Bay State looks at breeder licenses

Massachusetts currently licenses pet shops. If a state lawmaker has his way, that law will be expanded to cover all breeders who sell puppies from more than one litter per year.

House Bill 1248 would amend Chapter 129, section 39A, of the State's General Laws by adding "This section shall apply to any person who produces more than one litter per year and sells the offspring from such litters. Said person shall be considered a commercial breeder."

Chapter 129, Section 39A, refers to the licensing of pet shops and states in its entirety:

"Chapter 129: Section 39A. Pet shops; licensing, necessity, fees, term, issuance, revocation; operation; animals, health inspections.

Section 39A. Every person engaged in the business of operating a pet shop, shall obtain a license therefor from the director, the fee for which shall be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven for the filing thereof, and such license shall expire on December thirty-first following the date of issuance, unless sooner revoked. The director, subject to the approval of the governor, may make rules and regulations governing the issuance and revocation of such licenses and the conduct of the businesses so licensed and relative to the maintenance of premises, buildings and conveyances, the health of the birds, mammals or reptiles and the method and time of inspection and checking of said animals.

This section shall not apply to a publicly or privately owned zoological park, a publicly owned animal pound, an institution, as defined in section one of chapter forty-nine A, to persons selling, exchanging or otherwise transferring the offspring of their personally owned animals, or to horse or cattle auctions."

The new language appears to contradict the last sentence in the current law that exempts anyone who sells his own animals.

Representative Paul Kujawski said that his bill was filed on behalf of the pet store industry to make sure that private breeders are also required to provide health checks for the puppies they sell. Since 97 percent of dogs sold in the state come from private breeders, he said, a law is necessary to protect dog owners, consumers, and breeders.

Rep. Kujawski will attend a dinner with the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs on March 30 to answer questions about the bill. Federation secretary Arthur N. Arakelian said he had a good conversation with the Rep. Kujawski and that the dinner holds some promise for constructive dialogue.

What you can do

If HB 1248 is not withdrawn, it will be heard in the Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee. NAIA joins the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs in asking fanciers to oppose the bill by calling Kujawski or a member of his staff at (617) 722-9960 or sending e-mail to Rep.PaulKujawski@hou.state.ma.us and contacting members of the Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture who will hear the bill. Committee members are listed at http://www.state.ma.us/legis/comm/j21.htm