The Governor Vetoes Bills
PetPAC Statement on Monday, October 12th.
Governor Veto’s Anti- Pet Bills
---agrees with PetPAC.
PetPAC, along with California Federation of Dog Clubs, and We The People Pets, opposed AB 241, AB 243 and AB1122. This is in addition to our fight to stop SB 250, the mandatory spay and neuter bill. Bill Hemby speaking for PetPAC and CFoDC and Diane Amble speaking for We The People Pets, attended every one of the hearings of each of these anti-pet bills and testified against them.
AB 241 set a cap of 50 intact adult dogs and cats that could be owned or possessed by an individual and a business. But AB 241 wasn't about 50 dogs or cats, it was about making that number of animals a violation of animal cruelty law, regardless of the condition of the animals. It was about confiscating all of your dogs under the cruelty laws; it was about HSUS' vow to reduce that cap every year. In Tennessee the cap has been reduced to 20 dogs. AB 241 was about making it a crime if someone even counsels you if you have been charged with this violation---like your attorney. The bill would have affected businesses such as Boarding Kennels, K9 purveyors, Guide dog facilities, etc. In his veto message, Governor Schwarzenegger pointedly wrote that the number 50 was arbitrary. he also alluded to making criminals of law abiding dog owners. That is exactly what PetPAC testified to during the session.
“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
AB 243: Is about animal cruelty, but it allows all of your dogs to be confiscated regardless if you are acquitted of any crime; it allows them to never return your animals even if you are not charged, that’s right, not even charged, arrested or convicted of animal cruelty. The governor rightfully pointed out that existing law already allows for a court to confiscate animals under conviction, and AB 243 went well beyond proper judicial law.
“To the Members of the California State Assembly:
I am returning Assembly Bill 243 without my signature.
This bill would require a judge to make an order prohibiting a person convicted of specified animal-related crimes from owning, possessing, or caring for any animals for a minimum period of time. This measure is unnecessary. Judges already have the discretion to enter an order forbidding persons from caring for animals if it’s warranted. Making this order mandatory could unjustly impact individuals who make a living working with or caring for animals. Consequently, I am unable to sign this bill.”
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
AB 1122 prohibited selling, or giving away any live animal on a public street or right or way, parking lot etc. You will notice, all dog shows are in city or county fairgrounds. The roads in those fair grounds are public right of ways, public streets. That is where we set up for the shows. If we set up in the show parking lot, that is prohibited too. Have you ever delivered a puppy or dog to someone who lives far away, so you meet them "half way". Usually its at a coffee shop parking lot. Right? Illegal! Meet at a public park to sell a puppy? Illegal! Under AB 1122 the selling wasn't illegal, it was the location. The penalty was animal cruelty. All of the above would apply.
“I am returning Assembly Bill 1122 without my signature.
I am concerned with the scope and unintended consequences of this bill and that it does not assure the humane and ethical treatment and welfare of animals. This bill has unknown costs associated with the enforcement and implementation of prohibiting the sale of live animals in specified venues and could drive the selling of animals underground or to private sites.
For this reason I am unable to sign this bill.”
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger
