Posted: August 19, 2009 3:00 a.m. EDT
A California bill limiting the number of breeding cats and dogs a person could own was passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee and will be voted on by the full Senate. |
California Assembly Bill 241, which would limit the number of intact (unsterilized) dogs and cats any person could own for breeding and selling as pets, passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Aug. 17. It will now be voted on by the full Senate, although a hearing date has not yet been announced.
The bill would make it a misdemeanor for any person to have more than a combined total of 50 adult unsterilized dogs and cats for breeding or raising them for sale as pets, as specified. Those who possess too many would have to spay or neuter the excess animals or sell, transfer or relinquish the animals within 30 days. If necessary, any euthanasia would have to be performed by a licensed veterinarian or other qualified person.
AB 241 authorizes a peace officer, humane officer or animal control officer to take possession of any animal kept in violation.
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council issued an alert last week stating that this “anti-pet bill” does nothing to advance animal welfare. Instead, “it will limit the availability of healthy well-socialized pet puppies from reputable breeders. Because the number of dogs permitted under this bill is completely arbitrary, proponents are advocating for the lowest limit they believe will be adopted in law. Next year, they can come back and seek to limit it further.”
PIJAC argues that there is no correlation between the size of a breeding facility and the quality of care provided to the animals. According to the organization, the only way to ensure humane care of animals is to establish and enforce reasonable standards under which breeders may keep them.