Front Cover Summer 2019

KATHERINE JACOBSON

various weather conditions. This bill would require the De-

The AKC governmental relations department has been busy

partment of Agriculture and Markets to issue “red and blue

this year with a number of concerning legislative proposals,

code alerts through public service announcements to notify all

each of which would have a detrimental effect on dog owners,

owners of companion animals in the area to bring their ani-

breeders, exhibitors and competitive events. Two come from

mals inside.” A blue alert would be issued when the tempera-

the state of New York where the Environmental Conservation

ture will reach 25 degrees or lower without precipitation, 32

Committee in the state assembly is considering a bill that

degrees or lower with precipitation, or if the wind chill will be

would prohibit any contest or competition where the objective

lower than zero degrees for at least two hours. A red alert

is the hunting or taking of wildlife for prizes or entertain-

would be issued when the heat index is forecasted to be 95-99

ment. This bill would severely impact the ability of those who

degrees for at least two consecutive days, or when tempera-

wish to compete with the traditional sporting breeds in events

tures reach 100-104 degrees for any length of time. No one

designed to showcase a dog’s original purpose. Although the

would be able to leave an animal outside or in a vehicle when

state assembly amended the bill to exclude field trials in dog

an alert has been issued. Those who violate the alerts will be

training areas, it would nonetheless prevent other competi-

given a warning and if they do not comply, the animals may

tions in the state when wildlife is killed. The official memo for

be seized. The bill does exempt working dogs and situations

the bill includes language straight from the animal activists’

when appropriate shelter is provided, however, it is not clear

talking points when it states that “competitions or contests

if shelter is required when the dog is outside for a brief period

such as these are inhumane and provide incentive to killing

or if the owner is present. The principle problem with the bill

animals for glory, prizes or titles. They are different from the

is that it specifies particular temperatures as dangerous, again

average hunting experience since they are often rigged with

without taking into consideration the vast differences among

animals that cannot escape. In many cases these competitions

dogs’ ability to tolerate heat or cold. This is yet another ex-

are conducted in a party-like atmosphere and are more like

ample of how a “one size fits all” approach to a perceived

slaughters or massacres and are unsportsmanlike. These com-

problem might prove to have unintended consequences. Every

petitions would be considered cruel by a typical hunter and

dog should be provided with adequate shelter and a safe envi-

promote excessive and unnecessary killing of wildlife.” Such

ronment, but designating arbitrary temperatures as

hyperbole, when coupled with the ignorance of many legisla-

“dangerous” will not replace a dog owner’s understanding of

tors as to what a field trial actually is, can be used to accom-

his or her companion and could even result in the seizure of a

plish a radical animal rights agenda at the expense of people

dog who was in no danger at all, or the death of one left out

dedicated to the preservation of purpose-bred dogs.

at a “safe” temperature.

The second problematic bill currently advancing through the

It is up to us, as dog owners and lovers, to protect our dogs

New York legislature would restrict when dogs are permitted

and our interests and to remain vigilant in our opposition to

to be outdoors. As it is currently written, Senate Bill 4577

those who would decide what is best for us and for our be-

would designate certain temperatures as too dangerous for a

loved companions.

dog to be outside. Such legislation utterly fails to take into

account the vast differences among breeds’ ability to tolerate

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