BREED TYPE UNDER ATTACK:
TALKING POINTS: WHAT LAWMAKERS AND THE PUBLIC NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HB 1102 • HB 1102 will devastate New Hampshire’s abil- ity to produce purebred dogs and will establish a dangerous precedent for radical legislative proposals around the country. • HB 1102 inaccurately concludes that all brachy- cephalic animals, including dogs, suffer from serious health issues. In reality, brachycephaly does not equal unhealthy. In fact, “brachycepha- ly” is an anatomical description, not a deformity. • Across all dog types, multiple factors can contribute to differences in dogs’ breathing, including physical condition, environment, and genetics. Nevertheless, all breeding of brachyce- phalic breeds—regardless of respiratory quality, breeder background, fancier status, or club affili- ation—will be a criminal act under HB 1102, which will have a chilling effect on all respon- sible dog breeding. • By banning intentional breeding when a “birth deformity causes suffering,” HB 1102 targets all breeds, regardless of phenotype. Breeding dogs is part art and part science; and despite best efforts, chance plays a part when it comes to inherited disease or health conditions. • HB 1102 inaccurately implies that all who breed dogs do so without regard for the dogs’ welfare. Facts demonstrate that responsible purebred dog breeders are passionate about both preserving breed characteristics and producing healthier successive generations. • Protecting and promoting responsible breeders and the puppies they produce is a better solution than threatening them with criminal prosecu- tion based on inaccurate information that creates a perverse incentive for New Hampshire residents to buy puppies online that are not protected by New Hampshire consumer protec- tion laws. • HB 1102 is unconstitutionally vague. There is no way to know how the provisions of HB 1102 would be interpreted and enforced for each breed type or for the varied number of health concerns that are purely internal. • Proponents of HB 1102 have failed to provide direct evidence of a prevalent issue with brachy- cephalic canine reproduction in New Hamp- shire that results in suffering to justify further consideration of HB 1102. Suggest an alternative: New Hampshire’s pet buy- ers would be better served through enforcement and strengthening of its consumer protection laws for pet purchasers.
Animal rights activists have gained significantly more ground in Europe than the US, where many groups, including the American Kennel Club (AKC), are working hard to fight this extremism. Given this history, it shouldn’t be surprising that key testimony in support of the New Hampshire proposal is expected to come not from a resident of New Hampshire but from a Brit- ish veterinarian flying in from the United Kingdom specifically to testify on this measure. New Hampshire lawmakers must be left in no doubt that the proposal is unpopular among their residents and should be voted as inexpedient to leg- islate. AKC; the New Hampshire Dog Owners of the Granite State (NH DOGS), AKC’s state federation; the New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Asso- ciation; and a coalition of sportsmen’s and animal welfare groups are working to oppose the measure. AKC and NH DOGS are working to educate lawmakers and correct misin- formation that necessarily equates a dog’s skull type (such as brachycephalic) or other structural attributes to poor health, and to educate about responsible and scientific approaches to canine health and breeding. AKC and NH DOGS urge all New Hampshire residents—and especially dog breeders, owners, and AKC parent clubs and affiliated clubs in New Hamp- shire—to immediately express strong opposition to HB 1102, and if possible, to attend the hearing in opposition. If you are able to attend and would like to coordinate your testimony with others, please contact: doglaw@akc.org . Non-NH residents are also encouraged to share their opposition to the mea- sure on a public portal, available at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/ remotetestimony/default.aspx . Now is the time to join the fight to protect the future of our breeds. The American Kennel Club and NH Dogs are working aggressively against this overt attempt to control breed type, but we can’t do it alone. Please take the time to educate lawmakers and those around you about responsible dog care and breeding practices—and the value of Breed Standards that are designed specifically to help breeders breed away from health issues and extremes while preserving the genetic diversity crucial for the health and well-being of each unique breed. Brachycephalic breeds were identified in this bill, but the next bill could target your breed.
“HB 1102 WILL DEVASTATE NEW HAMPSHIRE’S ABILITY TO PRODUCE PUREBRED DOGS AND WILL ESTABLISH A DANGEROUS
PRECEDENT FOR RADICAL LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS AROUND THE COUNTRY.”
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