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Sometime this week the NC Senate is set to vote on SB 460, a bill to regulate large scale dog breeding operations. Many such operations, commonly referred to as "Puppy Mills", have been the focus of scrutiny of animal rights groups for years. The NC bill closely resembles the one passed by the VA Senate in 2008.
Puppy Mills are not simple backyard breeding operations or are they made up of show dogs with champion pedigrees. They are mass production facilities in which puppies are the products manufactured. The dogs are often housed in filthy conditions with little to no veterinary care or human contact. The dogs and puppies are not beloved pets and are treated as a cash crop. They are often housed in wire crates stacked on top of eachother which allows urine and feces to fall upon those in the lower levels. It is often alleged in cruelty cases that the dogs are kept in the crates except when brought out for breeding purposes. Puppies are then sold to the public through pet stores and classified ads. Many of these operations have been the focus of animal cruelty investigations in recent years, including the largest ever on record where over 1000 dogs were seized from a Carroll County, VA man in 2007. The dogs were housed and rehabilitated by several animal welfare agencies including the Norfolk SPCA.
Shortly after this incident, Virginians led the way in regulating large scale breeding operations. The Virginia Law requires breeders to acquire a business license and keep accurate records of care provided. Business owners are limited to no more than 30 breeding females and must submit to inspections by Animal Control Officers. The law also requires dogs be housed in cages with solid floors and that all dogs be provided regualr exercise. A similar bill has migrated south into NC and should receive a vote within the next week.
The Humane Society of the United States reports that the costs for large rehabilitation operations can exceed $100,000, a number that could bankrupt most county budgets. HSUS reports that it was instrumental in providing the needed funds to house and rehabilitate 300 dogs seized a in Wayne County, NC raid. Supporters of SB460 state that the regulations will help keep taxpayers from shouldering the financial burdens caused by prosecuting abusive puppy mill owners. The Bill states that the NC Dept. of Agriculture would be responsible for estabilshing the standards of care that must be provided in commercial breeding facilities. Opponents state this bill does not allow for input from reputable breeders and other experts.
Unregulated puppy breeding is definitely an ongoing problem. Since the onset of 2009 the Norfolk SPCA has housed animals from Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia puppy mills. Will these new laws alleviate this need? Only time will tell.
Comments
I see you have a picture of yourself with a horse...do you know of any stables that have more than 30 intact mares? Bet you do..are they all in "horrific " condtion? bet not
We already have laws that deal with animal abuse and neglect. Just because a kennel has 15 intact females does not make them a "puppy mill". If HSUS or PETA which is in Norfolk had their way, you (the author of this blog not article) would not be standing next to that horse in your picture.
YES enforce laws that on the books - do not create more beaurcratic mess!
AMEN - get Peta the ANIMAL KILLERS out of your state and take away their tax exempt status!
Most of these "puppy mill" raids are thefts from legitimate businesses.
I thought journalism/news reporting was about research and presenting facts, not just swallowing and regurgitating whatever is cool for the day.
the fact is commercial/professional kennels are not "puppy mills" anymore than people whose cows produce milk are "milk millers" one must take proper care of their animals in order to succeed and profit. People who do not care for their animals and are unlicensed and uninspected etc. wont succed and there are rules and laws already in place to deal with them. Learn how to apply those laws! Stop being a sheep and learn how to report unbiased fact filled info.
I dont know any professional commercial kennel that allows feces and urine to fall onto dogs in cages below, nor tortures little doggies and forces them to produce puppies, and provides no vet care or human contact..it just doesnt exist in a professional commercial kennel
So far every video that I've seen of stacked cages shows trays in the bottom of each cage to catch feces and urine.
I didnt read anything in this article about reputable breeders. Those of you who are upset should reread it. I read the words " it is often alleged" I see no bias there only truth. These charges are often alleged, sometimes proven in court. I see only good things from these laws. All the reputable kennels I know keep accurate records anyway and would welcome animal control officers at any time. Of course that is because they have nothing to hide.
All these comments because of a set of initials in the article. So the picture came from HSUS, so they are quoted as saying they gave money to help rehab puppies, so what? I fail to see any political agenda issue here.Does it say call your senator? No. Does the author say please help this to pass? No. I see a report of an upcoming vote and a definition of what the bill is designed to regulate. Then Comments spouting hatred to the messenger.Legitimate business owners know regulations are par for the course.
I see from certain comments above, that some are trying to resist change....puppy mills have had their day; breeding puppies for profit is just not acceptable anymore.
As more people become aware of the problems, they hopefully will be stopped.
For those interested please follow #banpuppyfarming on twitter
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