Problematic legislation in Virginia that banned the sale or transfer of dogs in public places, such as parking lots, parks or rest stops, has been amended to exclude hobby breeders and transactions involving hunting dog. The original version of the bill would have penalized routine transfers of hunting dogs at neutral, public locations.
Senate Bill 1001 was amended by the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee at the request of sportsmen and hobby breeders throughout Virginia to include a provision that exempts any transactions involving hunting dogs, as well as individual transactions from breeders who sell less than 30 puppies per year. The bill subsequently cleared the full House of Representatives, and the state Senate concurred with the changes intact.
“This legislation is a perfect example of sportsmen and dog enthusiasts working in a constructive manner to make sure their concerns were addressed,” said Adam Wright, USSA’s associate director of state services. “Senate Bill 1001, as amended, will no longer make sportsmen and small, hobby breeders collateral damage in the legislature’s efforts to go after problem breeders and fly-by-night operations.”
The bill is currently awaiting action on the governor’s desk.
About the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) is a 501(c)4 organization and provides direct lobbying and grassroots coalition support to protect and advance the rights of hunters, trappers, anglers and scientific wildlife management professionals. The USSA is the only organization exclusively devoted to combating the attacks made on America’s sportsman traditions by anti-hunting and animal rights extremists. This is accomplished through coalition building, ballot issue campaigning and legislative and government relations. Stay connected to USSA: Online, Facebook and Twitter.