State Legislation Updates

Tehachapi Mountain Dog Fanciers

State Legislation Updates

Assembly Bill 241 has passed on to the Governor's desk. AB 241 sets a statewide limit of 50 dogs per owner. We must oppose this Bill. 1) Dogs are property. Government should not remove our right to own property. 2) Once a limit is established, then an amendment can be passed without committee review. The number can be dropped. 3) This does not address animal welfare. The condition and health of the dogs is not at issue, only an arbitrary number.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2008

The "Pet Extinction Act", Assembly Bill 1634, is now dead. It has been holding on the Senate Floor all week subject to a reconsideration vote. Since the author, Levine (D) -Van Nuys, could not find more than five votes last Friday afternoon (before the Democrats left to Colorado), it was considered dead then for all intents and purposes.

What can we learn from this two year battle?

The animal-rights fanatics have developed and used successful tactics to sway public opinion. They point out the tragedy of kill-shelters and say it's caused by those nasty breeders. They use puppy mills as the 'poster-child' for breeders. They get some beloved celebrities to champion their stated cause. People will believe anything if it is stated over and over, especially if a nice old guy with a charming smile says it.

We must develop our own public outreach. Show people what a responsible dog owner looks like. Speak to anyone who will listen about the quality of care good owners exhibit and speak about the ethics and rules required in your club, especially in regards to breeding. We must continue communicating with each other. It was said last year that a sleeping giant has been woken by AB 1634. We cannot go back to snoozing. Join a political action group. Some are listed on this page. This is a hostile country for dog owners, keep your head up and be active.

Save Our Dogs addresses the working dog

The complete text, with all revisions, is available at

The California Legislative Process

A new bill is introduced to the Assembly or Senate with the First Reading. The bill goes to the Rules Committee and is then sent to the appropriate committee(s) based upon the subject area. In each committee the bill is reviewed and either amended or passed through. It may be amended several times. If it is passed by the committee(s), it gets a Second Reading on the House floor and then an analysis is prepared. At the Third Reading on the floor, the author explains the bill, members discuss it, and a roll call vote is taken. Most bills need a minimum of 41 votes in the Assembly and 21 votes in the Senate to pass.

At this point, the bill goes to the other House and the process is repeated. If the second House makes amendments and passes it, then the bill will return to the original House for their agreement. If they don't agree with the new amendments, a two-House committee meets to resolve the differences.

If an agreement is reached between both Houses, the bill goes to the Governor. He has the options of signing it (when he really agrees), not signing it (he'll let the Legislature take the responsibility), or using his veto (he really does not agree).

In our opinion, if AB 1634 were to make it to the Governor, he would sign it in a New York minute. He showed us he is anti-dog with his signature on the Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) bill. Before his signature it was against California law to make any ordinances about a certain breed of dog.

We must stop this partisan attack on our property in the Senate! Contact your Senator and the committee Senators with a fax or letter and make phone calls to register your opposition. Act now!