Before making an opinion on this subject, please know the facts. First let me start by saying I think everyone who knows me from my past posts, understands that I am all for proper breeding! And SOCIALIZATION is a key factor in the life of a puppy who will become a welcome adult canine into our society.

However, in my opinion, another law which can not be enforced is not the answer to dog overpopulation and unethical breeding. It is more educated consumers and people willing to enforce the laws we already have in effect!

We currently have The Animal Welfare Act already passed into law. Since 1966 this law has required licensing and inspecting of dog dealers. Requirements include adequate housing, ample food and water, reasonable handling, basic disease prevention, decent sanitation and sufficient ventilation.

If this law can not be enforced why does anyone believe this new bill has a chance of succeeding.

The AKC is NOT opposed to the protection of innocent puppies. It is opposed to the possible harm this new bill will will have on the hobby and show breeders. Of which I am one!

Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), (remember I am from PA) the lead sponsor of the PPA (Puppy Protection Act), continues to tell fanciers and his colleagues that the PPA targets only "puppy mills" and will not affect hobby and show breeders. However, Senator Santorum rejected AKC's efforts to include language in the PPA, and even in Senate floor discussions, that would limit the PPA only to the commercial breeders currently regulated under the Animal Welfare Act.

We do not need the federal government creating more laws. We need them to help the agency in place now to enforce the current law. The USDA agency is bogged down with so much red tape and lack of man power now, that creating stricter regulations will have a very adverse reaction from what is desired by those fighting for the bill.

Think about it. The PPA provision does not give the USDA any more authority than it already has. It will create an incentive for dealers to challenge every violation rather than providing an incentive to come into compliance. It does not address the real enforcement problem, which is persons operating without a license or with a suspended or revoked license.

The answer to dog overpopulation and unethical breeding is not more laws. It is more educated consumers and people willing to enforce laws we already have in effect.

We do not need the federal government involved to create more red tape to muddle through. If you really care about this issue then do more to educate the consumer so they won't purchase puppy mill dogs! Do more to find out about puppy mills in your area and report them so the USDA can enforce current laws. Do more to teach regular pet owners about spaying and neutering their dogs.

Do you really think the federal government, once this new bill is passed into law, will do any better than it does now with existing laws?

One final thought! The AKC is not the enemy. It is the unethical people who breed and the uneducated consumer who buys. The AKC has done numerous things to make it possible for breeders to limit their puppies from being used for breeding stock. None of the puppies that Dixie had can be bred and have their puppies AKC registered. They were all sold on AKC limited registrations. I will only lift the registration from limited to full (which gives their puppies the ability to be AKC registered) if they pass all health clearances for the Golden breed, are titled in a performance venue such as obedience, agility, tracking, etc..., and will sell the puppies on the same general arrangement that I did. They must also be willing to take a puppy back if it is ever found to be homeless or in a abusive situation.

All breeders of AKC registered dogs have this option. But unethical breeders or backyard breeders choose to ignore this option which further complicates the issue. And the AKC has it's own team that goes out and investigates kennels that submit numerous and repeated registrations.

Let's put the blame where it should lay, on the public. We do not need more legislation. We need current legislation enforced!

I plan on writing to Senator Santorum (who I voted for) and telling him I usually agree with him but in this matter, I don't. I believe the PPA should be taken out of the farm bill!