Ex-ASPCA CEO Disowns ASPCA “Puppy Mill” Campaign

August 25, 2014  Humane Watch

We announced our skepticism last week over the appointment of Ed Sayres, former CEO of the ASPCA, as head of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), the pet industry’s trade group. Notably, Sayres’ tenure at ASPCA and his statements about pet breeding were cause for concern. Given that the PIJAC board’s vote was 9-7 to offer him the job, there was a bit of concern among members of the industry, as well.

Sayres has issued an “open letter” stating the following, in part:

The current [pet store] retail bans generate theatrics, but not solutions, about how more people can enjoy the benefits of dog ownership. If regulations are too stringent, they will drive breeding to the unregulated underground. If they are too lax, they will allow substandard operators to stay in business. I believe my professional experience makes me well qualified to lead the discussions around these issues and find common ground. […]

In retrospect, given the nature of the ASPCA’s mission, I had a rather limited view during my tenure as the organization’s CEO, responding in the field to horrific substandard operators who represent a small minority of breeders — not the majority. My view in light of those circumstances formed the basis for the statements I made during that period and campaigns that were developed under my leadership. I know now that I was misinformed about the majority of breeders who work diligently to raise puppies humanely and to find lifetime homes through retail channels. While many in the animal welfare field still want to paint all breeders with the same low standards brush, I look forward to opening their eyes to the true nature of the breeding business.

That’s a very telling comment. Sayres says the ASPCA campaign overstated the problem. (Probably for PR and fundraising purposes, we’d wager.) No doubt, he would have the same words for HSUS’s campaign.

Meanwhile, Bob Baker, formerly an ASPCA investigator and HSUS employee, is lashing out, calling Sayres a “fake animal welfare person” who wasn’t respected in the animal rights movement. Baker was a proponent of “Prop B” in Missouri in 2010, which sought to increase restrictions on dog breeders. It’s an entirely predictable reaction from the animal rights community.

Sayres has a choice.  He’s not going to please the animal rights campaigners, who want to put the pet industry out of business and who Sayres now says operate with a skewed version of the facts.

If Sayres wants to be a good leader for the pet industry, then he has to prove himself and be proactive. If he is truly a convert then it will be obvious from his agenda, which should be shared with the industry. Goals will be a start but not enough to be convincing. Founders of both Greenpeace and MADD eventually broke with their organizations and have actively spoken out against their former organization agendas. Sayres has the same opportunity to lobby aggressively against HSUS and ASPCA and make his views known that they aren’t telling the full story. In particular, he also has to work to reverse the retail bans that have taken effect in some localities—not simply stop new bans.

Sayres has an “insider’s” perspective on animal-rights campaigns and could use it effectively, if he chooses to. We’ll be watching to see if he does. As Ronald Reagan said, “Trust, but verify.”

RELATED

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What Were They Thinking? (Part Deux)

NC ALERT: STOP HOUSE FROM ADDING HSUS PLAN TO BUDGET

The HSUS/McCrory plan to regulate dog breeders and transfer animal welfare from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Division was written in the Governor’s Recommended Budget, Senate Bill 842 and House Bill 1208.

On May 31 the Senate passed their 2014 budget bill, SB 744, WITHOUT including this plan.  SB 744 has been sent to the House.

The proposed regulatory plan would license and inspect anyone possessing more than nine intact females regardless of ownership or breeding activity.  There are NO EXEMPTIONS for hunting dogs, co-ownerships, working, herding, or security dogs.

Indoor and outdoor kennels must meet standards in the NC Animal Welfare Act which are based on Federal regulations. Surfaces with which dogs come in contact must be constructed so that they are impervious to moisture and can be readily sanitized.

The plan would also transfer animal welfare enforcement from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Division which has no experience in animal husbandry. It is a waste of precious resources to turn this Division's essential staff into puppy police.

Moving Animal Welfare to the Department of Public Safety is an attempt to start rewriting laws regarding animal welfare in accordance with the animal rights agenda.

The plan creates a state database available to the public of everyone who owns/co-owns more than nine intact female dogs.

If you thought HSUS only wanted to regulate "puppy mills" think again. Advocates are lobbying House members to have their plan added to the House Budget.

ACTION REQUIRED NOW
CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE IN THE HOUSE.  Ask them to OPPOSE the transfer of Animal Welfare and dog dealer regulations.  House Members: http://tinyurl.com/2b56d

Contact Appropriation Committee Chairs and ask them to reject the plan.

Rep. Nelson Dollar
919-715-0795
nelson.dollar@ncleg.net

Rep. Justin Burr
919-733-5908
Justin.Burr@ncleg.net  

Rep. Bryan Holloway
919-733-5609
Bryan.Holloway@ncleg.net
 
Rep. Linda Johnson
919-733-5861
Linda.Johnson2@ncleg.net  

Rep. Pat McElraft
919-733-6275
Pat.McElraft@ncleg.net

For additional contact information, talking points, and updates visit SAOVA

PLEASE CROSS POST WIDELY
Susan Wolf
Sportsmen's and Animal Owners' Voting Alliance

NC Governor McCrory’s Plan now SB 842

SB 842 Governor’s Budget filed May 22, 2014 contains the HSUS/McCrory plan to license and regulate dog breeders and to transfer the Animal Welfare Section to the Department of Public Safety, Law Enforcement Division. SB 842 revises the General Statutes definition of dog dealer to mean any person who sells or offers to sell, exchange, or donate animals, or any persons in a household who collectively maintain a total of more than nine mature intact female animals, regardless of ownership, or any persons acting in concert with others where they collectively maintain more than nine mature intact females regardless of ownership. There are no exemptions for co-ownerships, show dogs, sporting dogs, working, herding, security dogs, or rescue/foster homes. Kennels that ONLY board and train hunting dogs have historically been exempt and this section was not revised. If you thought HSUS only wanted to regulate "puppy mills" think again.

Dog dealers would follow standards in the NC Animal Welfare Act which are based on Federal regulations.  In general, all animals in a facility are subject to the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act, regardless of ownership. All areas of a facility are subject to review or inspection during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday). A separate five-foot perimeter fence is required if any animals have access to an outdoor enclosure, including unsupervised exercise areas.

Interior building surfaces of indoor facilities with which animals come in contact must be constructed and maintained so that they are impervious to moisture, and can be readily sanitized. Outdoor facilities, primary enclosures and walkways with which an animal comes in contact must be constructed of sealed concrete or other surfaces impervious to moisture.  Gravel may be used if maintained at a minimum depth of six inches and kept in a sanitary manner.

The Department of Public Safety will have the power to oversee the NC Animal Welfare Act, adopt animal welfare rules, establish standards for dog dealers, animal shelters, boarding kennels, and pet shops.  Standards may also be written regulating the transport to and from licensed premises.  Animals in the possession of an unlicensed dealer are subject to immediate seizure and impoundment.

The Law Enforcement Division of the Department of Public Safety includes North Carolina Emergency Management, Alcohol Law Enforcement, State Highway Patrol, and National Guard.  Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) is the lead agency for enforcement of alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, and tobacco laws. ALE agents have broad authority as peace officers to investigate, arrest, and take enforcement action for any criminal offense. The State Highway Patrol not only patrols our state’s 78,000 miles of roads they administer the NC Missing Persons Center.

It is an outrage to turn any of the Law Enforcement Division’s essential staff into puppy police to satisfy an agenda.

The Director of the Animal Welfare Section if included under the Law Enforcement Division will be appointed.  Be very afraid - considering that HSUS has the Governor’s ear, it is reasonable to assume that HSUS will influence this selection.

HSUS/ASPCA are both busy pushing the need for “puppy mill” regulation falsely claiming our state is a haven for puppy mills.  ASPCA sent out an email blast still urging calls in support of HB 930 so that “large scale commercial breeders” would be required to treat their dogs humanely.  ASPCA asked their readers to contact Governor McCrory and thank him for being a steadfast champion of this bill.

There is no time to waste. This disruptive transfer of animal welfare authority must be stopped.  Act now to protect your right to own and breed dogs.

Contact your legislator now and oppose the Governor’s plan.
House: http://tinyurl.com/2b56d
Senate: http://tinyurl.com/kfzu4et

Governor McCrory needs to hear that not everyone supports his agenda. Call his office (919) 814-2000
Please cross post