12/14/2023
Haven't posted in a while but this one is important!!!
This bill will be introduced in NH in January and all lovers and breeders of brachycephalic dogs need to write their representatives to let them know they DO NOT support this legislation!
"Good Afternoon,
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is contacting you as Presidents, Secretaries and Legislative Liaisons of Brachycephalic Parent Breeds Clubs who are key stakeholders in HB 1102, a troublesome New Hampshire (NH) bill being introduced January 3, 2024. This is follow-up to a December 1 AKC alert sent to all parent club legislative liaisons.
The bill seeks to describe brachycephaly as a “birth deformity that causes suffering” and criminalize the sale and breeding of both brachycephalic and any other dog that could be claimed to have a birth deformity. Violators could be found guilty of a misdemeanor for a first offense, and of a class B felony for a second or subsequent offense.
AKC recognizes 16 different brachycephalic breeds; and believes that breeding programs should be undertaken responsibly for the purpose of preserving breed characteristics and producing healthy, well-socialized purebred puppies. Responsible breeders are expected to give careful consideration to health issues, temperament, and genetic screening, as well as to the individual care and placement of puppies in responsible homes. We support and promote these and other responsible breeding practices through breeders’ education programs, and commend those who offer similar guidance.
Click here to read AKC’s full position statement on responsible breeding practices.
The NH legislative session begins in earnest in January, with committees scheduling public hearings starting then. AKC and the New Hampshire Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS) will aggressively work against this overt legislative attempt to control breed type. Education and scientific discussion of thoughtful ways to address health issues within a breed in a manner that protects and preserves the essence of that breed should take priority over any onerous legislative declaration.
Together, Angela Ferrari, President, NH DOGS at [email protected], and I, Stacey Ober, as AKC’s New England Regional Manager of Government Relations at [email protected], will be coordinating strategy and action steps. We will be sending future emails to you on what you can do, and when to act in order to defeat this problematic legislation.
Before January 3, 2024, we respectfully request that you 1) identify all your club members residing in NH and, 2) confirm their current contact information by sharing the December 1 alert with them.
We’ll be in touch soon….
Stacey Ober, J.D.
Government Relations Regional Manager, New England
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t: 919-816-3348 | e: [email protected]
AKC’s website: www.akc.org
AKC GR’s website: www.akcgr.org