Posted: Thursday, July 2, 2009, 3:11 p.m., EDT

North Carolina’s Senate Finance Committee has approved an amended version of Senate Bill 460, which seeks to regulate the commercial breeding of dogs. The full Senate is now scheduled to hear the bill on July 8.

Senate Bill 460 directs the state Board of Agriculture to establish standards of care for animals at commercial breeding operations. A “commercial breeder” is defined as any person who owns or maintains 15 or more intact female dogs of breeding age and 30 or more puppies for the purpose of the sale.

The standards of care are to include provisions for daily exercise, veterinary care, housing and record keeping. Penalties are provided for commercial breeders who fail to provide adequate care for the animals.

Under Senate Bill 460, no commercial breeder would be allowed to operate in the state without first obtaining an annual license. Failure to obtain a license would constitute a Class 2 misdemeanor.

The American Kennel Club is calling on the state’s “responsible owners and breeders” to speak out in opposition of the bill, which the organization says is “ineffective” and will cost North Carolina more than $400,000 a year to enforce. Specifically, the organization claimed that the definition provided for a commercial breeder is vague. The AKC also raised concerns over state inspections of a breeder’s private property, which it said would be allowed “at any time of day or night.” Lastly, the AKC opposes Senate Bill 460 because it said the measure does not allow dog breeders and animal care experts to provide input in developing standards of care. 

Click here to view Senate Bill 460. <HOME>