Legislative Policy Statement
The Fort Bend Kennel Club (FBKC) supports the rights of Americans to own, breed, and interact
with their dogs in a responsible and humane manner without interference. The FBKC opposes unreasonable limitations on pet ownership, including
any legislation that would implement breeding bans, breeding permits, mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs, or that would
arbitrarily identify a dog as "dangerous" because it is of a certain breed or phenotype. Instead,
the FBKC supports reasonable, enforceable, and non-discriminatory laws that protect the health and welfare of dogs and that
do not restrict the rights of responsible breeders/owners.
Responsible
Dog Ownership
Studies
from national research organizations have shown that most of the dogs found in shelters throughout the United States are relinquished by owners who are unable
or unwilling to socialize, train, and care for them. To avoid these issues, the FBKC strongly encourages
the pet-buying public to:
- Purchase a dog only when all family members are prepared to take on the daily responsibilities
of dog ownership as well as the long-term emotional and financial commitment (avoid purchasing a puppy on impulse).
- Research
breeds of interest by visiting the American Kennel Club (AKC) website at www.akc.org as well as the AKC parent club websites (national organizations representing specific breeds); dog shows are another good place to make contact with breeders.
- Seek
reputable, ethical breeders as resources for your dog (check breeder referral listings with the breed's AKC parent club website).
- Make
well-informed decisions when buying a dog, making sure it is compatible with your family's lifestyle.
- Arrange
for appropriate socialization and obedience training for your dog (dogs do not train themselves; a "bad" dog is
a dog that is either untrained or improperly trained by its owner).
- Make sure you and your dog are good
neighbors by adhering to clean-up ordinances, leash laws, nuisance laws, and other reasonable regulations within your community.
In addition, the FBKC joins the AKC in encouraging
pet owners to spay/neuter their dogs if they do not want to participate in AKC conformation events or engage in responsible
breeding programs.
"Guardian" v. Owner
The FBKC stands with
the AKC in supporting the use of the term "owner" rather than "guardian" when referring to the keeping
of dogs. As the AKC has said, ". . . the term guardian may in fact reduce the legal status and value
of dogs as property and thereby restrict the rights of owners, veterinarians, and government agencies to protect and care
for dogs. It may also subject them to frivolous and expensive litigation."
Legislative Alert
Members of the FBKC believe the
right to responsibly own and breed dogs is seriously threatened by oppressive canine legislation being introduced across the
country each year at state and local levels, with most of it being promoted by so-called "animal rights"* groups
like PETA. We are increasingly faced with breed bans, household limits, breeding restrictions, litter
permits, excessive licensing fees, and other threats to owners' and breeders' rights. Some of the proposed
legislation may affect your rights as an animal owner. We encourage you to take an active role in combating the onslaught
of negative canine legislation to help ensure your rights now and for generations to come. Please visit
some of the "animal welfare"* organizations below to learn more about specific legislation being proposed in your
area and elsewhere, and to find out how you can help defeat it before it is too late.
Click
HERE to see the latest Legislative Alerts posted by the American Kennel Club.
American Kennel Club - www.akc.org/canine_legislation
National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA) - www.naiaonline.org
NAIA Trust - http://www.naiatrust.org
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance (RPOA) - www.responsiblepetowners.org
