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Saturday, August 8, 2009

North Carolina poised to pass anti-puppy mill bill; breeders, hunters oppose

North Carolina is poised to become the ninth state to enact anti-puppy mill legislation.

On Monday the North Carolina state House takes up the "commercial breeder regulation" bill which passed the Senate by a hair (23-22) on Friday. It requires large (defined as more than 15 intact females or more than 30 puppies) dog producers be licensed by the state, and requires the Department of Agriculture to establish basic humane care standards, such as exercise and vet care for breeding dogs.

In February, the Humane Society of the United States - which is lobbying for the bill - and local authorities rescued more than 300 dogs from two abusive North Carolina puppy mills. The dogs were housed in filthy, cold, cramped cages without access to exercise, adequate veterinary care, or human contact. Rescuers said many of the dogs were covered with fecal encrusted dreadlocks and suffered from severe skin and eye infections. Some had chain collars embedded in their necks. 

The legislation to crack down on that abuse faces a mountain of opposition from veterinarians, breeders, sportsmen and farmers.

Lined up against the bill are the American Kennel Club, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Rifle Association, among other groups. The AKC, in an alert to members, said while it "abhors animal cruelty," the legislation would "punish reputable breeders." It says language is vague and that existing animal welfare laws are adequate.

The AKC's vigorous opposition to animal welfare legislation nationwide has prompted some, like Pet Connection blogger Gina Spadafori, to ask how the group - which prides itself as the guardian of quality dog breeding and standards for more than a century- became a defender of the commercial breeding industry, which most evidence suggests has no such standards and treats breeding dogs poorly. 

And some ask why the NRA (which stood on the sidelines during the debate over the Pennsylvania dog law last year) has suddenly decided that legislation to protect dogs is "anti-gun" and thrown their full weight - including putting up billboards like the one here -  behind stopping the North Carolina bill and others?

In an alert to members, the NRA said the bill,  "supported by the radical anti-hunting group HSUS," is "intended to put dog breeders out of business."

Read the language of the bill yourself and decide.

 

 

 


 
Posted by Amy Worden @ 11:12 AM  Permalink | 4 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:58 AM, 08/10/2009
    'The AKC, in an alert to members, said while it "abhors animal cruelty," the legislation would "punish reputable breeders." ' The AKC has no right to intervene in this case. They are not the one investigating the cases nor making sure that the 'reputable' are infact reputable. They are a stamp on a certificate and should stick to what they know, inbreeding. The NRA also needs to stick to what it knows, putting guns in the hands of people that don't deserve to have them. The AVMA, well, I have no clue why they would support commercial breeding operations other than they seem to make money of of the sick animals that come out of them when unsuspecting owners purchase a dog. Most people will not return a dog to a breeder if they have already fallen in love with it it so SOME, not all, vets profit from that. I am guessing the ones who live in states with no legisation to protect animals.
    — scargosun
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:27 PM, 08/10/2009
    Wow there is a shocker (sarcasm). The ones opposed are the ones who view animals as nothing more than feelingless, money making machines that are put on this earth just for humans to exploit or do whatever with. Why is it so hard to ask for cruelty-free legislation? The next piece of legislation I would like to see passed is to end the cruelty of factory farming.
    — Professor Smart E. Pants, PhD.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:32 PM, 08/10/2009
    Breeders who care about their animals and treat them with love and kindness have nothing to worry about. I would think that if you were breeding dogs then you would have a love for them and therefore would want to see something like this passed, but sadly that is not always the case. If a breeder is against this, then that breeder just sees his or her animals as a means only and is probably guilty of atrocious acts of animal cruelty.
    — Professor Smart E. Pants, PhD.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:36 PM, 08/10/2009
    Also, as someone who just recently rescued a kitten from the street (last Wednesday) and nursing her back to health so she can have a happy life, I would love to see more laws on the books to cut down on breeders. There are so many unwanted animals out there just looking for a home that people should be supporting local shelters, not breeders looking to make a quick buck by any means and with no regard for the animals in their "care."
    — Professor Smart E. Pants, PhD.


4 comments
About Amy Worden
Amy Worden is a politics and government reporter for the Inquirer. In that capacity she has explored a range of animal issues from dog kennel law improvements and horse slaughter to the comeback of peregrine falcons and pigeon hunts. From hamsters to horses, animals have always been part of her life. To pass along a tip or contact Amy, click here.
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