[News] Victory in PA—Landmark Puppy Mill Reform Bill Passes! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

I Love Bailey · 10-10-2008, 11:36 AM

A step in the right direction....

Victory in PA—Landmark Puppy Mill Reform Bill Passes!

Trying to shed its reputation as “The Puppy Mill Capital of the East,” the Pennsylvania Legislature on Wednesday night passed HB 2525, a bill that will improve the lives of tens of thousands of dogs living in Pennsylvania’s puppy mills.
Introduced in May, HB 2525 doubles the cage space required for dogs in Pennsylvania’s commercial breeding facilities, prohibits wire flooring and the stacking of cages, mandates exercise and twice-yearly veterinary exams for all dogs, and requires that animals be humanely euthanized by licensed veterinarians.
The ASPCA has been working with the Governor’s Office and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for over three years to increase enforcement and standards of care for dogs in the state’s commercial kennels. We lobbied for passage of HB 2525 by activating the Pennsylvania members of the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade and by spending much of the past several months in Harrisburg, the state capital, promoting the bill to legislators. Governor Ed Rendell signed HB 2525 into law the day after it was passed.

dogears · 10-10-2008, 02:58 PM

A step in the right direction.

PepinosBambinos · 10-10-2008, 04:38 PM

Thank you for posting this article! I've spent the last few days on the phone with the department of agriculture and other agencies trying to find out what can be done to improve conditions for animals that are bred for resale. Unfortunately, the Animal Welfare Act does not cover dogs or cats that are bred privately and sold to individuals - it only governs breeders that sell to pet shops and researchers. There are NO REGULATIONS that govern private breeders that sell to "pet homes" so breeders do not have to conform to the standards set by the US Department of Agriculture for commercial breeders. There are no licensing requirements and in my state (South Carolina) there are no limit laws unless it is enforced at the county or city level.

If you care about this issue, please take the time to write to your state representative asking them to introduce legislation that requires private breeders to conform to the same standards that are set for commercial breeders.

izzierj · 10-10-2008, 05:06 PM

That was emailed to me by the ASPCA today !! Good email !!!!

Harley_chik · 10-10-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PepinosBambinos

Thank you for posting this article! I've spent the last few days on the phone with the department of agriculture and other agencies trying to find out what can be done to improve conditions for animals that are bred for resale. Unfortunately, the Animal Welfare Act does not cover dogs or cats that are bred privately and sold to individuals - it only governs breeders that sell to pet shops and researchers. There are NO REGULATIONS that govern private breeders that sell to "pet homes" so breeders do not have to conform to the standards set by the US Department of Agriculture for commercial breeders. There are no licensing requirements and in my state (South Carolina) there are no limit laws unless it is enforced at the county or city level.

If you care about this issue, please take the time to write to your state representative asking them to introduce legislation that requires private breeders to conform to the same standards that are set for commercial breeders.

I think private breeders should be required to take proper care of their dogs, too. However what you seem to be descibing isn't the answer. Commercial breeders aren't allowed to keep their dog in their home. They must be in a separate building with concrete flooring and drainage. One thing I'm very adamant about, when buying from a breeder, is that the dogs are pets first. I would never buy from someone who kept their dogs in cages or a separate building. It doesn't matter what kind of flooring or how big it is. I'm fine with crating or using playpens in the house for a few hours, but keeping a dog in an outdoor cage/kennel makes for a bad pet. If my future dog is going to be a house pet, that's how I want the first few months of it's life to be. That's also how I want it's parents to live. If dogs are kept in a kennel building, they can't be properly monitored for health and temperment issues. They aren't going to get enough attention or be socialized properly either. This is the main reason why petstore and puppymill dogs are so hard to housebreak as well. Instead of holding private breeders to these horrible standards we should hold them to the same anti-cruelty laws that every pet owner should adhere to and get rid of the commercial breeders(aka puppymillers) alltogether.

PepinosBambinos · 10-11-2008, 02:58 AM

Hmmm - your reply is thought provoking Harley Chk, but I think that I stated that there should be some form of licensing and limit laws for private breeders. Dogs are still in homes, but a manageable number of dogs receiving a certain level of care. Right now there are no standards for private breeders.

I went to a lot of breeders' homes looking for my pets, and what I saw in some of them was very distressing - dogs walking around in their feces, dirty water dishes, feces in their bedding, and so many dogs in a small house that they had no choice but to live that way. In one home, it was so run over in the "dog room" with excrement, that it was mixed in with the food. It broke my heart.

PepinosBambinos · 10-11-2008, 02:59 AM

Ooops - I did say "same standards as for commercial breeders". That's not what I meant.

GPONTLITZ · 10-11-2008, 03:09 AM

Don't know if they'd ever get a law for homes, but standards should be there too, and there customers that see the wrongs should turn them in, maybe hefty fines would help put them out of just breeding for the bucks...

PepinosBambinos · 10-11-2008, 04:12 AM

I think that's my point - there are no standards, so there are no fines or anything. A person can have a hundred dogs, and as long as they are selling to private individuals, the Animal Welfare Act does not apply to them. It applies to commercial breeders selling to pet stores and researchers that breed more than five dogs a year.

Perhaps what is needed is a better definition of breeder. That way, if a person has, say more than seven dogs, they have to meet the standards set forth in the act. I don't know. But I saw some very sad conditions in private homes and there is nothing I can do about it as an individual because there is no legislation out there to back me.

A very thought provoking discussion....thanks for your input.

Harley_chik · 10-11-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PepinosBambinos

Hmmm - your reply is thought provoking Harley Chk, but I think that I stated that there should be some form of licensing and limit laws for private breeders. Dogs are still in homes, but a manageable number of dogs receiving a certain level of care. Right now there are no standards for private breeders.

I went to a lot of breeders' homes looking for my pets, and what I saw in some of them was very distressing - dogs walking around in their feces, dirty water dishes, feces in their bedding, and so many dogs in a small house that they had no choice but to live that way. In one home, it was so run over in the "dog room" with excrement, that it was mixed in with the food. It broke my heart.

I hope you reported those "breeders." The conditions you are describing probably violate anti-cruelty laws and health codes that are already in place. If children were living in those environment they would be taken from the home. If the authorities don't enforce the laws we already have in place, why would passing new laws do any good? Breeders should be held to the same standard as every pet owner. If you have four dogs that you don't breed, it's still wrong to let them live in their own filth. We need better enforcement, not more legislation that does nothing but garner good press for politicians.

bustersdaddy · 10-12-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley_chik

I hope you reported those "breeders." The conditions you are describing probably violate anti-cruelty laws and health codes that are already in place. If children were living in those environment they would be taken from the home. If the authorities don't enforce the laws we already have in place, why would passing new laws do any good? Breeders should be held to the same standard as every pet owner. If you have four dogs that you don't breed, it's still wrong to let them live in their own filth. We need better enforcement, not more legislation that does nothing but garner good press for politicians.

yes I agree, I would like to know who these breeders you are talking about are at? Buster is getting on on years and I will be looking some day for a new side kick as well as I have thought about getting one for my wife as a suprise at x-mas so I would like to know where not to go. could you let us know?

PepinosBambinos · 10-12-2008, 03:36 AM

I'm with Harley - we need more enforcement!

And Buster's Daddy - my next baby will come from a yorkie rescue!

Three years to change legislation in Pennsylvania - that's dedication to stick with it that long to improve conditions. Kudos to the individuals that persisted.

bustersdaddy · 10-12-2008, 03:56 AM

but I want a puppy I can train truckdriving is a hard job and I need a little guy I can train, I got buster from a good breeder close to me if she still does it I will go back to her, I am glad thier are small breeders around, I would never buy from a puppymill or large place when they live in cages all thier life thats just wrong. The lady I got buster from her babies are all in the house loved taken care of. I think thats how it should be. And I got him cheaper because his ears would not stand. So your baby fixed too? It makes it better on them no worries about a stay female around lol he can just concentate on me. And his toys I do feel it is very important as pet owners we be responsialbe and fix our babies so they don't end up in rescues in the first place.

bustersdaddy · 10-12-2008, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley_chik

I think private breeders should be required to take proper care of their dogs, too. However what you seem to be descibing isn't the answer. Commercial breeders aren't allowed to keep their dog in their home. They must be in a separate building with concrete flooring and drainage. One thing I'm very adamant about, when buying from a breeder, is that the dogs are pets first. I would never buy from someone who kept their dogs in cages or a separate building. It doesn't matter what kind of flooring or how big it is. I'm fine with crating or using playpens in the house for a few hours, but keeping a dog in an outdoor cage/kennel makes for a bad pet. If my future dog is going to be a house pet, that's how I want the first few months of it's life to be. That's also how I want it's parents to live. If dogs are kept in a kennel building, they can't be properly monitored for health and temperment issues. They aren't going to get enough attention or be socialized properly either. This is the main reason why petstore and puppymill dogs are so hard to housebreak as well. Instead of holding private breeders to these horrible standards we should hold them to the same anti-cruelty laws that every pet owner should adhere to and get rid of the commercial breeders(aka puppymillers) alltogether.

well spoken! I agree fully we in our state have animal control for just that thing if you call them they will take the dogs away. but I live in n.c it does very from state to state, I do hope that peniobambino did report these breeders, but not sure about her state.

bustersdaddy · 10-12-2008, 03:50 PM

[quote=PepinosBambinos;2277473]Thank you for posting this article! I've spent the last few days on the phone with the department of agriculture and other agencies trying to find out what can be done to improve conditions for animals that are bred for resale. Unfortunately, the Animal Welfare Act does not cover dogs or cats that are bred privately and sold to individuals - it only governs breeders that sell to pet shops and researchers. There are NO REGULATIONS that govern private breeders that sell to "pet homes" so breeders do not have to conform to the standards set by the US Department of Agriculture for commercial breeders. There are no licensing requirements and in my state (South Carolina) there are no limit laws unless it is enforced at the county or city level.

If you care about this issue, please take the time to write to your state representative asking them to introduce legislation that requires private breeders to conform to the same standards that are set for commercial breeders.[/quote I have to admitt I am cunfused here I read the thread bad breeder in nc and this lady claims you have and are breeding your dogs, so why all the fuss? we here are pet owners on this thread, so why are you calling all these goverment places when you breed too?

just wondering, had to ask, my buster is fixed . I would never think of breeding him I think that should be left to the breeders here that know what they are doing, so much can go wrong and you can loose your baby, not me.sorry I just dont understand , thats all , anyone else with me here?

10-10-2008, 11:36 AM	#1
I Love Bailey I Love Angel too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 1,339	[News] Victory in PA—Landmark Puppy Mill Reform Bill Passes! A step in the right direction.... Victory in PA—Landmark Puppy Mill Reform Bill Passes! Trying to shed its reputation as “The Puppy Mill Capital of the East,” the Pennsylvania Legislature on Wednesday night passed HB 2525, a bill that will improve the lives of tens of thousands of dogs living in Pennsylvania’s puppy mills. Introduced in May, HB 2525 doubles the cage space required for dogs in Pennsylvania’s commercial breeding facilities, prohibits wire flooring and the stacking of cages, mandates exercise and twice-yearly veterinary exams for all dogs, and requires that animals be humanely euthanized by licensed veterinarians. The ASPCA has been working with the Governor’s Office and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for over three years to increase enforcement and standards of care for dogs in the state’s commercial kennels. We lobbied for passage of HB 2525 by activating the Pennsylvania members of the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade and by spending much of the past several months in Harrisburg, the state capital, promoting the bill to legislators. Governor Ed Rendell signed HB 2525 into law the day after it was passed. __________________ Michele & Bailey Angel 7/06-9/12 Last edited by I Love Bailey; 10-10-2008 at 11:39 AM.

10-10-2008, 02:58 PM	#2
dogears Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Charlotte, nc Posts: 555	Way to go PA A step in the right direction.

10-10-2008, 04:38 PM	#3
PepinosBambinos BANNED! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Relocated by Witness Protection Plan and unable to disclose my new location and identity Posts: 20	Take Action Against Puppy Mills Thank you for posting this article! I've spent the last few days on the phone with the department of agriculture and other agencies trying to find out what can be done to improve conditions for animals that are bred for resale. Unfortunately, the Animal Welfare Act does not cover dogs or cats that are bred privately and sold to individuals - it only governs breeders that sell to pet shops and researchers. There are NO REGULATIONS that govern private breeders that sell to "pet homes" so breeders do not have to conform to the standards set by the US Department of Agriculture for commercial breeders. There are no licensing requirements and in my state (South Carolina) there are no limit laws unless it is enforced at the county or city level. If you care about this issue, please take the time to write to your state representative asking them to introduce legislation that requires private breeders to conform to the same standards that are set for commercial breeders.

10-10-2008, 05:06 PM	#4
izzierj YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 710	That was emailed to me by the ASPCA today !! Good email !!!! __________________ Michelle ~ and the girls ~ Harlee and Izzie ~ and our boy ~ Cole

10-11-2008, 03:09 AM	#8
GPONTLITZ Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MARYLAND Posts: 223	Don't know if they'd ever get a law for homes, but standards should be there too, and there customers that see the wrongs should turn them in, maybe hefty fines would help put them out of just breeding for the bucks... __________________ hugs and licks, ginger and JD

10-11-2008, 02:58 AM	#6
PepinosBambinos BANNED! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Relocated by Witness Protection Plan and unable to disclose my new location and identity Posts: 20	Hmmm - your reply is thought provoking Harley Chk, but I think that I stated that there should be some form of licensing and limit laws for private breeders. Dogs are still in homes, but a manageable number of dogs receiving a certain level of care. Right now there are no standards for private breeders. I went to a lot of breeders' homes looking for my pets, and what I saw in some of them was very distressing - dogs walking around in their feces, dirty water dishes, feces in their bedding, and so many dogs in a small house that they had no choice but to live that way. In one home, it was so run over in the "dog room" with excrement, that it was mixed in with the food. It broke my heart.

10-11-2008, 02:59 AM	#7
PepinosBambinos BANNED! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Relocated by Witness Protection Plan and unable to disclose my new location and identity Posts: 20	Ooops - I did say "same standards as for commercial breeders". That's not what I meant.

10-11-2008, 04:12 AM	#9
PepinosBambinos BANNED! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Relocated by Witness Protection Plan and unable to disclose my new location and identity Posts: 20	I think that's my point - there are no standards, so there are no fines or anything. A person can have a hundred dogs, and as long as they are selling to private individuals, the Animal Welfare Act does not apply to them. It applies to commercial breeders selling to pet stores and researchers that breed more than five dogs a year. Perhaps what is needed is a better definition of breeder. That way, if a person has, say more than seven dogs, they have to meet the standards set forth in the act. I don't know. But I saw some very sad conditions in private homes and there is nothing I can do about it as an individual because there is no legislation out there to back me. A very thought provoking discussion....thanks for your input.

10-12-2008, 03:36 AM	#12
PepinosBambinos BANNED! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Relocated by Witness Protection Plan and unable to disclose my new location and identity Posts: 20	I'm with Harley - we need more enforcement! And Buster's Daddy - my next baby will come from a yorkie rescue! Three years to change legislation in Pennsylvania - that's dedication to stick with it that long to improve conditions. Kudos to the individuals that persisted.

10-12-2008, 03:56 AM	#13
bustersdaddy Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: newton n.c Posts: 15	but I want a puppy I can train truckdriving is a hard job and I need a little guy I can train, I got buster from a good breeder close to me if she still does it I will go back to her, I am glad thier are small breeders around, I would never buy from a puppymill or large place when they live in cages all thier life thats just wrong. The lady I got buster from her babies are all in the house loved taken care of. I think thats how it should be. And I got him cheaper because his ears would not stand. So your baby fixed too? It makes it better on them no worries about a stay female around lol he can just concentate on me. And his toys I do feel it is very important as pet owners we be responsialbe and fix our babies so they don't end up in rescues in the first place.

10-12-2008, 03:50 PM	#15
bustersdaddy Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: newton n.c Posts: 15	[quote=PepinosBambinos;2277473]Thank you for posting this article! I've spent the last few days on the phone with the department of agriculture and other agencies trying to find out what can be done to improve conditions for animals that are bred for resale. Unfortunately, the Animal Welfare Act does not cover dogs or cats that are bred privately and sold to individuals - it only governs breeders that sell to pet shops and researchers. There are NO REGULATIONS that govern private breeders that sell to "pet homes" so breeders do not have to conform to the standards set by the US Department of Agriculture for commercial breeders. There are no licensing requirements and in my state (South Carolina) there are no limit laws unless it is enforced at the county or city level. If you care about this issue, please take the time to write to your state representative asking them to introduce legislation that requires private breeders to conform to the same standards that are set for commercial breeders.[/quote I have to admitt I am cunfused here I read the thread bad breeder in nc and this lady claims you have and are breeding your dogs, so why all the fuss? we here are pet owners on this thread, so why are you calling all these goverment places when you breed too? just wondering, had to ask, my buster is fixed . I would never think of breeding him I think that should be left to the breeders here that know what they are doing, so much can go wrong and you can loose your baby, not me.sorry I just dont understand , thats all , anyone else with me here?