Statewide dog tag cap raised to $35-50 for intact animals. A much lower fee will be required for sterilized dogs, even when such a differential loses revenue. Discounted kennel licenses for 10 or more dogs will require the owner to waive his privacy rights. Unannounced, warrantless "inspections" by animal control officers and volunteer "humane investigators" will be permitted; no probable cause of neglect or cruelty will be required. Note: there is no established standard for private facility inspections.
Small hobby breeders will be classified as "pet dealers," licensed and subject to commercial rules, including unannounced inspections.
Mandatory spay-neuter for most (all?) pets.
Mandatory microchipping for most (all?) canines.
Statewide tethering restrictions.
"Potentially dangerous" dogs.
Ban on dog owner tail docking and dew claw removal of new bornes.
Revised definition of "running at large" focused on hunting dogs.
Humane education SOL requirement in K-12 curriculum.
More volunteer humane investigators.
Animal protective orders and required cruelty cross reporting.
Tax credits for animal adoption and pet spay-neuter.
The above list isn't complete, as it only represents those bills currently being considered. Intrusive, no warrant inspections by ill-trained or untrained personnel is a new HSUS animal rightist initiative. Virginia's 2007 "Gotcha" rabies based licensing and identification system ensures that all of these measures can be strictly enforced, along with local pet limit ordinances.
Past failures of organized Old Dominion dog owners to fully understand these threats and to cooperate during General Assembly sessions, if repeated, virtually guarantee this agenda's adoption. VHDOA again stands ready to work with the officers and members of the clubs listed at
http://vhdoa.uplandbirddog.com/vfdcb.html and others to protect our sport and animals.