Two bills are pending in the Iowa Senate that would impose
detrimental requirements on those who are classified as "commercial
breeders". In current law, a "commercial breeder" is defined as anyone who owns at least four intact dogs or cats and receives any consideration for breeding.
These bills would significantly restrict the ability of those who
meet this definition to continue to own and breed dogs. Responsible dog
owners who reside or participate in dog events in Iowa are urged to ask
Iowa Senators to oppose both Senate File 2073 and Senate Study Bill
3159.
Background:
Iowa Code defines a "commercial breeder" as someone who sells,
exchanges, or leases dogs (or even offers to do so) in return for
consideration. While those who keep dogs or cats for "hunting, for
practice training, for exhibition at shows or field or obedience trials"
are exempted, if anyone has four or more intact dogs and receives any
kind of consideration for breeding, they are considered a commercial
breeder and must be licensed, inspected, and comply with commercial
breeder laws. This would include offering a stud dog and receiving any
compensation or "consideration" from the resulting litter. The term
"consideration" is not defined. [READ MORE]
