Washington state limits breeders to 50 dogs

   AP/Jeff Roberson

Finding that dogs are neither "a commercial crop nor a commodity" to be "indiscriminately or irresponsibly mass produced", Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire signed a bill limiting dog breeders to a maximum of 50 dogs under the age of 6 months.  The law is also intended to provide some basic needs such as: sanitary living conditions, proper veterinary care, adequate shelter, and daily exercise.  Hence, any breeder with more than 10 dogs that are not neutered or spayed must provide:

• enough space for each dog to lie down, turn around, stand and sit
• one hour of daily exercise if the dog is older than 4 months
• clean housing facilities, equipped with fire suppression devices, that allow each dog to remain dry, clean, safe from extremes of temperature
• adequate supply of food and water, the latter at all times
• adequate and timely veterinary care

In addition, the facilities must be cleaned at least daily, and the law prohibits the use treadmill devices to exercise dogs unless ordered by a veterinarian.  Breeders must also separate dogs with different temperaments.

Violations are considered misdemeanors.  The law excludes breeders previously licensed by the USDA. and will come into effect January 1, 2010.

Initially, animal activists had lobbied for a maximum of 25 dogs.  However, the Washington State Legislature was apparently swayed by the fact that other states, which had recently enacted similar laws, had placed a 50-dog limit.

Although a step in the right direction, we should remember that each bitch can have a litter of 3-5 pups.  Hence, assuming 9 bitches per stud, a breeder may have as many as 285 dogs (i.e., 45 bitches + 5 studs + 225 puppies). 

Remember also that, according to the Humane Society of the United States, every year we euthanize (i.e., kill) some 3-4 million dogs and cats!  Adopting from a shelter should be considered a viable option before buying a pet from a breeder.  If you do buy from a breeder, do yourself and your pet a favor and please neuter or spay your pet as soon as possible.