Legislation around breeding - Please read especially if you're in PA

[jadecomputergal]

I made the mistake earlier of getting caught up in a notice about some legislation without knowing what I was complaining about. I live in the puppy mill area of the country, and people here have been fighting disreputable breeders for years. I read a very brief synopsis of HB 2525, looked into it, and fired off a note to our wonderful representative, Steve Barrar, asking him why he wasn't co-sponsoring it. He very quickly sent back a kind note saying that he wanted the puppy mills out of business too, but this is a complex, 92 page bill that a lot of reputable breeders have said will put them out of business. He was also kind enough to send me what I think was a full copy of the bill. I've only skimmed it at this point, but here is my note to him about the first thing that caught my attention:

Steve,

I've skimmed this (I read pretty fast), but haven't read it thoroughly yet. I haven't yet seen anything objectionable, but the statement, "All dogs in commercial kennels must be euthanized by a veterinarian," is semantically odd. I understand the intent, but as this is written now, this bill will make it a crime not to euthanize any dog that is born in or kept in a kennel. I can see how that would put breeders out of business

I think this would be better reworded to something like, "When euthanization is required, the procedure must be performed by a veterinarian.

Would you mind sending me some of the specific complaints (without names of course) so I can better understand which areas to focus on?

Thanks!
Gina


For any of you who are in PA, please read the full bill and send comments to your representative. We all love our pets, and it's easy to get caught up in the, "Stop the abuse," thing because we want the real abuse stopped. However, I'm now embarrassed by the fact that I supported euthanizing any dog that is born or kept in a kennel simply because I hadn't taken the time to read the bill and read only an announcement of success that there finally was a bill. That's completely not like me, but I've seen so much of this that I get a bit emotional over it and sometimes jump the gun.

Best to all,
Jade/Gina

[cataholic]

I think it reads that euthanasia must be done by a vet so that they cannot kill any unwanted dogs themselves. To make sure it is done humanely. I wish they would make these types of laws in every state.

[jadecomputergal]

Originally Posted by cataholic

I think it reads that euthanasia must be done by a vet so that they cannot kill any unwanted dogs themselves. To make sure it is done humanely. I wish they would make these types of laws in every state.

I have no doubt that's the intent of the section. The problem is that's not what it says.

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by jadecomputergal

I made the mistake earlier of getting caught up in a notice about some legislation without knowing what I was complaining about. I live in the puppy mill area of the country, and people here have been fighting disreputable breeders for years. I read a very brief synopsis of HB 2525, looked into it, and fired off a note to our wonderful representative, Steve Barrar, asking him why he wasn't co-sponsoring it. He very quickly sent back a kind note saying that he wanted the puppy mills out of business too, but this is a complex, 92 page bill that a lot of reputable breeders have said will put them out of business. He was also kind enough to send me what I think was a full copy of the bill. I've only skimmed it at this point, but here is my note to him about the first thing that caught my attention:

Steve,

I've skimmed this (I read pretty fast), but haven't read it thoroughly yet. I haven't yet seen anything objectionable, but the statement, "All dogs in commercial kennels must be euthanized by a veterinarian," is semantically odd. I understand the intent, but as this is written now, this bill will make it a crime not to euthanize any dog that is born in or kept in a kennel. I can see how that would put breeders out of business

I think this would be better reworded to something like, "When euthanization is required, the procedure must be performed by a veterinarian.

Would you mind sending me some of the specific complaints (without names of course) so I can better understand which areas to focus on?

Thanks!
Gina


For any of you who are in PA, please read the full bill and send comments to your representative. We all love our pets, and it's easy to get caught up in the, "Stop the abuse," thing because we want the real abuse stopped. However, I'm now embarrassed by the fact that I supported euthanizing any dog that is born or kept in a kennel simply because I hadn't taken the time to read the bill and read only an announcement of success that there finally was a bill. That's completely not like me, but I've seen so much of this that I get a bit emotional over it and sometimes jump the gun.

Best to all,
Jade/Gina

it is important that this is passed quickly...and not be allowed to continue any longer... get the wording correct and dont use the excuse to put this off...pass this law now
dogs are tortured daily in these puppy mills...
it reminds me of slavery and even the holocaust

[jadecomputergal]

but I'm also posting this in this thread in case anyone is monitoring.

HB 2525 has stalled in the House because of a lot of ridiculous amendments. PLEASE contact your representative if they aren't already a cosponsor. I'm pasting below the note I sent to my representative (Steve Barrar, who has already said he's going to vote for the bill).

Steve,

Thanks so much for this. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support
on this, and I also can't tell you how angry I am right now. I just sent a
note to the Governor's office, which probably wasn't necessary since he
already supports the bill. I am infuriated by the article in the Inquirer
today.

Art Hershey is a waste of oxygen other people could be breathing. I simply
cannot believe he added that asinine amendment about keeping dogs in a
dishwasher. There is NOTHING funny about this situation and I can't imagine
that introducing sarcastic amendments is going to endear him to most of his
constituents. I personally believe that the dishwasher is not an appropriate
place to keep a dog. I would like to see included in that amendment the
refrigerator, oven, washer, dryer, the area under the sink in the kitchen,
the bathroom vanity, the bathtub, shower, any type of closet, the attic, the
microwave, kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, the pedestal drawers of a
waterbed, any sort of other drawer in the house, in the fireplace, on the
roof, anywhere in a car/truck/SUV, inside your entertainment center, in a
fish tank, on a bookshelf, in a toolbox, in a laundry hamper, in the china
cabinet, on a windowsill, or in any kitchen appliance that is big enough to
hold them. Although that won't apply to some animal owners, my dogs would
fit in my electric skillet, but I've chosen not to keep them there. If all
this could be put into a single amendment, it would get it all out of the
way at once. I doubt there would even be any opposition from current kennel
owners since most of these things, including dishwashers, aren't things
you'd typically find in a kennel. I'm completely on board with you accepting
Hershey's amendment about not keeping dogs in your dishwasher no matter how much in need of a bath they are.

This bill should not be a "distraction" in the House, as Johnna Pro put it.
It is, however, a distraction for me because I keep having to write e-mails
to moronic politicians (I don't count you among those) who seem to think it's
okay to keep a dog in a small cage for its entire life and many other more
horrible things that I just can't bear to talk about anymore. I understand
that they're "trying to pass a budget for 12.5 million Pennsylvanians," but
I happen to be one of those 12.5 million. I pay taxes here, and I want
something done about this. I just don't know what more I can do about it.

I do not have the least bit of sympathy for breeders who "will have to redo
their kennels." Had they done it right to begin with, they'd have nothing to
whine about now. I also completely discount this argument about interfering
with peoples' "livelihood." People can't just do whatever they choose to do
in whatever way they choose to do it to make a living, and despite the harm
it causes. If that were the case, drug dealers could never be convicted.

Again, thanks so much for your support on this.

[Ladymom]

I think you misread the bill. It protects the dogs from the inhumane ways they are now killed at puppy mills. This is the exact wording:

17. Notwithstanding any law, a dog may not be euthanized except by a veterinarian.

This bill does much to improve the living conditions of the dogs in puppy mills. It doubles the cage size, requires temperature control and moisture (rain and snow) proof enclosures, no more than two cages stacked on top of one another, access to outdoor exercise areas, etc. It also requires that each dog be examined yearly by a vet and with each pregnancy.

This bill will not put any reputable breeders out of business. It's aimed at putting puppy mills out of business. Of course there is a lot of lobbying to block its passage because it's a huge industry in your state.

If anyone wants to read the bill, here the link. The first 34 pages are just definitions so you can skip them.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/...r=2525&pn=4068

[jadecomputergal]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I think you misread the bill. It protects the dogs from the inhumane ways they are now killed at puppy mills. This is the exact wording:

17. Notwithstanding any law, a dog may not be euthanized except by a veterinarian.

This bill does much to improve the living conditions of the dogs in puppy mills. It doubles the cage size, requires temperature control and moisture (rain and snow) proof enclosures, no more than two cages stacked on top of one another, access to outdoor exercise areas, etc. It also requires that each dog be examined yearly by a vet and with each pregnancy.

This bill will not put any reputable breeders out of business. It's aimed at putting puppy mills out of business. Of course there is a lot of lobbying to block its passage because it's a huge industry in your state.

If anyone wants to read the bill, here the link. The first 34 pages are just definitions so you can skip them.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/...r=2525&pn=4068

I've read all 92+ pages of it.

[Marina]

I hope this isnt tooo stupid of a question... but how would this be enforced??
Who will actually go to the puppy mills to make sure there are no more than 2 cages stacked on top of each other... and if there are really poeple who do this on a daily basis...why are they not shutting down mills every day for other inhumane treatment and abuse.

I rarely hear of a mill being shut down but im sure that every one is breaking some laws... if the pet stores are selling sick dogs then all the dogs in the mills are sick as well and I doubt they are receiving veterinary care and meds.

I guess what im trying to ask is how would the passage of this bill shut down any mills?? They would just have to invest a little money into new cages and pay off their "vets" a little more at the end of every year...

I have not read the bill itself.. im just going with what ive read here so far so im sure im missing many more coditions.

[Ladymom]

Right now commercial kennels are regulated by federal law - the Animal Welfare Act which is enforced by the USDA. There aren't nearly enough inspectors to visit the kennels regularly which is why so many animals are living in such horrible conditions. Years can pass in between inspections.

This bill would become a state law if it is passed. Hopefully the condtions of the puppy mills can be better regulated at the state level. State dog wardens would be responsible for enforcing the law and conducting inspections. If a kennel is found violating any of the provisions, the dogs can be seized and/or they can lose their kennel license.

One of the things the law would require is that each dog have its date of birth and rabies vaccination records displayed on the front of the kennel. All dogs will have to be examined by a vet every year and each pregnant dog be seen by the vet. With this closer scrutiny, violations will be more obvious.

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

I think you misread the bill. It protects the dogs from the inhumane ways they are now killed at puppy mills. This is the exact wording:

17. Notwithstanding any law, a dog may not be euthanized except by a veterinarian.

This bill does much to improve the living conditions of the dogs in puppy mills. It doubles the cage size, requires temperature control and moisture (rain and snow) proof enclosures, no more than two cages stacked on top of one another, access to outdoor exercise areas, etc. It also requires that each dog be examined yearly by a vet and with each pregnancy.

This bill will not put any reputable breeders out of business. It's aimed at putting puppy mills out of business. Of course there is a lot of lobbying to block its passage because it's a huge industry in your state.

If anyone wants to read the bill, here the link. The first 34 pages are just definitions so you can skip them.

http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/...r=2525&pn=4068

who are the lobbyists? did all the puppy millers get together and hire lobbyists? i dont get it?

[jadecomputergal]

Originally Posted by Marina

I hope this isnt tooo stupid of a question... but how would this be enforced??
Who will actually go to the puppy mills to make sure there are no more than 2 cages stacked on top of each other... and if there are really poeple who do this on a daily basis...why are they not shutting down mills every day for other inhumane treatment and abuse.

I rarely hear of a mill being shut down but im sure that every one is breaking some laws... if the pet stores are selling sick dogs then all the dogs in the mills are sick as well and I doubt they are receiving veterinary care and meds.

I guess what im trying to ask is how would the passage of this bill shut down any mills?? They would just have to invest a little money into new cages and pay off their "vets" a little more at the end of every year...

I have not read the bill itself.. im just going with what ive read here so far so im sure im missing many more coditions.

They've added staff and made a commitment to inspect all the licensed kennels twice a year. There were 4,413 citations issued in 2007 and 305 kennel licenses terminated. There would have been more if the current PA dogs laws weren't so lax. For example, the current laws don't require that a dog ever be taken out of its cage in its entire life

[jadecomputergal]

Originally Posted by cesar49

who are the lobbyists? did all the puppy millers get together and hire lobbyists? i dont get it?

The kennel owners are innundating their Representatives with call, letters, and e-mails, and they're also being backed by the PA Professional Dog Breeders Association and the PA Veterinary Medical Association. (Considering that vets take an oath similar to the Hippocratic Oath, I can't quite figure that one out.)

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by cesar49

who are the lobbyists? did all the puppy millers get together and hire lobbyists? i dont get it?

The Hunte Corporation is one of the largest corporations and sells puppies to pet stores and Websites. In 2202, they sold over 85,000 puppies, and buy these dogs from various breeders. They are one of the corporations that lobby government officials, and I imagine there are small groups as well. This article has more information. Puppies for sale in pet stores

[Marina]

Originally Posted by jadecomputergal

The kennel owners are innundating their Representatives with call, letters, and e-mails, and they're also being backed by the PA Professional Dog Breeders Association and the PA Veterinary Medical Association. (Considering that vets take an oath similar to the Hippocratic Oath, I can't quite figure that one out.)

There are plenty of vets out there that can be easily bought... same with regular doctors.
Chewy came from a pet store (before I knew any better) and I took her to the vet the pet store recommended. They provided the intitial check up for free...Well he was the same vet that had been signing off on her pperwork every week while she was in the store. SOooooooo every week he signed off on her good health and everything but then COINCIDENTLY when i brought her in she has like 5 diferent conditions which need to be treated and will cost me close to $1000!!!!!

I learned my lesson really quick and now have a great vet.

[jadecomputergal]

Originally Posted by Marina

There are plenty of vets out there that can be easily bought... same with regular doctors.
Chewy came from a pet store (before I knew any better) and I took her to the vet the pet store recommended. They provided the intitial check up for free...Well he was the same vet that had been signing off on her pperwork every week while she was in the store. SOooooooo every week he signed off on her good health and everything but then COINCIDENTLY when i brought her in she has like 5 diferent conditions which need to be treated and will cost me close to $1000!!!!!

I learned my lesson really quick and now have a great vet.

I've never bought a dog in a pet store, but I thought they gave guarantees.

Did you report the vet?