"Terrible Ten"
K9 PAC is dedicated to protecting America's canines through a variety of activities including endorsement of humane candidates, lobbying efforts, proposing legislation, and encouraging community education and grassroots efforts. In order to maximize our effectiveness we have established the "terrible ten" - issues that we believe are particularly threatening to dog welfare and therefore require top priority status.
1. Breed Bans
K9 PAC opposes all breed bans. We believe that breed bans are an overly simplistic and poorly designed response to the issue of dog aggression. Breed bans are fundamentally flawed in that they are based on the false premise that aggression is inherent in specific breeds. To successfully address dog aggression, legislatures and city councils will need to focus on the common causes for this behavior: dogfighting, cruelty, neglect, abandonment, and lack of socialization.
Pitbulls and "pitbull type" dogs are the most common victims of breed bans. Despite their negative reputation, the reality is that pitbulls are often victims of horrendous abuse and torture and these breed bans serve to victimize them yet again. Breed bans also serve as one of the greatest challenges to pitbull rescue and rehabilitation efforts because they ensure that thousands of potential adoptive parents will not be available to provide good homes for these animals. As a result, many pitbulls are euthanized before ever experiencing a loving home life. Further, when breed bans are enacted, affected residents are forced to choose between losing their home or losing their dog, regardless of whether the dog has any history of or tendency toward violence. Many pitbulls who are devoted and cherished family members are forced into already overcrowded shelters, and become destined for euthanasia. Click here for our blog, "Breed Bans Work Against Pit Bull Rescue Operations"
2. Dogfighting
It goes without saying that K9 PAC is strongly opposed to dogfighting and in favor of strict criminal penalties for dogfighting. Dogfighting is barbaric, shameful, and contributes to the type of dog aggression that sparks breed bans. We are encouraged by the recent support for anti-dog fighting legislation. There is more work to be done, however, in rehabilitation for the dogs rescued from fighting operations. Too often, former fighting dogs are immediately euthanized. At K9 PAC, we believe that former fighting dogs deserve an objective behavior analysis and that many of these dogs can be spared with the help of our friends at rescues and sanctuaries. K9 PAC supports legislation that creates felony penalties for dogfighting, possession of dogfighting paraphernalia, breeding dog for dogfighting purposes, attending a dogfight, and related activities. Once these laws are established, K9 PAC strongly encourages enforcement of the laws and the development of community education and awareness-building efforts.
3. Dog Fur Trade
Dogs are kept in horrific conditions overseas, particularly in China, and skinned (often alive) for their fur. This fur is used to supplement full fur products, or to create trimming on popular items like snow jackets, boots, and accessories. Dogs are less expensive to obtain than other popular fur-bearing animals, so they are used regularly to make less expensive items or to add to other fur items to decrease production costs. Few people are aware of the dog fur industry due to improper and fraudulent labeling of products. The existing laws do not require items under a certain price point to be labeled as containing real animal fur. Thus, many consumers unwittingly purchase fur-trimmed items that they believe to be fake, while in reality they are supporting an enormous dog fur trading business.
Fortunately, consumer-driven issues are easier to tackle than many other animal issues because consumer awareness and subsequent purchasing choices can make a significant and immediate impact. K9 PAC supports "fur labeling" laws that will require ALL items that contain animal fur, particularly dog fur, to be labeled regardless of the price of the item. We firmly believe that if people knew what they were buying, they would never purchase these items, thus terminating the dog fur trade. The only way to ensure that no dogs were killed in the making of your apparel and accessories is to avoid fur trimmed items entirely until the laws are in place that require proper labeling. You can help by spreading the word to friends and family.
4. Greyhound Racing
K9 PAC opposes greyhound racing for gambling or profit-making purposes. While greyhounds love to run for fun and exercise, the greyhound racing industry continually mistreated, abuses, discards, and euthanizes dogs when they have stopped producing winning results. In fact, many greyhound racing dogs spend their entire lives in kennels, only released on the race tracks, and many are also shot and killed upon discovery of veterinary issues or failure to perform. K9 PAC support legislation and efforts to prohibit greyhound racing and applaud other organizations for their work in this pursuit. If you are interested in this topic specifically, you may also be interested in learning more and getting involved with our friends at GREY2KUSA.
5. Homelessness, Euthanasia, and Pet Disaster Relief
This category is combined because there is a cause-effect relationship between these issues. The United States suffers from extremely high euthanasia rates in our shelters, which are a direct result from overpopulation and homeless pets. In addition, recent disasters like Hurricane Katrina, have highlighted the fact that when natural disasters occur there is a sudden surge of homeless pets that are pushed into already overcrowded shelters, sanctuaries, and rescues. Although the causes for pet homelessness are varied and can sometimes be difficult to address, homelessness due to natural disasters can be prevented through effective pet disaster relief and emergency preparedness efforts. Pets are part of our families and must be considered as such in plans for evacuation and post-disaster relief. Thousands of pets were lost during Katrina, either due to the hurricane's direct impact or for reasons related to being abandoned - starvation and dehydration - and many more became homeless. Evacuation and disaster relief planning that includes pets can help to avoid these losses in the future.
A Note on Euthanasia: Euthanasia can be the most humane alternative in cases of severe medical trauma or extreme emotional instability. Unfortunately, millions of physically and mentally healthy dogs are euthanized every year. While euthanasia may be necessary at the present time, K9 PAC works diligently to create a future environment where healthy dogs are no longer euthanized. In addition, methods of euthanasia are varied and K9 PAC only supports the most humane methods currently available. We seek to end the use of gas chambers and strongly oppose the use of the "heart stick" method when used without a sedative. In addition to supporting humane euthanasia legislation, we also seek to address the main contributing factors to exorbitant euthanasia rates: 1) overpopulation and underfunding, 2) behavior problems, 3) the social stigma attached to former fighting dogs, and 4) breed bans. We must all do are part to convince society that dogs are not disposable.
6. Hound Hunting
Hound Hunting involves the use of a pack of dogs (usually 40 or more) to chase specific animals – deer, bears, bobcats, and cougars – to exhaustion so hunters can easily shoot them while they are helpless to escape. Hound hunting is detrimental to the health and well-being of hunting dogs, who are frequently abused, neglected, and eventually killed or abandoned by hound hunters. Hounds are routinely killed or abandoned by hunters at the end of each hunting season, or if they become pregnant, are too old, exhibit signs of illness, or fail to perform. Through persistent and intentional abandonment of hunting dogs, hound hunters have managed to pass the cost and responsibility of caring for these dogs to local animal shelters, rescues, and caring residents. In addition, hunting hounds pose serious threats to the community as they run for up to 20 miles at a time unsupervised and often cross private properties where they threaten people, pets, and livestock. Hound hunting is routinely opposed by other hunters as well due to the poor treatment of dogs, threat to other hunters, violation of the principles of fair chase, and perception that the method is lazy and "unsporting". Although many states have made the practice of hound hunting illegal, there are still 17 states that permit bear hunting with dogs and 10 that permit hound hunting of deer. K9 PAC strives to prohibit this practice in these remaining states.
7. Law Enforcement Mistreatment & Shooting of Dogs
Each year there are reports of law enforcement officers mishandling, abusing, tazering, or shooting dogs. With more dog-related laws in the system, police officers are coming into contact with more canines in their line of work through investigations into violations of breed restrictions, dogfighting, dangerous dog laws, etc. And in some situations, dogs get impounded, injured, or killed during investigations and raids that are completely unrelated to the dog itself, where the dogs are simply doing their job of protecting the home. These incidents of violence towards dogs by law enforcement should not be tolerated and must be stopped. We strongly support mandatory education and training of law enforcement officers in dog behavior and humane handling, as well as exemptions from dangerous dog labels for those dogs who may show signs of aggression when it is appropriate and expected - for instance, while on private property and protecting the home and family from trespassers (law enforcement or otherwise). Respect and understanding of our canine family members should be encouraged in our communities, and as role models and respected members of the community, law enforcement officers must be exemplary in their treatment of animals.
8. Puppy Mills
K9 PAC is dedicated to proposing and supporting legislation that will eliminate puppy mills. Recent investigations have brought to light the truly deplorable conditions at many of our country’s largest dog breeding facilities and the immense power that these businesses have in our legal system due to their size and the immense profit that they earn by exploiting and mass-producing puppies. Until this industry can be eliminated altogether, we support legislation and ordinances that increase the regulation of large-scale dog breeders. At K9 PAC, we stand with the responsible breeders who share the belief that dogs are not commodities and continue to encourage the adoption of shelter animals.
Click here for our blog, "Puppy Mills and Overpopulation: The Critical Link"
9. Research & Veterinary Training Involving Dogs
K9 PAC opposes the use of live dogs in laboratory research, whether it be science-based or for consumer products. In the past, dogs were the primary animals used in scientific research. While the use of dogs has diminished in recent years, many dogs are still kept in unsatisfactory conditions and subjected to painful procedures and tests in corporate and government laboratories and colleges and universities throughout the country. While we support mutually-beneficial procedures performed on dogs at veterinary schools, we do oppose terminal procedures in which healthy dogs undergo unnecessary surgery for teaching purposes and are later euthanized. K9 PAC supports alternatives to terminal procedures, such as ethically-sourced willed body donor programs, which allow students to perform surgeries on dog cadavers, or matching programs that match a dog who needs a particular surgery/procedure with a school that needs to teach that procedure. If you are interested in humane and ethical veterinary practices, refer to the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA).
10. Tethering
K9 PAC supports legislation and ordinances that prohibit cruel tethering practices. Dogs that are continuously tethered outdoors have a significantly higher chance of becoming aggressive, territorial, and/or fearful, increasing the probability that the dog will bite other animals or people. Whenever a dog is chained, it should only be for a short period of time - preferably minutes, not hours. Heavy chains and prong or pinch collars should never be used when tethering and dogs must be provided shelter and clean food and water when tethered for an extended period of time. Dogs should never be tethered outside during periods of extreme weather. In addition, the rope or chain used for tethering should be light in weight and long enough to provide reasonable freedom of motion. If you are interested in helping to "unchain" dogs, check out our friends at Fences For Fido.
Additional K9 PAC Position Statements
If you have a question on one of our positions, or are interested in where we stand on an issue that is not currently listed, please feel free to contact us via email at action@k9pac.org.
Adopting Versus Purchasing
K9 PAC welcomes all dog-lovers no matter if they purchased a purebred dog for $5,000 or adopted a mutt for $30. With the enormous amount of dogs in animal shelters, we certainly encourage dog adoption and celebrate the strength and character of the American Shelter Dog. But we also see value in preserving purebred lines. At K9 PAC, we believe that every dog has worth. Click here for our blog, "Shelters vs. Breeders - Divisive Tactics Threaten the Animal Community"
Cruelty
K9 PAC does not tolerate cruelty to dogs or other animals and supports legislation and ordinances designed to crack down on all forms of animal cruelty. Each of our "terrible ten" issues represent various forms of cruelty related to dogs. We believe in strict penalties for those who harm animals, encourage strong enforcement of animal protection laws, and support preventative programs such as community outreach and education efforts.
Debarking & Devocalization
Debarking or devocalization is a surgical procedure that removes or significantly lessens a dog's ability to bark. Devocalization procedures are also commonly used in puppy mills and are occassionally done through gruesome and horrific means without surgery or anesthetics. K9 PAC stands in strong opposition to Debarking surgery and any elective surgical procedure that limits or revokes a dog's ability to behave naturally, especially those that have no benefit to the health or well-being of the animal. Barking is a critical part of how dogs communicate with one another and with the world around them. There are many methods of dog training that aim at correcting excessive barking, and consulting with a dog trainer or dog behaviorist is the best approach. Removing a dogs ability to vocalize to appease ones neighbors or self is an extreme, selfish, and entirely irresponsible solution.
Ear Cropping and Tail Docking
At K9 PAC, we are opposed to ear cropping and tail docking for aesthetic purposes. There are rare circumstances in which working dogs may require ear cropping and/or tail docking for safety reasons. In these limited circumstances, the altering procedure must be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Unfortunately, the vast majority of cropping and docking is done for purely cosmetic reasons. K9 PAC believes that dogs should only be altered when the dog, rather than the owner, benefits from the procedure. K9 PAC actively supports efforts to change existing breed standards to do away with all unnecessary cropping and docking practices. We welcome dog breeders and hope that they will join us in this pursuit.
Mix Breed Versus Purebred
At K9 PAC, we love all dogs no matter if they are muts or purebreds. We welcome mix breed dog owners, purebred owners, and purebred breeders. We celebrate the diversity of mix breeds and the preservation of purebreds. We believe that dog owners must all work together to accomplish meaningful change.
Click here for our blog, "Shelters vs. Breeders - Divisive Tactics Threaten the Animal Community"
Spay / Neuter Programs
K9 PAC supports spay and neuter programs and believes that they help to lessen the reliance on euthanasia for population control. We believe that all dogs adopted from animal shelters and sanctuaries should be spayed or neutered. At the same time, we also support responsible dog breeders who prefer to keep their dogs intact. K9 PAC is an organization that welcomes all dog-lovers.