submit to intrusive background checks and inspections that are not required of other businesses or hobbyists.
We promote responsible dog ownership, enforcement of cruelty laws and reasonable nuisance regulations.
More Talking Points:
Bills like HB198 penalize the reputable breeders of dogs. Indeed this bill makes it virtually impossible for these caring people to do the jobs they love to do, of creating healthy dogs of sound-temperament and predictable personalities to those who love the same breed. This bill will virtually eliminate the existence of local breeders who are the most critical resource to help Illinois owners and buyers of dogs keep their pets!
HB 198will in fact make it nearly impossible for dog lovers in Illinois to buy from knowledgeable caring persons within a reasonable geographic distance. This bill will in fact, result in an increase in purchasing pets from a distance increasing the likelihood that the buyer will not know what they are acquiring and will not have the necessary network of local breed-knowledgeable experts.
This bill will in fact, result in an increase in purchasing pets through agents, rather than directly from the breeder. This bill will increase the likelihood that the buyer will not have access to the most knowledgeable person who can provide the most help for them.
In fact HB198 could result in more people turning their pets over to the shelter.
