Montana: Debate heats up on ‘puppy mill' bill Missoulian: Debate heats up on ‘puppy mill' bill Debate heats up on ‘puppy mill' bill By CHARLES S. JOHNSON Missoulian State Bureau HELENA - People from across Montana this week demanded state regulation of filthy “puppy mills” that often produce weak, diseased dogs and create costly problems for neighbors and local governments. But people who described themselves as hobby dog breeders who run clean operations said the bill is so broad it could put them out of business. The House Agriculture Committee heard the conflicting testimony on House Bill 548, by Rep. Dave McAlpin, D-Missoula. His bill would regulate facilities that breed or sell dogs and require the state Livestock Department to conduct regular inspections. As McAlpin would amend it, the bill would apply to facilities with 20 adult breeding dogs or that sell at least 20 dogs a year. The inspections would include animal shelters and pet stores as well as breeding operations. Facilities would pay $415 every two years to cover inspection costs. “Montana is on the verge of attracting puppy mill operations from other states,” McAlpin said. “Taxpayers bear the burden of caring for hundreds of dogs.” He said it's not fair for local communities to have to pay “for these messes.” Linda Schure of Ronan read a letter from someone who had worked at a Lake County puppy mill where the breeding dogs never left their tiny cages or got any exercise. Multiple female dogs were put in a single small cage with one “breeding male.” Multiple dogs were placed in one cage with one dish of dog food, which resulted in the weakest dogs starving to death. The dead dogs were thrown away. When the trailer containing the dog cages stank too much, the operators took it to the dump. Frances Carey of St. Ignatius told about living next door to a breeding facility that has 300-500 dogs and whose owners want to increase the number to 700. The facility owners use a septic system to dispose of dog excrement but it is too much for the system to handle. Carey said the breeding operation, with the sewage problem and 500 barking dogs, has devalued the property values of every neighbor. Opponents of the bill called it an overreach by government and suggested instead toughening up existing animal cruelty laws instead of launching new government regulation. “I think this bill is an invasion of our constitutional rights - privacy and property rights,” said Tim Ravendal. He suggested strengthening current animal cruelty laws to “take care of the rogue operators.” Peggy Duezabou called “puppy mill” an inflammatory term that shouldn't be used in the hearing. She said it would be “unproductive to regulate the small kennels.” Deborah Blank, who lives 15 miles outside Helena, said she breeds certain dogs used to herd livestock. She said she spends $20,000 to $30,000 a year on dog food, veterinarian bills and other costs, but makes no money from her operation. The committee didn't vote on the bill. |
I think this bill has been defeated. |
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