Opponents of "PUPS" bill most active this week
Bill regulating dog breeders provokes most messages to Congress
FRIDAY UPDATE: The Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety (PUPS) Act (H.R. 835), introduced by Representative Jim Gerlach, provoked the most messages to Congress in the first week of 2012 on POPVOX.
From December 31-January 6, over 1,400 people sent a message to their Congressperson regarding the PUPS bill, 80% were opposed to the bill and 20% in favor.
Several small dog groups from across the country posted statements of opposition to the bill, which they view as adversely affecting small breeders. The California Federation of Dog Clubs wrote that “the bill would have a chilling effect on dog breeding in the US. It would force many ethical breeders to abandon their hobby, and shut down larger hobby kennels immediately.”
Organizations opposed to the PUPS Act include the Alabama Canine Coalition, Inc., American Herding Breed Association, Bull Terrier Club of America, California Federation of Dog Clubs, California Responsible Pet Owners' Coalition, Federation of Maine Dog Clubs, Inc., Minnesota Cat and Dog Council, Mississippi Canine Coalition, Inc., Missouri Federation of Animal Owners, Inc., Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance (SAOVA), and United States Working Dog Foundation.
The PUPS Act is supported by The Humane Society of the United States and Iowa Voters for Companion Animals. According to the HSUS, the bill “will ensure more humane treatment of dogs by closing the Internet loophole in AWA and requiring dogs at USDA-licensed facilities to be given the opportunity to exercise outside their primary enclosures.”
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, H.R. 835 amends the Animal Welfare Act’s definition of a "high volume retail breeder" as someone who sells more than 50 puppies for use as pets in a year. The bill requires new USDA rules on daily exercise for dogs at facilities owned or operated by a dealer.
The second most active bill on POPVOX from December 31-January 6 was the H.R. 3621, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). Over 750 people weighed in on that bill over the week, adding to a total that is now well over 5,000. 98% oppose SOPA, while 2% support.
