I am sure you are all aware by now that the California Senate has passed SB-1548 and it is going to the Assembly. This bill would ban ear cropping and it is possible it might even prevent the showing of cropped dogs.  The following are three important elements of this bill:
 

The anti cropping amendment was added at the last minute, most of the Senators did not even know it was in the bill.

Therefore there has been no debate on the issue.

There will be an economic impact upon California if this bill should become law.
    

It is quite apparent that this amendment was a midnight addition by Animal Rights people or their friends.  It is very important that this bill be defeated now. The long range fallout from such a law would be like a creeping virus moving from state to state. This is what happened in Europe, which has already banned cropping, docking and dew claw removal in many countries.

The American Boxer Club, Doberman Pinscher Club of America, and Great Dane Club of America have already put forward $5000 each. The Giant Schnauzer Club of America and the Miniature Pinscher Club have pledged $1000. The Saucon Valley Boxer Club is sending $200 and the Boxer Club of Arizona is sending $300. These funds are going to pay a lobbyist firm to try to have this amendment removed before it becomes law. The fee for the lobbyist firm is $25,000.

I am asking each Boxer Club to donate $100 or more toward this effort, and all ABC members and members of ABC member clubs to donate at least $25 each – the cost of an entry fee for a show.

In addition keep writing letters and sending emails to the California Assembly.  The bill did not make it before the July recess, giving us another month to flood them with OPPOSITION. Be sure to address each communication with **OPPOSITION SB 1548** at the top. All Boxer Club and member donations should be sent to ABC Treasurer Sharon Steckler, 1822 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX 77487-2516.

Purebred dog fanciers from all over California and beyond have been quick to respond in opposition to SB1548, legislation that would make it a misdemeanor to crop a dog's ears. AKC applauds your efforts, and we ask that you continue to politely contact Sen. Figueroa in this regard.

      The Honorable Liz Figueroa (D-10) Fremont
      State Capitol, Room 2057
      Sacramento, CA 95814
      (916) 445-6671
      Fax (916) 327-2433
      Senator.Figueroa@sen.ca.gov

      Additional help is now needed if fanciers are to defeat this legislation. Having passed the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions, SB1548 is now with the Committee on Appropriations. Purebred dog owners are encouraged to contact the committee members below and ask them not to place the bill on the docket for consideration. E-mails and faxes should be clearly marked SB1548-OPPOSITION.

      SB1548 currently has the support of the veterinary community because it contains many positive regulatory changes they would like to see enacted. AKC is therefore also urging fanciers to contact their veterinarians and ask for their help in removing the ear cropping provision from the bill. Local veterinarians should contact the bill sponsor directly, as well as the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), and strongly urge them to remove the ear cropping ban. Veterinarians should understand that once the government determines it can ban certain elective procedures, it may be just a short step away from removing veterinarians' and owners' rights to
make informed decisions about animal care and treatment.

      Other Points to Consider:

        a. When appropriate veterinary care is provided, ear cropping is a safe, acceptable practice.
        b. Responsible dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, should have the right to make decisions about proper care and treatment for
their pets-not the government.
        c. The issue has not had the full and open debate it deserves and therefore should be taken out of the bill.
        d. SB1548 will create serious animal cruelty risks if owners who cannot obtain veterinary care for ear cropping procedures irresponsibly choose to seek less-qualified sources.
        e. Enforcement will be a nightmare for already understaffed, under-funded animal control departments.

      Assembly Committee on Appropriations:

      Capitol Building #2114
      Sacramento, CA 95814
      Phone:916/319-2081

      MEMBERS: (D) 16 (R) 5

      Asm. Judy Chu (916/319-2049, FAX: 916/319-2149, no e-mail) [Chair]

      Asm. Sharon Runner (916/319-2036, FAX: 916/319-2136, Email:
sharon.runner@asm.ca.gov ) [Vice Chair]

      Asm. Patricia C. Bates (916/319-2073, FAX: 916/319-2173, no e-mail

      Asm. Patty Berg (916/319-2001,FAX: 916/319-2101, Email:
assemblymember.berg@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Ronald Calderon (916/319-2058, FAX: 916/319-2158, Email:
assemblymember.ron.calderon@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Ellen M. Corbett (916/319-2018, FAX: 916/319-2118, Email:
assemblymember.corbett@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Lou Correa (916/319-2069, FAX: 916/319-2169, Email:
assemblymember.correa@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Lynn Daucher (916/319-2072, FAX: 916/319-2172, Email:
assemblymember.daucher@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Marco A. Firebaugh (916/319-2050, FAX: 916/319-2150, Email:
assemblymember.firebaugh@asm.ca.gov )

      Asm. Jackie Goldberg (916/319-2045, FAX: 916/319-2145, Email:
assemblymember.goldberg@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Ray Haynes (916/319-2066, FAX: 916/319-2166, Email:
assemblymember.haynes@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Rick Keene (916/319-2003, FAX: 916/319-2103, Email:
assemblymember.keene@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Mark Leno (916/319-2013, FAX: 916/319-2113, Email:
assemblymember.leno@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Joe Nation (916/319-2006, FAX: 916/319-2106, Email:
joe.nation@asm.ca.gov )

      Asm. Gloria Negrete McLeod (916/319-2061, FAX: 916/319-2161, Email:
assemblymember.mcleod@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Jenny Oropeza (916/319-2055, FAX: 916/319-2155, Email:
assemblymember.oropeza@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Fran Pavley (916/319-2041, FAX: 916/319-2141, Email:
assemblymember.pavley@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Mark Ridley-Thomas (916/319-2048, FAX: 916/319-2148, Email:
assemblymember.ridley-thomas@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Herb Wesson (916/319-2047, FAX: 916/319-2147, Email:
assemblymember.wesson@assembly.ca.gov )

      Asm. Patricia Wiggins (916/319-2007, FAX: 916/319-2107, Email:
Patricia.wiggins@asm.ca.gov )

      Asm. Leland Yee (916/319-2012, FAX: 916/319-2112, Email:
assemblymember.yee@assembly.ca.gov )


      For more information, please read past Legislative Alerts about SB 1548 at the following link:
      http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2151