She the government impose a Sin Tax onto the sale of purebred dogs?

Question

for those of your who dont know what a sin tax is here is a link to wikipedia--> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin_tax

The sale of dogs that are purebred probably isnt regulated enough to actually enforce the sin tax (lots of independant sellers), but the govt may be able to pressure groups that do the paper work for verifying a dog as being purebred.
Reason for the sin tax would be to help pay for animal shelters that we as citizens of the city pay for to keep strays off our streets and are filling up because people prefer to purchase a $500 or even $1000 dog rather the a pay a $50 donation to an animal shelter. I think it might help get animals out of the shelters a little and help reduce the cost to the city of maintaining the shelters.
BTW maintaining a shelter isnt cheap, they must feed the dogs, vaccinate the dogs, euthanize the dogs, bathe the dogs, provide staff to work all days of the year to care and dispose of the animals, pay for the vehicle to catch the dogs with.

good answers up until the two after the fourth.

Answer 1

I would definately support this.

Think about it... it's is just like a "luxury tax" or a "gas guzzler" tax. If you can afford however much for a purebred from a breeder, then you are taking money directly out of my pocket as a tax payer as another unwanted or stray animal sits in a shelter or rescue. This kind financial incentive would have little impact on the buyers, as if they still wanted an X-and-such breed they could still buy one, breed it, show it, etc. And I've never been able to understand how folks can afford to pay so much for one kind of pet over another--I mean there is nothing out there to prove that a purebred pet provide any more enjoyment than a mixed breed (unless status is important to you, in which case you are already probably paying the aforementioned luxury and guzzler taxes)--but maybe that is just me...

The trick and possible expense would be in how much does it cost to enforce and/or collect this tax?

Of course, rescued pets of all breeds should be exempt from this tax.

I never thought I would say this, but that is a tax I would actually vote in favor of.

Answer 2

I agree that paying hundreds of dollards on a dog is rediculus.
However... not everyone is able or should get a dog from the pound.
We had considered it before we found our pup but the thought didn't last long. You see, we have young children and bringing in a "used" dog who's history we do not know could producer bad results.
It wouldn't be fare to our children to bring home a dog that has issues with kids that the pound staff wouldn't have known of just as it wouldn't be fare to the dog to bring him into a home with children if he's previously had bad encounters with them.
I'm glad that there is a shelter for homeless animals but there really is no way of knowing the full history of the animals they shelter. The safety of my children comes first.
That said, we where able to find a dog... a mutt... for cheap from a lady whos dog got "jumped" in the dog park. Her puppies where "accidents", mighty cute ones too!!!
I don't think breeders should be taxed extra.
I think buyers should be smart enough to know that 1000$ is too much for any animal. And if that buyer is stupid enough to pay that 1000$ on top of paying his taxes that go towards the shelter then why not let him???

Answer 3

I donate money to my local shelter and also help with the rescue of dogs however you should look at the bigger picture. The dogs at the shelters that are purebred are often taken away by private breed rescues that rescue their breed only. This happens quite often which leaves a lot of mixed breeds in the shelters. Maybe we should impose this tax on "greeders" that breed a certain number of litters per year or on individuals who sell so called "designer dogs". Those of us who love our chosen breed and only breed 1-2 litters per year have a hard enough time placing our dogs. And since we take our dogs back if people want to give them up, you'll never see one of my or any other good breeds dogs in that pound. There are a lot of bad breeders out there but by hurting them, you are also hurting the good breeders as well.

Edit: The reason we charge so much for our puppies is because of how much it costs just to get those puppies. When you show dogs, you don't make money. It's something that you do because you love dogs and want to improve them. If your breeding and not showing you shouldn't be. The reason for a show is to prove your breeding stock and help choose your next sire or dam.

Answer 4

Yeah, we need our fascist government to babysit us even more!

How about a "sin tax" on the people who are too stupid or lazy to manage their animals and allow so many mutts to be bred???

Answer 5

Why don't we just have the government own all the dogs and dole them out one by one.
What a stupid idea,,, as if there isn't enough government intrusion as it is.
I suppose you also want gun control so that you can't kill, and abortion rights so that you can kill.

Answer 6

NO!