Earlier this month, legislators introduced a bill to amend the U.S. Animal Welfare Act that would provide more protection to dogs and puppies living at "high retail" breeding facilities.
House of Representative bill 835, also known as the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act, has gained support from 50 legislators so far.
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The bill's proponents believe it will close a "loophole" in the Animal Welfare Act that allows high volume breeders, including puppy mills, to sell puppies directly to the public online or in person without regulation.
If the bill passes, it will require breeders who sell more than 50 dogs per year to undergo inspection and provide 60 minutes of exercise to each dog per day (unless otherwise specified by a veterinarian).
Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees large-scale breeders who sell puppies to pet stores, but does not oversee breeders selling animals directly to the public, especially through the Internet.
The legislation most likely stems from organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States, which have revealed unsanitary and inhumane conditions at some facilities.
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Rep. Jim Gerlach of Pennsylvania, who sponsored the bill, told the Humane Society Legislative Fund that the new law would not negatively affect dog breeders with good standards of practice.
Instead, he said the bill is "aimed at protecting dogs and making individuals motivated by profit rather than the fair and humane treatment of dogs accountable,” according to the HSLF release.
But creating laws to limit dog breeding is not without controversy, especially in states such as Missouri, where locals are debating whether laws targeting puppy mills would affect other commercial breeders.
Still, much of puppy breeding relies on the demand from consumers. Organizations now offer advice for people looking to buy or adopt a canine friend from humane businesses.
Photo: Verdlanco/Wikimedia Commons
Tags: Animals, Crime, Law and Justice, Dogs, Pets
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