Why Proposition B Should Stay on the Books

Thank you for your writing, Leslie.

Your point is very good: people can access the bill text directly and see for themselves the truth.

Sorry, you lost me at "Christian Ethics". Whice ones are you referning to?

"It cannot be ignored that Christianity offers a convenient divine mandate for hatred and violent acts against a wide range of people in our diverse country. Christians are going to have to seriously rethink and revamp their faith if they are going to join in building a prosperous, pluralistic America of the future."

http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/christian/blfaq_viol_modernamerica.htm

Let us be clear: these are not separate bills; Prop B is an AMENDMENT to the existing ACFA. It offers no means of enforcement nor a plan to address the unlicensed breeders in this state despite the fact that the HSUS touted it as the Puppy Mill Bill. I really would like to know how it will further enforce the current law beyond what MDA is able to now do and how it will find, address, and deal with the unlicensed and backyard breeders. I truly want to know.

"Snarky?" I am looking for a civilized discussion, not a mud slinging one, please. Factual discourse is needed to save animals.

Silverwalk, you answered your own question:

"Let us be clear: these are not separate bills; Prop B is an AMENDMENT to the existing ACFA."

Funding for enforcement is part of the regulations that form the mandate for ACFA. And there is no differentiation between license and unlicensed breeders, but ACFA also has addition regulations regarding unlicensed breeders.

Proposition B did not need to repeat what was already part of law.

Excuse me, amendment. I was very angry when I read this before church. After the assasination attempt yesterday and doing Handel's Messiah at Trinity Lutheran later on this afternoon, I just reacted. If you are an atheist. fine, this does not concern you, I was one myself for 30 years. I just hate it when people use the term "Christian" innapropriately.

The big change in the amendment was you couldn't have over 50 dogs. Thank God. I studied this very hard last summer because of the e mail I kept getting from that kennel group.

The new amendment cleaned up the old messy one. Lets be clear. It was messy.

Leslie

If funding is part of ACFA and not affected by Prop B, then why, as part of the Prop B listing on the ballot, would Prop B cost the taxpayers' more than $500,000 to put into place? Just asking....

Because the Department of Agriculture needs additional inspectors, but it needs additional inspectors regardless of what happens with Proposition B.

However, the Department of Agriculture must take some responsibility for this state, since (according to state audit) it has not done an effective job of insuring the appropriate fees are paid by licensed breeders.

Regardless, Proposition B does not have a mandate to reform the Department of Agriculture, nor the current licensing fee structure. It is up to the Department of Agriculture to review its fee structure and do what is necessary to ensure enough inspectors.

Whatever it does, Proposition B does not add additional work for the inspectors. If anything, having fewer than 50 dogs per breeder should decrease the demand on inspector time.

Some communities (1 or 2, I can't remember) also thought they may have increased costs for enforcement, but at the same time, some communities also felt they may save money in the long run by there being fewer puppy mills, and less demand on shelters.

One means for more funding starting this year is a fee/tax to rescues/shelters of $100 plus $1 for each dog going through their rescue alive. What dismays me about this new tax is only live dogs are taxed; not those who are killed...so I could kill all my adoptable dogs (which I won't) but will be taxed on those I save. This is a sad message. But yes, here is one way funding is being acquired. Shelters/rescues did not previously have any fees/taxes.

Explain to me why the new law changes the required number of feedings per day from 2 to 1?

Explain to me how this new law is going to be enforced when the existing laws were not fully enforced?

Explain to me how 51 dogs is a Puppy Mill and 50 dogs is not?

@littleblackdogs - you answered the last question bebo had but not the first two - what are your thoughts on those questions? Thanks for civil discourse.

Just as an update, I got a note from that man at hurd kennels because they never stop sending me things. He said he was robbed in London and would all of us please send him money. He only needed 3000.00. I don't believe that. Do you? In case you don't already know, hurdkennels@aol.com was the group against the amendment.