We need to work together to fight this.
FLORIDA TO ADOPT NEW DOG
BREEDER STANDARDS
LAW LIMITS POSSESSION TO 50 DOGS
** HEARING SET FOR APRIL 6TH **
The Issue.
Legislation scheduled to be heard by the Senate Committee on Community Affairs on April 6 would
prohibit any owning, possessing, controlling, or otherwise having custody at any one time of 50 or
more dogs that have intact sexual organs and that are 4 months of age or older. Senate Bill 2002 also
imposes a number of new standards of care on dog breeders and authorizes enforcement action against
alleged violators.
The Impact.
A wide-spread animal activist campaign has resulted in the introduction of bills in many states
throughout the United States which limit the number of dogs a breeder may have. Although there is
no correlation between the number of dogs in a facility and the quality of that facility, or the
quality of care the dogs receive, advocates of this type of limit law have been aggressively seeking
adoption of these bills. Yet no proponent has come up with a valid justification to support this
type of restriction! This limit law is purely anti-pet in nature and offers no animal welfare benefit
whatsoever.
Additional provisions of SB 2002 include requirements to:
• Provide sufficient space for dogs to turn about freely and to stand, sit, and lie down.
• Provide each dog with a minimum of one exercise period during each day for a total of not less
than 1 hour of exercise each day.
• Maintain adequate housing facilities and primary enclosures as set forth in the bill (see the
actual bill for more specific criteria).
• Primary enclosures must be placed no higher than 42 inches above the floor and not be placed
over or stacked on top of another cage or primary enclosure.
• The housing or primary enclosure must be cleaned at least daily or more often if necessary.
• All dogs housed in the same housing or enclosure must be compatible.
• Dogs must be given easy and convenient access to adequate amounts of clean food and water.
• Provide veterinary care must be provided without delay when necessary.
April 2, 2009
(FL SB 2002)
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• Male unaltered dogs must be examined by a veterinarian at least once a year, and female
unaltered dogs must be examined by a veterinarian at least once a year or before each attempt
to breed, whichever occurs more frequently. Only dogs between the ages of 18 months and 8
years of age may be bred.
The bill provides that an animal control officer, other authorized public health or safety
official, or law enforcement officer may investigate any alleged violation of this law, whether
in response to receiving a complaint by any person or upon his or her own initiative.
Investigations may include the inspection of books and records of any person or business
subject to this law and the inspection of any place where dogs are bred or maintained. Officers
and designated officials may enter any premises where animals may be bred or maintained
during daytime hours. A person or business that is the subject of an investigation must provide
assistance to the officer or official in making any authorized inspection
Anybody in violation of this law is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. The bill
explicitly exempts publicly operated animal control facilities or animal shelters, private,
charitable, or not-for-profit humane societies, animal adoption organizations, and animal
rescue organizations. Veterinary facilities, retail pet stores, research institutions and boarding
facilities are also exempt. However, the bill defines a "retail pet store" as any “commercial
establishment that engages in the for-profit business of selling at retail cats, dogs, or other
animals to be kept as household pets [but not] any person or establishment that breeds or raises
animals to sell, exchange, or broker or who otherwise transfers the animals to the public as
household pets.”
Recommended Action.
Senate Bill 2002 is set to be heard before the Senate Committee on Community Affairs on
April 6th (Room 412 Knott Building at 9:00 a.m.). PIJAC urges all concerned parties to
contact each member of the committee (see committee contact information below) to voice
their views. If possible, attend the hearing to speak on this bill. While some provisions of this
bill are not objectionable, certain restrictions are excessive, including the ban on
possession of 50 dogs which provides no benefit to pet animals or pet owners or the public
at large!
You may review the actual language of the bill on the Breaking News page of PIJAC’s website
at www.pijac.org (attached to the electronic version of this PetAlert). PIJAC will also update
any change in the status of the bill on its website as new information becomes available.
If you have any further questions concerning this bill, please contact PIJAC’s Michael Maddox
by phone at 202-452-1525 or by email at michael@pijac.org.
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State of Florida
Senate Committee on Community Affairs
Knott Building, Room 315
404 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
850/487-5167
SENATOR DISTRICT(S) TEL. # EMAIL
Michael S. Bennett (Ch)(R-21) Charlotte, DeSoto, Lee, Manatee, Sarasota 850/487-5078 bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov
Gary Siplin (V-Ch)(D-19) Orange, Osceola 850/487-5190 siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov
Thad Altman (R-24) Brevard, Orange, Seminole 850/487-5063 altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov
Ted Deutch (D-30) Broward, Palm Beach 850/487-5091 deutch.ted.web@flsenate.gov
Rudy Garcia (R-40) Miami-Dade 850/487-5106 garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.gov
Andy Gardiner (R-9) Orange, Osceola, Seminole 850/487-5047 gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov
Anthony C. Hill, Sr. (D-1) Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Volusia 850/487-5024 hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov
Jeremy Ring (D-32) Broward 850/487-5094 ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov
Ronda Storms (R-10) Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk 850/487-5072 storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov
Stephen R. Wise (R-5) Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns 850/487-5027 wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov |
