Open letter to my Oklahoma Congressmen

Open letter to my congressmen...

I would like for you to consider voting NO on Oklahoma House of Representatives HB 2745 and Oklahoma Senate SB 1712 should either of these come before you. These bills are based on emotion instead of science and were written by animal rights activists. I feel the possibility of a better suited alternative exists. Ms. Denny, even though she is a Veterinarian, has a very narrow view of her bill. I have tried to talk to her in the past about sitting down with Oklahoma breeders, but to no avail. This is not legislation based on representation, this is a witch hunt! A witch hunt based in special interest!  As many times as I have offered to have a open conversation about the issues, no one seems to want to do that.

I would like to point out one key point, assuming the passing of HB2745 as written, upon signing into law HB2745, will create a "fire sale" of Kennels and Canines in Oklahoma where in turn financial institutions, mostly local, will lose HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF IF NOT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS! Peoples homes and personal assets used as collateral to secure these loans will be forfeited. We are already seeing record high rates of unemployment and inflated costs of living in this state. Please do not contribute to these statistics. I know this is starting to sound like the proverbial 'broken record', but we are talking about our livelihood, our futures.
There is a better way! Don't let a narrow minded person driven by the Animal Rights Activists, destroy an entire industry when there are only a few bad apples. Most breeders take excellent care of  the animals they have. Like farmers and oil men if you destroy the very thing that makes your living, you won't be doing it for long. Perhaps if you considered enforcing the animal cruelty laws that are already in existence, we wouldn't need to spend more money to regulate an industry right out of business in Oklahoma.  That is provided that people are not falsely accused  which is an ear mark of the HSUS, Peta and the SPCA!
The American Kennel Club (AKC) defines a responsible breeder based on the quality of care and conditions provided to breeding stock and puppies, and the quality (including health, temperament and breed type) of the puppies they produce. Responsible breeders are not defined by the number of dogs kept, or whether they make a profit in selling dogs .
The AKC works hard to educate the public about responsible dog ownership and to defend the rights of all responsible owners and breeders. The AKC opposes the concept of breeding permits, breeding bans or mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs. Instead, they support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously.  America's Pet Registry and American KennelAssociation have taken a very similar stand.
Did you know that the dog breeders are already taxed beyond any other agriculture business in Oklahoma. When purchasing supplies for cattle, hogs, chickens, goats and horses you can use your farm tax exemption, however if you also raise dogs there is no sales tax exemption for feed or supplies.
Did you know that applying a sales tax to dogs will not generate the funds you will need to support this new bureaucratic entity? The reason why? Simple, anything sold out of state is not taxable by law. I would venture to guess that over 80% of dogs raised in Oklahoma are sold out of state.
Did you know that you can stop substandard kennels from operating in Oklahoma by enforcing the laws on the books, such as animal cruelty. This will also bring in revenue while not costing the people of this state more tax dollars to support another agency we don't need.  We need to set an example by prosecuting the worst of the worst. We don't need to create another economic problem by regulating good breeders (see definition as per the AKC above) out of business.
Did you know that the goal of the Humane Society of the United States is one generation and out.  In case you didn't know what the means, let me explain. The goal of the upper management is to pass a no breeding law in every state, or a mandatory spay and neuter bill in every state. This would effectively take away every companion animal and that is the goal. When they have taken your pets away they will start on your right to have livestock. This is a huge impact on a state that depends so strongly on agriculture.


Did you know that the Humane Society of the United States does not operate one shelter? Not one, yet they tug at the heart strings of all of us with those commercials. They take our money and do nothing but lobby against us. They do this under the veil of protection from taxation. You want money to help rid the state of substandard kennels, go after them for tax on the money they collect but don't pay tax on. Want proof, go look at their tax returns for the last 10 years. Go look at http://humanewatch.org http://consumerfreedom.com http://www.activistcash.comhttp://www.animalscam.com Take the time to educate yourself about the other side of the issue before you make one more vote that effects the future of so many.

SB1712 is authored by Sen. Anderson with Rep. Denney co-authoring.  It requires that sales tax be collected on all animals sold. It requires a board to administer it that will consist of 8 people, heavily loaded on the animal rights' side . This Board will adopt the rules by which we will be regulated, but they will adopt them after the bill is enacted. That way we will have NO say in the regulations we will have to follow. It allows the director to contract with another agency to get the inspectors.  Can we say HSUS?  This is just a couple highlights of SB1712.  I don't want the political machine know as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) telling you me how to run my kennel or take care of my dogs. The result will be confiscation, search & seizure and euthanasia.

Now for HB2745.  This bill was written by Rep. Denney and co-authored by
Sen. Anderson. This bill is a rewrite of HB1332 that we fought so hard to defeat last year.  This time around she says it is voluntary, but she was heard to say in committee that she wants it to be mandatory. That will take just one little amendment tacked on when legislators is tired and wanting to go home, to get the job done. She says that because of the budget shortfall, it might not be implemented for 2-3 years. You want to bet?  Make it mandatory, let them see dollar signs, and see how fast it gets enacted.

Neither one of these bills has a USDA exemption.  Would you want to try to comply with two sets of rules? USDA isn't going away because Oklahoma passes a new bill. That is Federal Law.

Both bills speak of fines and fees. SB1712 calls them 'reasonable fees'. Reasonable to whom? Can you put a number on what is reasonable to this legislature? Can you put a number on what is reasonable to a poor kid in South East Oklahoma who needs a way to support his family?

Neither bill tells anything about how they will stop the substandard kennels let alone find them.  So, guess who will get found and inspected first. Who they will cut their teeth on while trying to figure out their new system? I can guarantee you that they will start with the good breeders that are already USDA inspected as they are easy to find.

This is our future and the future of our children.  For many of us, this is our primary source of income.  For some, it is the difference between meds and food for us after we buy the dog food.  It is the future of agriculture in Oklahoma.  When they are through with us, they will move on to the cattle, horses, hogs and other livestock.

Remember we put you where you are and we can just as easily keep you from being re-elected.  This is Oklahoma and the last time I heard, it was still part of America which is governed by the Constitution which gives you freedom of speech among other freedoms that they are constantly being taken away.
Just so you understand, I want to make the point that I am very small hobby breeder and fall under the amount of dogs that makes me a target of these bills. I feel strongly that there should be consequences for abuse of all types. I hate to see substandard kennels. I am as opposed to so called "puppy mills" as Oprah Winfrey. However, I think the impact this type of legislation will make is only going to drive an already hard hit economic state even farther down, when all that is needed is to direct law enforcement to do their job.

Thank you for your time and consideration,