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Illinois proposes anti crop/dock bill

2K views 12 replies 10 participants last post by  RedFawnRising 
#1 ·
American Kennel Club - AKC Troubled by Illinois Crop/Dock Bill

AKC Troubled by Illinois Crop/Dock Bill
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[Tuesday, February 03, 2009]
The American Kennel Club is deeply concerned by Illinois Senate Bill 139. The bill, introduced by Senator Terry Link, the majority caucus whip, seeks to severely limit the practices of tail docking and ear cropping in the state. It is imperative that all concerned Illinois dog owners contact their elected representatives and the bill’s sponsor and express their strong opposition to this attempt to fundamentally change breed standards by limiting acceptable practices of animal husbandry that are accompanied by appropriate veterinary care.

Current Illinois statute allows ear cropping and tail docking done for any legitimate purpose. If SB 139 becomes law, ear cropping and tail docking would be considered "animal torture" under Illinois criminal law and would be allowed only for medical purposes. In effect, SB 139 seeks to fundamentally change many breeds’ characteristics by severely limiting the valid practices of cropping and docking.

The AKC’s policy on the issues of ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal states:

The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided.

The AKC recognizes that ear cropping and tail docking, as prescribed in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character, enhancing good health, and preventing injuries. These breed characteristics ensure the safety of dogs that on a daily basis perform heroic roles with Homeland Security, serve in the U.S. Military, and with Police Departments. These dogs protect tens of thousands of communities throughout our nation and work in the field. Any inference that these procedures are "cosmetic" and unnecessary is a severe mischaracterization that connotes a lack of respect and knowledge of history and the function of purebred dogs.

Breed standards are established and maintained by AKC parent clubs (each of the 158 AKC registered breeds is stewarded by a breed-specific parent club) whose primary purpose is to protect the welfare of their breed and the function it was bred to perform. The American Kennel Club strongly opposes any attempt by lawmakers to fundamentally change breed standards by way of limiting acceptable practices of animal husbandry that are provided with appropriate veterinary care, as SB 139 seeks to do.
 
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#6 ·
Also from the AKC site I guess I didn't copy it all

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Concerned Illinois dog owners are encouraged to contact the bill’s sponsor, Senator Terry Link, and their elected representatives in Springfield, and respectfully yet strongly urge them to oppose this attempted infringement on individual liberties.

Concerned Illinois dog owners, find your state representative and senator’s contact information by clicking here.

Bill sponsor Senator Terry Link
Springfield Office:
321 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: (217) 782-8181

District Office:
906 Muir Avenue
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Phone: (847) 735-8181
FAX: (847) 735-8184

RESOURCES:

To customize a letter of opposition, please click here.

For a copy of the full legislation, please click here.

For tips on how to effectively communicate with legislators, please click here.

For a copy of our Disagree Diplomatically brochure, please click here.

For more information, contact AKC’s Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
 
#7 ·
I would contact my representative to share your view. I would not stand by and not do anything. After Illinois, then what state is next ?

I prefer cropped and docked but at the same time dont want to sound insensitive.

In my lifetime I have never known anything different, my family owned several breeds that we had the ears cropped as puppies, we also had a Doberman when I was growing up, same with him.

My first two Dobermans were cropped. Several years ago I moved from the US and now live in NZ. Cole ( see sig below ) is not cropped as it is against NZ law, but in NZ at present the tails can be docked.

In Aussie, I believe it is against the law to crop or dock?

Again I dont want to sound insensitive to our Dobes on this matter, but I prefer the cropped and docked look.

With Cole we have already had 3-4 ear infections (he is 7 months ), that might have otherwise not have happened with cropped ears. But it is unclear to me if the chance of infection increases with natural ears.

At any rate, I simply couldnt live anymore without a doberman in our lives so we have Cole with natural ears. Funny thing is, when he is alerted to things he will flip his ears backwards and stand on alert. I must get video of this lol !
 
#8 ·
This is how it starts, first one state then another etc,etc the problem is the people it effects are in the minority and majority rules,although I don't care either way about docking my choice would be to dock but here we don't get a choice anymore.
 
#9 ·
The people who are pro cropping living in neighboring states of Illinois beware of this senator and this bill , if other senators from your neighboring states align with him. He is setting a presidence that could be followed.
 
#10 ·
respectfully yet strongly urge them to oppose this attempted infringement on individual liberties.

I would much prefer lawmakers spend their energy on infringing on the individual liberties of folks who chain their dogs in the backyard, to trees and craptastic doghouses.
 
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