Ohio Sportsmen Should Say No to “Puppy Mill” and Vaccine Bills

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Sportsmen Alert!

Ohio hunters should be on high alert. The state House of Representatives, which is under intense pressure from animal rights groups and the media, is considering passing legislation creating a new state agency to regulate dog breeders and kennel owners.

The proponents claim House Bill 223 would only affect “puppy mills” but instead it would eliminate many sporting dog kennels through a tidal wave of fees, fines and red tape while instituting a statewide enforcement authority. The bill treats sporting dog kennels and abusive commercial breeders with the same iron fist. For a complete analysis of HB223 click here.

Additionally, the Senate is debating HB446, which would require that all rabies vaccines be administered by a veterinarian. This would drastically increase the cost of vaccinating dogs, by mandating additional vet visits. HB446 would also increase the minimum fees for registering dogs and kennels by 1000%.

These efforts are supported by the Humane Society of the United States and other animal rights/anti-hunting organizations. They are telling members of the legislature to pass these bills in December, just before newly elected legislators take office. This time period is referred to as lame duck session. Usually only emergency bills are passed during this timeframe.

Legislators must hear from Ohio sportsmen today regarding HB223 and HB446. They must be told how devastating these bills are and that there is no good reason to ram them through during lame duck session. These bills deserve a full and open debate prior to their passage.

Contact your legislator today through our Legislative Action Center. Tell them sportsmen’s concerns need to be addressed in HB223 and HB446 before the legislature kowtows to anti-hunting groups.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protect the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.