New Mexico Pet Owner Responsibility Act

[Rottweilerlvr]

Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 12:21 AM


PERMISSION TO CROSS POST - OPPOSE THE NEW MEXICO PET OWNER RESPONSIBILITY
ACT

Contrary to recent reports, the bill for mandatory spay/neuter has NOT been
introduced in the New Mexico legislature (reference the New Mexico
Legislature website, http://legis.state.nm.us/lcs/). No bills were
introduced at all on Saturday, and of the numerous bills introduced on
Friday (February 9), none addressed spay/neuter.

The last day to introduce new legislation is Thursday, February 15.
However, based on an email from the president of the Sangre de Cristo Kennel
Club (Santa Fe), I expect the legislation for mandatory spay/neuter to be
introduced within the next few days. The email (with permission to forward)
is provided below.

According to Sangre de Cristo, the title of the mandatory spay/neuter
legislation is the "Pet Owner Responsibility Act." The Sangre de Cristo
Kennel Club has quietly worked with Albuquerque Mayor Chavez and his
lobbyist, Joe Thompson, to get exemptions built into the mandatory
spay/neuter bill. The exemptions include:

- Commercial breeders, active hobby breeders, and other breeders that have
produced multiple litters with a registered animal will be exempt (note the
requirement for multiple litters from a single animal)

- Show people who, on a yearly basis, have entered a sanctioned event and
who are members of a club with a code of ethics recognized by a national
registry will be exempt

- Owners of a titled animal who are members of a club with a code of ethics
recognized by a national registry will be exempt

- Persons who earn income by showing a customer's animal at events
sanctioned by a national registry will be exempt

Through their actions, Sangre de Cristo has tacitly acknowledged their
support of the so-called "pet overpopulation crisis," which is nothing more
than a fabrication from the Animal Rights agenda. Unfortunately, Sangre de
Cristo must believe that this fabricated Animal Rights crisis can be solved
by mandatory spay/neuter, as long as the Dog Fancy enjoys certain
exemptions.

The bill is founded on a false premise (mandatory spay/neuter) to solve a
non-existent problem (overpopulation). Keep in mind that 70% of all dogs
and that 80% of all cats are currently spay/neutered. The proposed
mandatory spay/neuter legislation is unnecessary and is a further attempt to
limit the ownership of animals in New Mexico. FOR THOSE NOT MEETING THE
EXEMPTIONS (BY ACTIVELY BREEDING OR SHOWING REGISTERED ANIMALS) THEN ALL OF
YOUR ANIMALS MUST BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED.

The exemptions negotiated by Sangre de Cristo may provide a short-term gain
for them; but the Dog Fancy loses in the long run. Here are a few
observations for those involved in the fancy. How will "NEWCOMERS" get
started in the sport? Based on the exemptions, it appears that they must
join a club and then buy a titled animal. No more starting with a "show"
puppy to learn about the sport -- any puppy belonging to a beginner would
have to be spayed/neutered. What are the long-term prospects for a sport
with these restrictions?

What about those who are not currently active in breeding or showing (e.g.,
have taken some time off), but have intact animals and are members of and
abide by a code of ethics of a national club? Depending on the
circumstances, their animals could also be spayed/neutered. That might end
any of their future plans for active participation in the sport. This bill
will SLOWLY END THE SPORT IN NEW MEXICO.

On the other hand, New Mexico could provide a real benefit by promoting
VOLUNTARY, low-cost spay/neuter and by supporting rescue organizations. The
Maddie's Fund model that is being implemented for the entire State of Utah
could serve as a guide.

What about the remainder of the New Mexico legislative session (which ends
at noon on March 17)? Some kennel clubs in New Mexico will likely be
working with the Animal Rights activists to pass the mandatory spay/neuter
legislation; and the rest of us will be fighting it. The AKC may also offer
its support for the bill. Unfortunately, the Fancy has created a win-win
situation for the Animal Rights agenda. But, in spite of the hard feeling
that will result as we oppose each other, let's see what we can do to stop
this legislation.

OPPOSE THE NEW MEXICO PET OWNER RESPONSIBILITY ACT

Ronald A. Gustafson

Founder, New Mexico Animal Control Forum
"Rational Thinking on Animal Control Issues for the State of New Mexico"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VCNM_A...Control_Forum/

******************
SANGRE DE CRISTO EMAIL

From: Ken Parmelee [mailto:KParmelee@nrlca.org]
Sent: Saturday, February 10, 2007 10:09 PM
Subject: Spay & Neuter Legislation

Some time ago I contacted Mayor Martin Chavez's staff who were working on
the STATEWIDE SPAY & NEUTER legislation. I requested a meeting to offer
suggestions on how to improve their bill from the purebred dog owner's
standpoint. They offered me an opportunity to a draft an amendment to the
bill exempting purebred breeders, show dog households, and Professional
handlers.

I submitted the amendment it was accepted by Mayor Chavez, his staff and
perfected by the Legislature's legislative counsel office.

I was requested to keep this information confidential until today when Rep.
Joni Marie Gutierrez introduced the bill.

I am particularly grateful to Mayor Chavez, Catherine Coll, and Counsel Joe
Thompson, esq.

Please forward this email to any dog person you know.

Ken Parmelee, President
Sangre de Cristo KC

PET OWNER RESPONSIBILITY ACT

Section 3. RESPONSIBILITY

A. Except as provided in Section 4 of the Pet Owner Responsibility Act, a
person who owns an intact dog or cat older than six months shall have the
dog or cat spayed or neutered.

Section 4. EXCEPTIONS.-Section 3 of the Pet Owners Responsibility Act
does not apply when the person who owns an intact dog or cat:

B. is a purebred dog or cat breeder, purebred dog or cat fancier or
professional handler;

Section 2. DEFINITIONS.-As used in the Pet Owners Responsibility Act

C. "intact" means a dog or cat that has not been spayed or neutered;

E. "purebred dog or cat breeder" means a person whose dog or cat has
produced multiple litters of puppies or kittens of a purebred breed of dog
or cat sanctioned by a recognized national dog or cat registry.

F. "purebred dog or cat fancier" means a person having an intact dog or cat
that has entered a show or event of a recognized national dog or cat
registry at least once a year or has a dog or cat with a title from a
recognized national dog or cat registry and that belongs to a kennel or cat
fancier club with a code of ethics of a recognized national dog or cat
registry;

G. "professional handler" means a person who trains, kennels or exhibits a
customer's dog or cat as a source of income at events sanctioned by a
recognized national or cat registry;