DEFEATED BILLS

California Assembly Bill 241

California AB 241 was covered in previous installments of Your Dog, Your Rights. If passed, breeders in California could not have more than 50 dogs, and those that did would have faced tough decisions on what to do with the excess dogs. Nor was there any due process provided for in cases of dogs that were seized. However, on October 11, 2009, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill. His message to the members of the California State Assembly was as follows:

To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 241 without my signature.

This measure would make it a crime for any person or entity to own or control more than 50 unsterilized adult dogs or cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets. I support measures designed to prevent animal cruelty and that punish persons engaged in the abuse of animals. However, this measure simply goes too far in an attempt to address the serious problem of puppy mills. An arbitrary cap on the number of animals any entity can possess throughout the state will not end unlawful, inhumane breeding practices. Instead this measure has the potential to criminalize the lawful activities of reputable breeders, pet stores, kennels and charitable organizations engaged in raising service and assistance dogs.

For these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger

As a result, the bill is defeated. However, lawmakers may come up with a new, differently worded bill in the future. Animal rights groups are on the war path in California, from anti-dog legislation to farming practice legislation, and dog owners should remain on the lookout for future anti-dog bills to arise.

(back)