*************please crosspost widely***************


SB-308 is a breeder licensing and "puppy lemon law" bill. Licensing
would be required for those selling 50 dogs or more. The "puppy lemon
law" portion of the bill attempts to legislate genetics. Every person
who sells even one puppy would be liable should the buyer's vet say
the puppy is sick, injured or has a genetic defect. Penalties for the
person who sold the pup include reimbursing the price paid to the
buyer, pay twice that amount to the buyer's vet, a $3,000 fine to the
state plus a criminal record. There is no parameters for what would
be considered a "sick" pup and could include anything, including
things as minor and common as puppy worms. Should there be a
second "sick" pup within a year (possibly two from the same litter),
the fine for that offense jumps to $10,000 - plus 90 days in prison!
If a seller tries to fight it in court, penalties could be doubled.

If this bill becomes law, breeders will stop selling puppies to
Wisconsin residents or stop breeding entirely. Who would want to risk
such harsh penalties?

Testimony was heard in January and the majority spoke against the
bill. Veterinarians are not supporting this bill. The Dog Federation
of Wisconsin (DFOW) is not supporting this bill. Dog clubs, breeders,
dog owners and even some animal shelters are not supporting this
bill. One of the bill sponsors has withdrawn her support of the bill -
- yet it is still moving through the process to become law.

SB-308 was referred to joint committee on Finance by committee on
Senate Organization in the Senate on January 29, 2008

Additional Information:
Bill History: http://www.legis. state.wi.us/2007/data/SB308hst. html
DFOW position statement: http://dfow.org
"Will Wisconsin Outlaw Dog Breeding?" Spaniel Journal article:
http://spanieljournal.com/32lbaughan.html

It is vital that Wisconsin residents contact their legislators and
tell them NOT to support SB-308. If you live in the district of any
of the Finance Committee members, please call and fax your letters of
opposition to them ASAP.

State of Wisconsin - 2008 Joint Committee on Finance -
Committee Members

Senator Mark Miller (D) Co Chair
Room 409 South, State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-9170
Fax: 608-266-5087

Representative Kitty Rhoades (R) Co-Chair
Room 309 East, State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-1526
Fax: 608-282-3630

Senator Dave Hansen (D) Vice-Chair
Room 18 South, State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-5670
Fax: 608-267-6791

Representative Dan Meyer (R)
Room 306 East, State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-7141
Fax: 608-282-3634

Senator Lena Taylor (D)
Room 415 South, State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-5810
Fax: 608-267-2353

Representative Jeff Stone (R)
Room 304 East, State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-8590
Fax: 608-282-3682

Senator Judy Robson (D)
Room 211 South, State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-2253
Fax: 608-267-5171

Representative Steve Kestell (R)
Room 320 East, State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-8530
Fax: 608-282-3627

Senator John Lehman (D)
Room 310 South, State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-1832
Fax: 608-267-6793

Representative Scott Suder (R)
Room 324 East, State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 267-0280
Fax: 608-282-3669

Senator Julie Lassa (D)
Room 323 South, State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-3123
Fax: 608-267-6797

Representative Robin Vos (R)
Room 321 East, State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-9171
Fax: 608-282-3663

Senator Alberta Darling (R)
Room 131 South, State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-5830
Fax: 608-267-0588

Representative Mark Pocan (D)
Room 322 West, State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-8570
Fax: 608-282-3678

Senator Luther Olsen (R)
Room 22 South, State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707
(608) 266-0751
Fax: 608-267-4350

Representative Pedro Colón (D)
Room 104 North, State Capitol
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 267-7669
Fax: 608-282-3608

--
Coreen Kitto
Oak Ridge Cockers
3516 Baker Ford Road
Platteville WI 53818
608-348-5593
www.cockerspanielinformation.com

"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock."
– Thomas Jefferson