Cairn Terrier, Toto Breed Won’t Become Kansas’ State Dog

Toto, do you have a feeling you’re not in a Kansas legislative spat anymore? That’s, um, because you’re not.

Much like the Wicked Witch of the West, a proposal to make the famed “Wizard of Oz” dog breed the state dog of Kansas melted away this week. Democratic state Rep. Ed Trimmer had introduced a bill to make Toto’s breed, the Cairn Terrier, an official state symbol, but the bill died in a House committee on Monday.

Trimmer said he’ll likely reintroduce the bill next year.

“We had great responses from kids,” Trimmer told The Wichita Eagle. “And, I think this will give me a chance to go into the classrooms and visit with them, let them know this is part of the learning process and sometimes when you ask the first time, and the answer is no, you have to learn how to ask again. If it is something you want, you have to be persistent.”

The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, strongly opposed the legislation on the grounds that it would encourage puppy mills in Kansas “to churn out as many puppies as possible to meet the new demand for a ‘Toto.’ ”

Brenda Moore, the obedience chairwoman with the South Central Kansas Kennel Club who first suggested the state dog idea to Trimmer, said Kansas’ puppy mill operators have been facing tougher penalties in recent years.

“We want people to know that dog breeders are responsible people and that if we do get a state dog, we will not capitalize on it,” Moore said. “I don’t think Kansas should be labeled a puppy mill state anymore. … There are a lot of dog lovers out there who would like to see Kansas have a state dog.”

What do you feel about this? Would the ‘Toto Breed’ becoming the Kansas State Dog increase puppy mill production?

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Jennifer Kemmer
Jennifer Kemmer
12 years ago

Who cares what PETA says? If it were up to them nobody would have a pet and all shelter pets would be euthenized. I think the idea of making Cairns the state dog of kansas is a great idea.

Giana
Giana
12 years ago

-_-; Screw PETA. Seriously? I think making Cairn terriers is a great idea. I mean people from other states already associate Kansas with Toto and the yellow brick road. We would just be making it recognized by the state of Kansas. Besides, I don’t think many-if any- other states have “state dogs”. Making any other breed the official state breed would just be stupid. Kansas and Toto go together like peanutbutter and jelly! RECOGNIZE TOTO! <3

franko
franko
12 years ago

Breeders are “responsible people?” They breed dogs to make money – where’s the responsibility in that? Otherwise, yes, make the Cairn the state dog. Why not?

Trixie
Trixie
11 years ago

 What’s wrong with having a state dog? Puppy millers will pump out whatever breed is popular at a certain time–you’re not going to increase puppy millers’ cruelty, just perhaps cruelty to Cairn Terriers. I don’t want to promote any cruelty but this probably won’t increase cruelty to dogs as a whole.

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