Pass laws to help dog overpopulation.?

As a follow up to my last question (if u read it), Does anyone think it is possible to pass laws restricting breeding to breeders who take the time to properly place the puppies in suitable homes? To prevent people who have abandoned a dog from getting another? To perhaps create a screening process, enforced by city hall, on people who want a pet similar to how we handle human adoption? To educate people somehow on being lifetime owners, not impulse buyers? The government seems to think it is doing enough by telling people to spay/neuter their pets... As usual, they have put a band-aid on a gaping gangrenous wound and called it a day! 30% of ALL dogs, purebreed and mutt, dies in the home where they first came to as pups, a whopping 70% are given away or abandoned, because the stupid owner didn't realize that a dog is a living creature who requires care, not a stuffed animal or thing that can be turned off when it is not convienent for the owner to care for it! How can we make this law?

PS I am an American Pit Bull Terrier breeder and am totally pro-breeding, but I take the time to place my pups, screen the home, and make my clients sign a binding contract stating that they cannot abandon the dog or give it to anyone other than ME in the event that they no longer want the dog at ANY point in his life. These precautions must be taken with my breed, because the WORST people are today attracted to this dog, sadly, and these tough-guy sickos must be weeded out... But the gov't is more interested in banning pit bulls, the easy, WRONG solution, then making what I do mandatory!

I don't think you can legislate this... nor do I believe that if you could you should want to.

Better screening of potential owners by breeders is one answer.

The other answer is increased responsibility by pet owners.

Attempting to legislate ends up with all sorts of other issues that make the situation WORSE not better.

I think one major measure to prevent over population is to shut down all puppy mills. They contribute to the dog population more than any other source, and they pay no attention to genetic defects, or the health of the dogs. There should be a screening process, but you know most pet shops won't want to do that. I think there should be regulations, but people should not be foced to spay or neuter their pets (not that I'm saying you said that). People who buy at pet shops usually buy for the cute cuddly aspect of it. People should be screened, and I agree with the Pit Bulls, they are wonderful dogs, just like any other breed, but if raised, and trained wrong. I hate those cases, cause they usually put the dogs down cause they are 'unadoptable'. The breeder we got our pugs from (except 1, which was a rescue) does a background check, and makes sure that the person she places them with is suitable. Also, she tells us to bring the dog back to her if we can no longer care for it. There really should be regulations, but the government won't put the effort into it. There should also be some kind of license, or something that somebody must aquire to breed and sell pupppies. Not sure how well that would work, but it's an idea. People who abuse and neglect and abandon dogs make me so mad, the laws should be more strict on abuse and neglect. They are like children, only less sticky. The dogs deserve better!

Not in my lifetime...most municipalities consider dogs property and require only the most minimal of care: food, water, shelter, and of course no physical abuse. Those cities that have elevated dogs to companion status with guardians rather than owners are often derided and called PETA loving tree huggers. sigh...

I am a Mastiff Breeder with high standards. Yes, it should be more like adopting a human baby. Maybe not quite as strict, but there should be more to it! We volunteer at the shelter in our town and foster dogs. I hate to see ?'s on here like "HELP! My dog is having puppies and I don't know what to do!" It makes me sick. We have been breeding for years, and it took me years before to prepare myself for breeding. I have a list of questions I ask everyone who wants a pup from me. Some of them are personal, and some of them are financial. If they ask me "Is that the least you will take?" they don't get a pup from me. If they are worried about paying the puppy price, I wonder if they will be willing to spend $$ at the vet, or even on a proper food for the dog. We give lifetime support on our pups and I will always buy the puppy back if need be. But, unfortunately I think it will take ALOT to get laws passed. Maybe we can contact our congressmen or mayors and get some wheels turning. Oh, where I live, they just passed a law on "aggressive breeds" that you have to register them, if not, they will take your dog(probably kill it) and fine you.

I don't think passing laws regarding breeding will help. I mean, puppy mills are ALREADY illegal. Passing laws regarding how to breed will create new (and possibly expensive) stumbling blocks for responsible breeders. Responsible breeders will happily jump over these blocks and the BYBs will still simply bypass the system entirely. I think better enforcement of the current laws and educating the puppy buying public are the best ways to combat this problem.

Hello All
I so agree with Passing this law and I think it needs to start with the Designer Breeds as they are just breeding more mutts for money
We all need to have Iron Clad contracts as I do and I will refuse a sale if I have a ill feeling of a perspective Buyer and I do not hesitate to go just drop in on a purchaser to see how my pup is being treated and there is a clause that I can reposes a Pup if I do not feel it is meeting the guidelines I have noted in my contract
I am so very very Strict as I am so concerned about the over Population
I see so many adds for Please rescue this labradoolde or this Maltipom and so on and it is a constant thing it infuriates me as the breeders have no concerns other than to line there pockets
I have called on a few breeders acting as a interested Buyer and I was appalled @ the housing not only for the Pups but for the actual Humans doing the Breeding it was horrid and I made sure and let them know
So IF there is anyway we can get a bill written up then get it passed I will be there to go every step of the way to make sure it becomes A law
Lets keep our Fingers Crossed we can all follow threw with this
Thank You

Legislation is all well and good, but who enforces it? Where I live, (Northern Ireland) it is compulsory to license your dog. It costs 拢5 a year ($10). Not a great deal of money. But people don't do it. Similarly, there are fines if you don't clean up after your dog. But only if you are caught. There are 2 part-time dog wardens in my area, and they spend most of their time rounding up strays. Now they've brought in a bye-law saying that all dogs must be kept on a lead in council-owned parks. I feel it is people like me, who have a neutered dog, who pick up the poop, who pay the fiver every year, who keep the vaccinations up to date - blah, blah, blah, I'm getting screwed, while the people who don't give a toss just carry on doing what they like regardless, and they get away with it. End of rant.