Hi Cindy- thanks for taking the time to read the proposal. AAS may have a different answer, but the reason for licenseing breeding rather than banning breeding altogether (which I would LOVE to do) is simply that it can't be done. It totally infringes on "human rights", unfortunately, and is also very difficult to enforce. I don't know if you read the long thread of messages in response to the pit bull killing the child or not. AAS has deleted them, and rightly so- in that thread I suggested that in order to end animal abuse humans should stop owning animals, and in order to reach that point, we must cease all breeding. I had more than a few people outraged by that, and this is a response from people who are allegedly "animal lovers". Imagine what the average irresponsible pet owner's reaction would be to a complete moratorium on breeeding, and mandatory spay/neuter? Even if such a law were passed, it would only force already elusive breeders, resellers, and puppy mills further underground.
Short answer, much as I'd love to see it, I don't think it will ever happen in my lifetime. People are selfish and will always want "pets". There will always be a market, therefore always money to be made by breeding. I don't think we'll ever be able to stop it. But I do think we can at least regulate it, make it expensive for people to breeed (i.e the casual breeding license that must by law be purchased in order to breed will cost more than the cost of spaying the dog), and demand microchipping of all pups (also expensive) so they can be traced and the breeder held responsible for them for the rest of their lives.
It's not perfect, but I think it may be workable. Now, if Jen ran the world....well, back to that pit bull thread again and all those upset dog owners.
This is a very good question Cindy, and I have to say it's the first one that came to my mind when I first read the proposal. But I've thought it through, and I think it makes sense. But you're right, I don't like the sound of the term "casual breeding". Maybe we should call it something else.
What are your thoughts AAS?
Thank you again Cindy, for your thoughtful and well posed question.