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CFoDC POLICY STATEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
The following are CFoDC policy statements. They are based in large part upon
the Legislation Policies of the American Kennel Club. We endorse the
following AKC Legislation Policies as stated in the 3-95 issue of The
American Kennel Club Policy Manual.
Pure-Bred Dog Rescue
Dog Auctions
Breeding Restrictions
Canine Population
Use of Dogs in
Sporting and Competition Activities
"Dangerous Dog" Control
Legislation
Proper Care and Humane
Treatment of Dogs
"Puppy Mills"
and Sale of Puppies Through Pet Shops
Animal Terrorism
Enforcement of the Animal
Welfare Act
The Right to Keep and Enjoy Dogs
Dog Fighting
Use of Dogs for Assistance
and Service
Spaying and Neutering
Pure-Bred vs. Mixed Breed Dogs
Use of Animals in Research
Tail Docking
Ear Cropping
ANIMAL WELFARE
The California Federation of Dog Clubs supports animal welfare. Animal
welfare is the concept that people should treat animals in a kindly manner,
protect them and prevent them from suffering. We support the definition on
animal protection as defined in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical
Association, JAVMA, Vol.196, No.1, January 1, 1990 which states: "all
aspects of animal well-being, including proper housing, management,
nutrition, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane
handling, and when necessary, humane euthanasia."
The California Federation of Dog Clubs supports and encourages the effort by
clubs, organizations and individuals to rescue adoptable pure-bred dogs from
animal shelters, from owners who can no longer care for their dogs in a
responsible manner, or strays found wandering at large. CFoDC encourages all
such groups or individuals, after exhausting all possible means to contact
the breeder of such animals, to spay or neuter all adoptable pure-bred dogs
prior to placing them with a responsible owner.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs strongly opposes disposing of dogs by
offering them as prizes or giveaways in auctions, raffles, contests or
promotional events. Many
animals acquired in this manner end up in shelters after the novelty of
ownership has worn off. The acquisition of a dog should be an informed and
educated decision on the part of the owner to be, not the result of a game.
Remember, a dog is for life.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs has always been concerned with the
problem of euthanizing healthy adoptable dogs. The CFoDC believes this
problem results from irresponsible owners, inadequate animal control and the
irresponsible breeding and marketing practices of those who do not emphasize
proper care or owner responsibility.
There will always be animals which cannot be placed in homes because of
extenuating circumstances, i.e., extreme old age, owner-requested
euthanasia, disease, irreparable injuries, aggressive behavior, etc.
However, when these unadoptable animals are euthanized they artificially
inflate euthanasia numbers.
In many cases, euthanasia rates are a result of inconvenient and limited
shelter and staff hours available to the public seeking to adopt an animal.
Adoption can also be deterred by severely restrictive adoption policies that
must be met by a prospective owner.
The CFoDC strongly supports and actively promotes a wide range of programs to
educate the public about responsible breeding practices and the
responsibilities of pet ownership. We endorse and encourage reasonable and
enforceable laws that protect the welfare, health and well being of dogs.
The CFoDC does not approve of the concept of breeding permits. Such
restrictions take away the rights of breeders and owners who take their
responsibilities seriously and who contribute to animal welfare at a local
and national level.
A large percentage of the 137 plus AKC recognized breeds are relatively rare
and endangered. The rare breeds have only a limited number of specimens in
the total canine population. Approximately 80 of the 137 plus breeds
register less than 500 dogs per year. These 80 breeds are so rare that if
they were wild breeds, they would be protected by the Endangered Species Act
as either endangered or threatened species. Therefore, responsible pure-bred
dog breeders are domestic animal preservationists. Without planned breeding
programs, these rare breeds would be in danger of extinction.
Domestic animal preservationists are those responsible breeders who
perpetuate and protect the heritage and desirable physical and personality
traits of non-wild animal species through selective mating of pedigreed
animals within recognized breeds along with the official registry of their
offspring.
Breeding permits are discriminatory against hobby breeders as well as
specific breeds of dogs. Specifically the rare breeds and their owners. Toy
breeds commonly produce one to three puppies, while larger canine breeds may
produce 8 to 12 puppies. The number of litters produced does not determine
either the quality of care or the responsibility factor of the owner.
Responsible breeders can raise several litters, giving them the highest
quality of care, seeing that each of the offspring is placed in
well-researched homes and to responsible pet buyers on spay/neuter
contracts. An irresponsible breeder may raise only one litter in squalid
conditions, with poor care, no attention to preventing the breeding of
animals with genetic defects, no concern as to the qualifications of buyers,
and no spay/neuter contract.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs recognizes that there is a problem of
unwanted dogs in many communities in California. This problem is the result
of irresponsible ownership. Breeding done accidentally, due to the dogs
running loose, and breeding to teach the children the "miracle of birth" and
the marketing of dogs by "commercially" motivated people coupled with a lack
of understanding among the general public about the responsibilities of dog
ownership are major contributors to the problem.
Families that want to use dogs to teach the "miracle of birth" should
fulfill their responsibility to their children by showing them the facts of
death - let them also witness euthanasia. Life is precious; there are plenty
of videos available to teach the "miracle of life" without creating more
unwanted dogs.
CFoDC believes that breeding programs should only be undertaken responsibly
for the purpose of improving the breed and that puppies should be placed
only in homes where owners are committed to responsible dog ownership.
Responsible pure-bred dog breeders are domestic animal preservationists. We
are opposed to the production of dogs by "breeders" who do so without regard
to the quality of the dogs they produce and without accepting responsibility
for placing puppies in homes where owners understand and are prepared to
undertake their commitment to responsible dog ownership.
CFoDC considers the euthanasia of adoptable dogs abhorrent. We believe
euthanasia should be employed only as a last resort when all reasonable
efforts to place adoptable dogs have failed. We believe the goal of all
responsible breeders and dog fanciers should be to eliminate the need for
euthanizing adoptable dogs through educating the public and breeders about
long term commitments and responsibilities.
There will always be animals which cannot be placed in homes because of
extenuating circumstances, i.e., extreme old age, owner-requested
euthanasia, disease, irreparable injuries, aggressive behavior, etc.
However, these unadoptable animals artificially inflate euthanasia numbers.
In many cases, euthanasia rates are a result of inconvenient and limited
shelter and staff hours available to the public seeking to adopt an animal.
In addition severely restrictive adoption policies that must be met by a
prospective owner can deter adoption.
Two major deterrents to adoption are laws which limit the number of pets per
household and pet forbiddance in rental housing.
As a result of breeder education there has been a steady downward trend in
the number of pure-bred dogs registered each year with the American Kennel
Club. AKC has been removing the registration privileges from anyone
convicted of cruelty to animals or in violation of registration regulations
- this action has removed the source of many unwanted dogs.
There has been a steady year by year downward trend in both nation wide and
state wide euthanasia rates over the past 25 years due to increased
responsible ownership brought about by education of the dog buying public.
This downward trend has been occurring without legislation and even though
the human population has been increasing.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs encourages and strongly supports the
interaction and mutual enjoyment of man and dog in sporting activities such
as hunting and field trials, in working circumstances such as herding,
tracking, and pulling, and in competitive events such as dog shows,
obedience trials, and other performance tests. We believe dogs should be
properly cared for and humanely trained, and not pushed beyond reasonable
limits for which they were bred. We oppose competitive events that test or
encourage aggressive behavior of dogs towards persons or other dogs, such as
dog fighting and so-called "protection" training.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs fully supports the adoption of
reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory laws to govern the ownership of
dogs. CFoDC believes that dog owners should be responsible for their dogs and
that laws should impose appropriate penalties on irresponsible owners and
establish a well-defined procedure for dealing with dogs proven to be
dangerous which includes, if necessary, the destruction of such animals.
Such legislation should not single out specific breeds or phenotypic classes
of dogs.
Dog owners bear a special responsibility to their canine companions to
provide proper care and humane treatment at all times. Proper care and
humane treatment includes an adequate and nutritious diet, clean water,
clean comfortable living conditions, regular veterinary care, kind and
responsive human companionship, and training in appropriate behavior. We do
not believe dogs should be kept in circumstances where all of these needs
cannot be adequately fulfilled. Anyone convicted of charges of animal
cruelty to a canine will have all privileges suspended by the American
Kennel Club.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs endorses breeding of dogs by
responsible breeders for the purpose of improving breeds of pure-bred dogs.
We oppose random, large scale breeding of dogs for commercial purposes. We
believe all breeders bear a responsibility to assure that those who purchase
their stock understand and are capable of carrying out their
responsibilities as pet owners. We are opposed to the impulse marketing of
puppies to unwitting buyers. We believe the solution of the problem of
random, large scale breeding for commercial purposes is two-fold. First,
scrupulous enforcement of the Federal Animal Welfare Act, and state and
local regulation governing the humane care of animals. Second, enactment and
enforcement of reasonable consumer protection laws for dog buyers. We
further recommend and support education of the public to avoid impulse
buying of dogs and to encourage the purchase of puppies from responsible
breeders.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs abhors acts of violence against dogs,
dog owners, kennels and research facilities committed by those who object to
the keeping of animals. We respect the right to express and advocate
personal opinions in lawful ways; however, we do not condone illegal actions
such as the "liberation" of dogs, or destruction of property. We have the
right as Americans to own, enjoy, engage in performance activities, and
exhibit responsibly cared for pets without interference. We also have the
right to conduct responsible breeding programs without interference.
The Federal Animal Welfare Act administered by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture is intended to regulate commercial breeders, dealers and
caretakers of dogs. USDA recently issued new regulations strengthening the
standards for humane care and treatment of dogs and other animals by persons
regulated under the Act. The California Federation of Dog Clubs supports
increasing the number of USDA enforcement personnel dealing with commercial
dog operations and we also support strong enforcement of the requirements of
the Animal Welfare Act.
The human-canine bond pre-dates recorded history. Since the dawn of
civilization, man has enjoyed the companionship and assistance of dogs. Dog
ownership has existed in all cultures, races, climates and economic
situations. The dog as a species exists only in close proximity to human
settlement.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs strongly endorses the right to own,
keep and breed dogs in a responsible and humane manner. We are convinced
that responsible dog ownership can be compatible with virtually any living
environment. We support responsible pet ownership, for example by residents
of senior citizen and government subsidized housing facilities.
CFoDC recognizes the special obligation of dog owners not only to their pets
but to their neighbors and society. We support "curbing" and clean up
ordinances, leash laws and other regulations designed to ensure that dogs
and their owners do not become a nuisance or a threat to public health and
safety.
We believe that people should be allowed to own as many dogs as they can
responsibly care for. We oppose artificial limits on the number of pets a
person may own. We believe that neighborhood problems arising from
irresponsible dog ownership such as pet odor and noise should be addressed
through strict enforcement of nuisance ordinances. Presently there is
adequate legislation covering nuisances and risks to public health and
safety.
Laws that criminalize pet ownership based on numbers do not address the need
to control nuisances or provide for the health and safety of residents.
Pet limits are difficult to enforce without increased presence of pet
licensing to prevent cross-referencing of license records. This increased
control presence sets up an adversarial relationship between the animal
control agency and the responsible pet owners. When this adversarial
relationship is removed responsible pet owners are the strongest supporters
of animal control. If the limits are enforced only upon complaint, it
further erodes confidence in legislative bodies and leads to "spite"
complaints.
Numbers of pets owned by an individual have no relationship to nuisances. A
person with one dog that runs loose or barks at night is a greater nuisance
than a person with a dozen dogs that are quiet, clean, and kept at home.
Limiting people to five dogs (or less) puts an unreasonable strain on people
who raise show dogs, compete in performance trials, participate in canine
rescue operations, foster dogs for service dog organizations, participate
with therapy dogs in hospitals, etc. and leads to those responsible dog
owners leaving the community.
Legal Background on Unlimited Pet Ownership
Kadash vs City of Williamsport: "What is not an infringement upon
public safety and is not a nuisance cannot be made one by legislative fiat
and then prohibited. Even legitimate legislative goals cannot be pursued by
means which stifle fundamental personal liberty when the goals can be
otherwise more reasonably achieved. "
The Commonwealth Court in the State of Pennsylvania recently struck down a
county limit on the number of animals a resident can own. In so deciding,
the court found that ordinances regulating nuisances must define the
existence of a nuisance and establish that an ordinance protects the
community from such nuisance. The law limiting pet ownership exceeded the
county's authority, according to the court, because it did not specify why
the presence of more than five pets in a household qualifies as a nuisance
or a risk to public health and safety.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs unequivocally opposes the "sport" of
dog fighting and the breeding and/or training of dogs for fighting. We
support state laws making any form of participation in organized dog fights
a felony. We oppose the training of dogs for aggressive behavior toward
other dogs and people in all circumstances except by recognized law
enforcement agencies under carefully supervised conditions.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs strongly supports the training and
use of dogs to provide assistance and service to humans. Dogs provide
valuable service as seeing eye, hearing, therapy, handicapped assistance,
drug, bomb, and arson detection, search and rescue dogs, and dogs for
tracking and locating missing persons and fugitives. This association of man
and dog is one modem day manifestation of the age old relationship between
man and dog that gives rise to the adage "Man's Best Friend." We oppose
those who seek to define the assistance and service dogs provide to mankind
as exploitive, and encourage the continuation and further development of use
of dogs for these purposes.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs encourages pet owners to spay or
neuter their dogs as a responsible means to prevent accidental breeding
resulting in unwanted puppies. Spaying and neutering are simple, safe
surgical procedures that have no adverse effect on the health and
temperament of the dog.
CFoDC encourages breeders to breed only for the improvement of the breed and
only when the produce of the breeding can be assured proper homes and care.
CFoDC recommends that breeders encourage puppy purchasers to have their pets
spayed or neutered to prevent accidental breeding and to avoid breeding
merely to produce puppies or to have their children witness the "miracle of
birth."
For thousands of years, man has bred strains of dogs with desired
characteristics and/or abilities and instincts to perpetuate and enhance
these characteristics. Pure-bred dogs breed true to type, i.e., their
offspring are relatively predictable in appearance, temperament and
instinct.
Various breeds of pure-bred dogs have appeared and disappeared throughout
history. The American Kennel Club currently (7/95) recognizes and includes
in its stud book 137 breeds. Various dog registries throughout the world
recognize more than 400 pure breeds. Some of these are of relatively recent
origin, while others have existed for centuries.
A large percentage of the AKC recognized breeds are relatively rare as there
are only a limited number of specimens in the total canine population. They
are so rare that if they were wild breeds they would be protected by the
Endangered Species Act as either threatened or endangered species.
Many mixed breed dogs and dogs of indeterminate breeding are capable of
providing excellent canine companionship and in some cases even human
service and assistance, just as pure-bred dogs do. However neither the
appearance nor genetic characteristics of mixed breed dogs are predictable,
nor can they be perpetuated.
The belief that mixed breed or mongrel dogs are more vigorous, healthy, or
well-adjusted than properly bred pure-bred dogs is a myth. The choice of a
pure-bred dog permits the prospective dog owner to select the size,
appearance, disposition and instincts that the owner desires with assurance
that a puppy purchased from a responsible breeder will possess those
characteristics.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs recognizes the invaluable
contributions to both human and veterinary medical knowledge that have
resulted from medical research on animal subjects. We believe that all
efficacious alternatives to the use of animal subjects should be explored
before using animal subjects, that the value of research results should
clearly merit use of animal subjects, and that standards of humane care and
treatment of animals should be scrupulously observed. Further, we believe
strongly that users of animals for research bear full responsibility for
ascertaining the source of their animals, and for assuring that suppliers
comply with Federal, state and local regulations.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs supports those parent breed clubs
which permit tail docking in their Standards. Tail docking is done for both
health and cosmetic reasons. Tail docking is normally done when the puppies
are a few days old, before the nerves are mature enough to register pain.
Some Terriers which "go to ground" require the docked tail to provide a firm
handle to grasp to remove them from a burrow. Some breeds, such as Boxers,
Dobermans and Rottweilers are docked so that an intruder does not have a
tail to hold on to. Hunting breeds such as Cockers and Springers are docked
to avoid serious and painful tail injury when hunting in bramble thickets.
Many docked tail breeds, such as the spaniels, are severe tail waggers -
their tails would be susceptible to injury as they beat fences and any other
objects during the normal course of a day.
The California Federation of Dog Clubs supports those parent breed clubs
which permit ear cropping in their Standards. Ear cropping is done for both
health and cosmetic reasons. Some croppings are done to present a more
formidable appearance. Some croppings increase the air circulation and thus
prevent ear infections. Some breeders, in those breeds where ear cropping is
traditional, do not crop pet puppies.
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