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AB 1634 does not allow for working dogs
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Posted by StacyReichert Thu May 10, 2007 08:36:21 PDT
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The Assembly Bill 1634 does not allow for proper exemptions for our much needed working breeds!

These breeds include but are not limited to police canine units, ranch and farm working dogs, search and rescue dogs –– and the list goes on and on.

C.O.P.S. is against AB 1634, ranchers are against this bill. Take a good look at AB 1634 and see the many working dog associations that are against it –– even A.K.C. is against this bill.

I continue to see the word "pet" but nobody is using the term "working dog." Please look at AB 1634 for yourself and see if you agree with your rights being taken away! http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/p...

I could touch on so many issues proposed in this bill that are just wrong but the public needs access to see it for themselves and more venues to speak their opposition since the local and nation-wide media are so bias on this and will not allow our opposition to be heard.

Sincerely, Stacy Reichert

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Comment From: swgymmomma

The issue of working dogs should be properly addressed and not affect the rest of the content of the bill. Working dogs are already a separate entity from pets as far as their owners' rights are concerned, many are already allowed in places where pets aren't allowed, etc. Many exemptions are available, you buy an intact permit...read the bill. What you have not addressed is why, exactly, would all working dogs need to be kept intact anyway? I know of many search and rescue dogs who are excellent at their jobs, yet they are neutered. Also, the AKC does not deal with working dogs, they deal with show dogs, and represent the breeders, which are (of course) opposing the bill. I don't know why anyone would put stock in whether or not ranchers oppose this bill...they raise animals with the sole purpose of killing them for profit, right? So why would they care what happens to pets? If all these people who are squawking about their rights being trampled as a result of this bill would each step up and adopt one pet from a shelter, maybe overpopulation wouldn't be such an issue. I don't just care about my own animals, I care about those that continue to be brought into this world by people who don't care what happens to them after they are born. It appears that many of the people who oppose this bill soley care about their own animals and don't care at all about the fate of the ones they don't own. Comment From: StacyReichert

SWGYMMOMMA, If you really believe your words then ask the many people that were rescued from disasters by an intact dog. Who really puts the meat on your table? There are NO EXCEPTIONS for working dogs in this AB 1634 and if you believe there should be then write to the Assembly Committee here is the link http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/c... do not want to pay higher prices to put meat or dairy products on my table but how do you think ranchers/farmers will replace the cost of their working dogs or pay all the fees involved to keep them intact? That price will be paid by the consumer.Ask me if I care weather a dog is intact or not that may find and rescue me out of a horrile accident? My answer is "thank God you were born and trained to save my life"Many people will stop paying entrance fees to show their dogs or trial fees if their dog is not spayed or neutered to be able to participate. The feline and canine industry will lose along with the rest of us.Working dogs, show dogs, companions, pets...whatever you would like to title them should not be forced to undergo a unnessary operation at the age of four months and for that matter if the dogs are being well cared for then they should never have to be S/N!!!  Do you see the picture of Missy?  Missy is a rescue and she loves her life as well as being intact!  Please read the Assembly Bill so you can understand the reality of how far this Bill can and will go to intrude on too many aspects of our personal lives and work.Sincerely, Stacy Reichert Comment From: kelpiedude

Noone is saying every dog should be bred, nor is anyone saying to no dog should be spay & neutered... Most service dogs are spay & neutered. Noone would breed their sevice dogs anyway... No blind persons is going to give getting around to have puppies.. It where the service dogs come from.. Myself I have always spay & neutered all my dogs, I have never bred my dogs and never had a little of puppies.. I dont know if I ever will ? But that is my choice.. But there are many breeds that are not AKC breeds and many dogs that are brought here from other countries.. That because they are not part of one of the bigger dog clubs registries here will have to spay & neutered.. So of us with us that have proformance dogs and working ranch dogs.. Do even start are dogs in training til at lest 10 months of age & older.. So at 4 months we dont even know what we have... For those of us that trial or dogs in agility, the club I trial in doesnt even allow dogs to trial til 15 months of age.. We dont start our stockdogs til at 10 months of age in training.. I know I wait til the grouth plates are closed.. Early spay & neuter couses weight gain in many dogs that causes even more stress to groth plates.. Many dogs would have to be spay & neutered before they ever get a chance to prove themselves... Not to mention if some kid really wants a puppy, they are going to get it somewhere.. Then in 2 or 3 years when they are tired of it.. It will still end up in the pound.. If we are so over run at our shelters, then why is the SPCA here in Bakersfield calling ads out of the paper looking for kittiens ? Why the call the kern county shelter ? Eddy Comment From: roro

All one needs to do is take a walk through our animal shelters to see the dogs waiting to die to really understand what needs to be done in this situation. Kern county kills hundreds of dogs every month. Our SPCA is full all the time, as is the Alpha Canine Sanctuary. Enough is enough. AB 1634 will put an end to the random 'backyard breeders' who care nothing for the lives they bring into the world. They try to make money, then depend on our tax dollars to rid themselves of their excess puppies. True breeders have no problem with obtaining permits and licenses to do their legitimate work. Anyone who claims to be an animal lover should at least provide an alternative solution to AB 1634 AND the excessive killing of our beloved dogs rather than just oppose it. We bring these precious lives into the world, then when they become bothersome we toss them out like so much garbage. They are living creatures who depend on us to treat them with dignity and love. If you oppose this bill -present an alternative that will solve the problem in a way that is compassionate and caring. Otherwise, let those who do care at least try to end the suffering and dying of our unwanted dogs. Comment From: swgymmomma

Stacy, Is this the provision that you say does not exist? It is in the amended text of the bill as of May 3, 2007. The exemption allows as follows... B) The cat or dog has earned, or is in the process of earning, a conformation, obedience, agility, carting, herding, protection, rally, sporting, working, or other legitimate title from an approved purebred registry or association. (3) The owner provides proof to the local jurisdiction or its authorized local animal control agency that the dog is being trained or is documented as having been appropriately trained and meets the definition of guide dog, service dog, or signal dog, as set forth in subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 365.5 of the Penal Code. (4) The owner provides proof to the local jurisdiction or its authorized local animal control agency that the dog is being trained, or is documented as having been appropriately trained, and actively used by law enforcement agencies for law enforcement or rescue activities. I hope this alleviates your concerns. I have friends in search and rescue, as well as therapy dog, and they are all hoping this bill passes. They are content with the provisions, and care about all animals, not just the ones they own. As to your previous comment about meat prices, there is no meat on my table, I choose not to eat meat. If there were, I assure you the price would not be driven up by the cost of a rancher having to get a few intact permits for his herding dogs. I've enjoyed communicating with you on this subject. :-) Comment From: StacyReichert

Just a few words, again, on these issues. There are many alternatives that I support such as funding low-cost S/N programs and public education but finding proper venues to voice alternatives has been far and few between for those of us that oppose this Bill. Again, as already stated in a reply above, at the age of four months where do you take the many working dogs to prove they will become working dogs in their craft? Who will be the recognized governing agency or organization for each craft? I can already see a fight coming over that!!! Who's hand will be in our pockets? The responsible owners will pay more for our licensing fees and responsible breeders will pay more for their permits. I am not against S/N for the dogs that come into the shelters or lines that have defects but the term "Mandatory S/N for all dogs at the age of four months" is just "Wrong"!!! I don't mind paying a fair price for anything I own but to be robbed is another thing...not just monetary but my rights also. I already pay a higher premium for my home owner's insurance due to the California breed list that includes five breeds. The Pit Bull Terrier, Chow, Rott's, Dobbie's and German Shepards. I owned a Neutered Dobi and he was actually the sweetest dog I have ever owned but I was forced to purchase a higher priced policy due to his breed and now that he has passed away I continue to keep that policy just because they are very hard to get these days and I don't even have a breed on that list but I may someday in the future so I pay that price now. I know the chapter 9 of AB 1634 and get the amendments almost every morning, you are not telling me anything I don't already know. Now you answer some of my questions above! Nice having a chat with you too. Sincerely, Stacy Reichert