Stacey Ober, J.D. Legislative Analyst Community Outreach New England Region March 1, 2019 The Honorable Christine Cohen, Senate Chair The Honorable Michael Demicco, House Chair Joint Committee on Environment Legislative Office Building, Room 3200 Hartford, CT 06106 RE: American Kennel Club Supports HB 6016, Requiring Municipal Animal Control Facilities to Comply with Department of Agriculture Sanitation and Humane Treatment Regulations Dear Co-Chairs and Members of the Joint Committee: Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club (AKC) is a recognized and trusted expert in health, breeding, training and responsible dog ownership. As the largest purebred dog registry, we are dedicated to ensuring the health and wellbeing of all dogs and to preserving each unique breed; many which predate recorded history. We represent over 5,100 dog clubs nationally, including 57 clubs in Connecticut. In 2017, the AKC licensed and sanctioned 227 events in the state of Connecticut, in which more than 25,700 dogs participated. Surveys demonstrate that exhibitors at AKC conformation dog shows spend an average of $685 per show weekend. The American Kennel Club strongly supports and actively promotes a wide range of programs to educate the public about responsible breeding practices and dog ownership to ensure that all dogs receive the care, love, and attention they deserve. The American Kennel Club supports reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the health, welfare and humane treatment of dogs and do not restrict the rights of purebred breeders and owners who meet their responsibilities. In 2017, the Connecticut General Assembly enacted HB 6334 upon knowledge that the former head of SPCA of Connecticut, Fred Acker, was sentenced to prison after his second conviction on charges of animal mistreatment. Signed into law by the governor, as of October 2017 all Connecticut animal shelter facilities not located in a home must be registered, regulated, inspected and provided oversight by the state.1 (Public Act No. 17-167) Before the committee today, HB 6016 would require municipal dog pounds to comply with current minimum safe and sanitary conditions in the care and keeping of animals. These are basic requirements, which if not met, put the public and animals at serious risk of infectious disease. The Department of Agriculture’s current regulations include a definition for “dog pound” and it may be wise to also codify the definition with enactment of HB 6018. “Dog Pound” means a building provided and maintained by a city or town which is used for the detention and care of impounded dogs or other facilities including licensed veterinary hospital or licensed commercial kennel which, through written agreement with a town, is used for the detention and care of impounded dogs.2 The American Kennel Club, the Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners and your constituents who are their members support HB 6016. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any reason at 919-816-3348 or [email protected]. Sincerely, Stacey Ober, J.D. Legislative Analyst/Community Outreach - New England Region AKC Government Relations Cc: Laurie Maulucci, President Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners 1Reid, L., “Stopping Abuses at Shelters,” The Hartford Courant, July 21, 2017, accessed February 26, 2019 at https://www.courant.com/opinion/letters/hc-stopping-abuses-at-shelters-20170721-story.html 2 Connecticut Department of Agriculture Regulations Section 22-336-13 Definitions accessed February 26, 2019 at https://www.ct.gov/doag/lib/doag/pdf/regulations_-_dog_pounds.pdf .