The American Kennel Club, a not-for-profit organization, world’s largest purebred dog registry, and leading advocate for dogs, has lauded the draft bill for the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 released by the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. This must-pass bill reauthorizes U.S. Department of Agriculture programmes for five years and typically serves as a vehicle to address federal priorities in the federal Animal Welfare Act.
“We appreciate the tireless and bipartisan efforts of House Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson and his staff in presenting a bill that not only supports U.S. agriculture needs, but also supports important priorities for dog enthusiasts, including canine health, welfare and the rights of responsible dog owners,” said Dennis B. Sprung, American Kennel Club president and chief executive officer.
Earlier, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals denounced the animal-related provisions in the $1.5 trillion Farm Bill, saying it includes “dangerous provisions” that would overturn existing state and local animal welfare laws, with disastrous consequences for farm animals and higher-welfare farmers. Furthermore, it said, the bill not only fails to provide critically needed enforcement advancements to protect dogs in puppy mills, it actually makes it harder to help dogs that are suffering. The organization also said the bill fails to protect tens of thousands of American horses which are exported for slaughter each year.
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 will be marked up by the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday. In a press release, the American Kennel Club listed several aspects of the bill related to dogs and said it and its constituents urge the U.S. House Agriculture Committee to advance “these positive initiatives” without amendment. Following are the dog-related highlights of the bill’s base text mentioned in the club’s release:
- Enhanced protections for dogs under the federal Animal Welfare Act, including expanded resources for educational outreach.
- Additional resources for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to better enforce the Animal Welfare Act, including reporting to Congress on existing enforcement with recommendations for improving enforcement.
- Clarifications that visual dental examination should be included in existing annual veterinary requirements.
- Improvement of USDA response related to any dogs found in a state of “unrelieved suffering” by requiring better and more timely notification of state and local authorities if an inspector finds that dogs are being kept in unacceptable conditions.
- Expansion of the USDA’s electronic health documentation requirements for pets entering the USA. This reflects language in the Healthy Dog Importation Act (HR 1184) by requiring electronic records documentation on dogs prior to their importation that confirms the dog is in good health; microchipped; has received all necessary vaccination and parasite treatments, demonstrated negative test results, and has a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian; and in the case of a dog intended for transfer, is at least 6 months old. Exceptions are provided for dogs that are personal pets of U.S. origin returning to the USA; U.S. military working dogs; for research purposes; and coming to the USA solely for veterinary treatment; among several others.
- Provision of funding for transitional shelters for victims of domestic violence that allow victims to shelter with a pet. This measure reflects efforts privately supported by the American Kennel Club Humane Fund that ensure that concern for a pet left behind does not prevent a victim of domestic abuse from seeking needed safety and shelter.
- Codification and provision of permanent funding for the USDA’s National Detector Dog Training Center in Newnan, Georgia, which trains specially selected dogs (and their handlers) to identify invasive pests and diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture. The measure, previously known as the Beagle Brigade Act, also grants authority to create additional training facilities and an off-site training programme.
Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is a not-for-profit organization which maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world and oversees the sport of purebred dogs in the USA. It is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs, and breeding for type and function. Along with its more than 5,000 licensed and member clubs and its affiliated organizations, the club advocates for the purebred dog as a family companion, advances canine health and well-being, works to protect the rights of all dog owners, and promotes responsible dog ownership. More than 26,000 competitions for American Kennel Club-registered purebred and mixed breed dogs are held under the club’s rules and regulations each year, including conformation, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, herding, lure coursing, coonhound events, scent work, hunt tests, field and earthdog tests.
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Source: PR Newswire
