Lawmakers Prepare Puppy Mill Bill
Bill Would Give Dog Buyers Recourse
Updated: 7:32 pm CDT September 27, 2007
MADISON, Wis. -- Large-scale dog breeders might need a state license under a bill lawmakers introduced Thursday.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe bipartisan measure marks another attempt by the Legislature to clamp down on inhumane conditions at puppy mills and give people who unknowingly buy sick dogs some recourse."It's big business. Dogs are expensive, especially purebred dogs. We're talking about hundreds, thousands of dollars. So what we're trying to go after are the intentional bad actors," said Sen. Jeff Plale of Milwaukee.Under the measure, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection would set up health standards for breeders. Anyone who sells more than 60 dogs annually or has more than eight breeding females would have to get a license.They must also meet minimum breeding and sanitary standards, and be subject to inspections, WISC-TV reported."The time has come for us to protect puppies, (and) shut down unruly puppy mills that are not treating animals fairly," said Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills. Buyers who purchase sick dogs would be entitled to exchange sick dogs, get refunds and collect reimbursement for vet fees.Legislators said this law will be driven by consumer complaints. Penalties would include fines, loss of breeding license and even jail time, WISC-TV reported.The 2001 and 2003 state budgets both set up licenses, but those provisions were vetoed out. A 2003 bill calling for licenses died in committee.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe bipartisan measure marks another attempt by the Legislature to clamp down on inhumane conditions at puppy mills and give people who unknowingly buy sick dogs some recourse."It's big business. Dogs are expensive, especially purebred dogs. We're talking about hundreds, thousands of dollars. So what we're trying to go after are the intentional bad actors," said Sen. Jeff Plale of Milwaukee.Under the measure, the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection would set up health standards for breeders. Anyone who sells more than 60 dogs annually or has more than eight breeding females would have to get a license.They must also meet minimum breeding and sanitary standards, and be subject to inspections, WISC-TV reported."The time has come for us to protect puppies, (and) shut down unruly puppy mills that are not treating animals fairly," said Sen. Alberta Darling of River Hills. Buyers who purchase sick dogs would be entitled to exchange sick dogs, get refunds and collect reimbursement for vet fees.Legislators said this law will be driven by consumer complaints. Penalties would include fines, loss of breeding license and even jail time, WISC-TV reported.The 2001 and 2003 state budgets both set up licenses, but those provisions were vetoed out. A 2003 bill calling for licenses died in committee. Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
