CONNECTICUT FEDERATION OF DOG CLUBS AND RESPONSIBLE DOG ...

[Pages:2]CONNECTICUT FEDERATION OF DOG CLUBS AND RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS, INC.

March 6, 2020

The Honorable Christine Cohen and Mike Demicco, Committee Chairs Joint Committee on Environment

Members of the Joint Committee on Environment

Re: Supports In Part & Opposes In Part, Request for Amendment Raised HB 5338 (LCO No. 1527), An Act Prohibiting the Sale of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia

Dear Chairs Cohen and Demicco and Members of the Committee:

The Connecticut Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners, Inc. ("CFDRDO") represents members of the currently 52 Connecticut dog clubs (affiliated with The American Kennel Club ("AKC")) as responsible dog owners of pure breed dogs that participate in conformation, obedience, agility, therapy dog, field and hunting trials and tracking events. In 2018, there were 4,643 dogs from Connecticut registered with the AKC and there were 221 AKC licensed events held in Connecticut in which more than 24,000 dogs participated. CFD-RDO's mission is to promote responsible dog ownership to include the general welfare of dogs and their owners.

CFD-RDO supports in part and opposes in part Raised HB 5338, An Act Prohibiting the Sale of Animal Fighting Paraphernalia. Our members, as responsible dog owners and breeders strongly condemn the practice of dog fighting and fully support all state laws making any form of participation in dog fighting a felony. CFD-RDO unequivocally opposes dog fighting and the breeding and/or training of dogs for fighting. We oppose in part raised HB 5338 based on the description of "animal fighting paraphernalia" used in lines 43-49. The equipment defined in this section of the bill includes, but is not limited to, equipment commonly used for legitimate training and conditioning of dogs, particularly in the areas of competitive performance dog events such as Agility, Obedience and Flyball. In addition, there are various sound medical reasons for the use of a treadmill as a means of conditioning a dog for existing conditions or for post-surgical rehabilitation.

We respectfully request you amend the bill to ensure that evidence of criminal intent is clear and ensures that ethical manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and users of equipment and supplies listed are not wrongfully accused of "intent" to utilize such items in conjunction with illegal animal fighting. The following is suggested language on how this distinction could be made:

Joint Committee on the Environment March 6, 2020 Page 2

It is the legislative intent that this section shall not apply to the training or use of hunting dogs for sport; to the training or use of dogs for law enforcement, service animal or military purposes; to the training or use of animals in lawful events and competitions; to the physical rehabilitation or conditioning of an animal for purposes of improving the animal's health; or for purposes of providing play, enrichment and exercise to an animal.

Thank you for the opportunity to express CFD-RDO's position on this bill. We would be happy to work with your committee in furtherance of this bill.

Respectfully submitted,

Laurie Maulucci, CFD-RDO President (contact: (860) 490-7666; mjmdanes@)

Mabel M. Diamond, CFD-RDO Legislative Liaison (contact: mmdiamond2@)

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