The USSA is working closely with the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance and others to neutralize several bills sponsored by animal rights groups that are currently being debated – including a mandatory spay/neuter measure and a 'puppy mill' bill.


On June 2, Senate Bill 250, the mandatory spay/neuter legislation authored by state senator Dean Florez (D- Hanford/Bakersfield), passed the California Senate.  The bill would mandate the sterilization of all dogs with limited exceptions for those with an unaltered dog license from a city or county.  While the bill does currently include a weak exemption for hunting dogs, the COHA said in a press release that it simply does not provide the necessary protection for sportsmen, sporting dog kennels or field trialers.Meanwhile, two additional bills which pose significant troubles for California sporting dog owners are starting to make noise as well.


Assembly Bill 241, authored by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, is California’s version of the 'puppy mill' bill craze that is sweeping the nation, said the COHA. The measure arbitrarily limits the number of animals any person may own or possess at one time and is less than clear in its aim.  If passed, the COHA said the bill could severely damage or put out of existence many law abiding sporting dog kennels who are not primarily engaged in commercial dog breeding.  AB 241 passed the state’s assembly on May 21st and is currently pending before the Senate Public Safety Committee.


Assembly Bill 1122, authored by Assemblyman Ted W. Lieu, prohibits the sale of dogs in many common public places including parking lots, public right-of-ways, or “outdoor special sales.”  The bill could threaten sportsmen’s ability to purchase a high quality sporting dog at a field trial, performance event or sportsmen’s show/fundraiser.  AB 1122 passed the Assembly on May 28 and is currently awaiting referral to a Senate committee.