VA proposal re: breeders/sellers of dogs

[LisaS]

Got this from another list with permission to repost. If you read the letter and the link - do you read it as saying only altered dogs can be sold, period?
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Dear Virginia Dog Owners:

The General Assembly is considering the nation's first law requiring
statewide pet sterilization. This
animal rights proposal, HB2927 by Delegate Terry Kilgore, was made
public last Friday afternoon.
This is the worst animal bill ever introduced in Virginia. While it
wasn't unexpected, what is
surprising is that the brother of GOP gubernatorial frontrunner was so
taken in by animal rightists.

Your IMMEDIATE efforts are needed if we are to defeat this initiative.
At most, we have ten days. This
bill might be heard as early as 7:30 AM
1/27.

The entire text of HB2927 may be seen at
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...051+ful+HB2927
(http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...051+ful+HB2927) Here are
the proposal's key elements.

"Dealers", including private pet sellers, are required to buy a $150
business licensee. Failure to be
licensed is a maximum $1000 fine.

Dealers are required to insert that license number in any animal sale
advertising. Every animal buyer
must receive a copy of that license. Failing to do so makes the buyer
subject to a $150 fine.

Every dog or cat obtained from a "releasing agency", defined as any
pound, shelter, humane
society, dealer, pet store or for-profit breeder, must be microchipped
and sterilized before transfer.
Non-compliance penalty: up to $150 per occurrence.

"For-profit" breeders needn't make a profit; anyone selling anything who
isn't registered with the
IRS as a non-profit entity is considered to be a "for-profit" seller.
There are no exceptions in this bill
for infrequent or small operators.

Impacts Fewer dogs and cats available for sale at significantly higher
costs.

The extinction of bloodlines established over many years.

The proliferation of scofflaw breeders and non-public animal sales to
meet market demand and reap
windfall profits.

Increased private out-of-state animal traffic.

A general loss of respect for all of Virginia's animal laws.

WHAT TO DO TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE Immediately contact the House AC&NR
Committee and its
critical Agriculture Subcommittee. Tell them you OPPOSE HB2927. Keep
the message short and use
your full name and mailing address. The email addresses and phone
numbers that you need are
located at _http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/VA.AG.Ctmes.html_
(http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/VA.AG.Ctmes.html) Use the House list
and copy Delegate Kilgore
on every communication by pasting in his address
_Del_Kilgore@house.state.va.us_
(mailto:Del_Kilgore@house.state.va.us)

Additional note for breeders only. A General Assembly resolution
containing discredited data,
condemning "irresponsible" breeders and urging counties and cities to
implement spay-neuter
incentives will also be hear this week by the AC&NR AG Subcommittee.
The bill number is HJ768
and it's patroned by Delegate Jeion Ward _Del_Ward@house.state.va.us _
(mailto:Del_Ward@house.state.va.us) of Norfolk. This bill doesn't have
the force of law, as HB2927
does, but its sets the stage for future forced spay-neuter initiatives.
This bill also deserves your
attention. OPPOSE HJ768

I know that you've received many legislative alerts from VHDOA and
others in the last two weeks.
That's due to compressed nature of Virginia's short sessions and the
newly aggressive and
hyperactive nature of local animal rightists. With your help we've
managed to stop several bad bills,
but these are two of the worst bills ever encountered. Please do your
share to protect our sport and
hobby.

Kindly share this message widely.

Sincerely, Bob Kane Virginia Hunting Dog Owners' Association

[debbiej]

wow. I guess that pretty much answers my other question.