So without knowing or caring about the context, others gleefully began spreading the “major mistake” all over the internet.  Making two points in one article seems to have been too much for them to digest but our readers got it:

 

1.) tail docking bills (pending in other states) have disastrous consequences to all breeders.

2.) some among us are rolling over to Animal Rights by showing undocked or uncropped dogs in defiance of the breed standards.

 

If there is anything good about being wrong, it is in learning how many people are paying attention and how well informed our subscribers are.

 

That does not excuse my mistake which should be a lesson to all - triple check information before reacting.  The NY State website: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A07218&sh=t  was one of two sources.  We always verify through at least three credible sources and failure to do so was Mistake # 2.  The date of this bill appears to be current but I should have known better. TheDogPress also displays the current date at the top of each “page” but each article is dated so our readers are not confused.

 

My first source should have been our Legislative Editor, Linda Witouski.  That was my biggest mistake because the Monthly National Legislation Report is on top of all proposed, pending, and passed bills.

 

Thankfully, I was wrong about the status of New York 7218 but 100% right about it being a powerful tool for “animal rights” activists.  The veterinary association (AVMA) may keep ear cropping out of such bills even though it is a much more involved surgery with a months-long recuperative period instead of seconds as in tail docking.  The point is that we reach a lot of readers who would otherwise not know about animal “rights” legislation such as “cropping or docking” bills, especially if they don’t own a cropped or docked breed. 

Savvy dog people won’t deny it is “in your face” when AR groups push for radical legislation in AKC’s two “home” states.  Nor can we deny that the Anti-Animal Radicals are winning all across the country.  It is like trying to put out a forest fire with a squirt gun!

Do we give up because HSUS has well organized workers, well paid lobbyists, TV time, lawyers and politicians, all funded by a war chest not that much bigger than AKC’s?  I don't think so.  We look to AKC for leadership, financial, and legal support   We are not ready to roll over just yet.  Some of us are terrier folk who love a good fight!