California Assembly Bill 241, which would limit the number of intact dogs and cats any person could own for breeding and selling as pets, is headed to the Appropriations Committee after advancing out of the Senate Public Safety Committee on a 4-0 vote July 16. A hearing date has not been set. AB241 would prohibit any person from having more than 50 unsterilized dogs and cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets. 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. AB241 authorizes a peace officer, humane officer or animal control officer to take possession of any animal kept in violation. Violators would be guilty of a misdemeanor. Assemblyman Pedro Nava, the bill’s author, agreed to amend the bill July 16, but details were not released, according to the American Kennel Club, which remains opposed to the legislation. The AKC said it believes that the quality of a breeder is not determined by the number of animals but by the care the animals receive. The AKC also said the legislation “will not improve the lives of dogs and cats, will negatively impact responsible breeders and may result in animals being euthanized or relinquished to shelters. Concentrating animal control efforts on dogs whose behavior demonstrates that they are a problem for the community would be a much better use of taxpayer funds.” Click here to read the bill. <HOME> Related news: California Senate Public Safety Committee Postpones Intact Animal Cap Bill Hearing
