SENATE RESOLUTION 60

(By Senators Caputo, Woelfel, and Plymale)

[Introduced February 29, 2024]

Recognizing May 1, 2024, as Purebred Dog Day in West Virginia.

Whereas, Dedicated individuals in West Virginia breed dogs to develop unique, predictable characteristics that enable dogs to excel in a wide range of beneficial areas; and

Whereas, Purebred dogs are living legacies of the cultures that created them, and historically, these dogs worked alongside their people and provided them companionship; and

Whereas, The service of these breeds continues as they work alongside humans and provide inestimable companionship as guide dogs, service dogs, conservation dogs, livestock guardians, search and rescue dogs, earth dogs, police dogs, canine soldiers serving by the sides of our military men and women, and guardians of family, home, and hearth; and

Whereas, Purebred dogs have been of enormous help to medical science, serving as models for many heritable human diseases, playing a role in humanity's understanding of the human and canine genomes, and benefitting pharmaceutical research and development; and

Whereas, Purebred dogs are working dogs, serving as avalanche dogs, trackers and trailers, herders, controllers of vermin, water rescuers, carting and sled dogs, retrievers, protectors, hunters, and bird dogs; and

Whereas, All dogs should be valued whatever their ancestry, but the purpose-bred dog and the predictability of its breed should be cherished and preserved; and

Whereas, Each breed is incredibly etched in the history of the culture that created it, just as surely as that culture's music, art, and language, making it abundantly fitting that we recognize purebred dogs; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes May 1, 2024, as Purebred Dog Day in West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby acknowledges the benefits and contributions of purebred dogs; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Greater Clarksburg WV Kennel Club, Inc., Beckley West Virginia Kennel Club, Inc., Blennerhassett Kennel Club, Inc, Huntington Kennel Club, Inc., Magic Valley Kennel Club, Inc., and Mountaineer Kennel Club. Inc.