Spring Break
Lawmakers want puppy mill regulations
Kreitlow, Smith bring bill to state Senate, Assembly
Breann Schossow
Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Campus News
Working for the Humane Society in Green Bay, sophomore Caitlyn Kissner encountered dogs that may have been bred in puppy mills.
Puppy mills are facilities that breed and sell purebred dogs, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Documented problems related to these facilities include over-and-inbreeding, poor quality food and shelters, and killing unwanted animals, among others.
"I definitely think that there should be some sort of legislation against them," Kissner said.
Kissner may get her wish if legislation sponsored by area legislators passes.
Rep. Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) and Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Valley), among others, introduced a Commercial Dog Breeders Licensure Bill last week in the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate.
The bill would protect consumers and provide licenses for responsible, legitimate breeders, Smith said. Until April 24, there will be an opportunity to add co-sponsors before it continues the legislative bill process, Smith said.
Smith's interest regarding this issue began in 2006, when he and Kreitlow attended an eye-opening meeting of concerned breeders, owners and rescue operations.
"I don't think either of us realized how prevalent this problem was with puppy mills," he said.
However, this isn't the first time that the issue of puppy mills has been introduced to the Wisconsin Legislature. Smith said that in the last five sessions others have tried to pass similar legislation. The difference this time, he said, is research and fine-tuning, making this the best bill so far.
One specific point of the new bill includes a 25-dog threshold, which means that groups who breed and sell 25 or more dogs need a license, Smith said. Violations include operating without a license or being reported and found guilty of acts of animal cruelty, which may result in jail time and fines.
If the bill is not passed by the end of the legislation session in May 2010, Smith said the process would start all over again. However, he remains hopeful.
"I'm cautiously optimistic that I will be able to pass this."
Puppy mills are facilities that breed and sell purebred dogs, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Documented problems related to these facilities include over-and-inbreeding, poor quality food and shelters, and killing unwanted animals, among others.
"I definitely think that there should be some sort of legislation against them," Kissner said.
Kissner may get her wish if legislation sponsored by area legislators passes.
Rep. Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire) and Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Valley), among others, introduced a Commercial Dog Breeders Licensure Bill last week in the Wisconsin State Assembly and Senate.
The bill would protect consumers and provide licenses for responsible, legitimate breeders, Smith said. Until April 24, there will be an opportunity to add co-sponsors before it continues the legislative bill process, Smith said.
Smith's interest regarding this issue began in 2006, when he and Kreitlow attended an eye-opening meeting of concerned breeders, owners and rescue operations.
"I don't think either of us realized how prevalent this problem was with puppy mills," he said.
However, this isn't the first time that the issue of puppy mills has been introduced to the Wisconsin Legislature. Smith said that in the last five sessions others have tried to pass similar legislation. The difference this time, he said, is research and fine-tuning, making this the best bill so far.
One specific point of the new bill includes a 25-dog threshold, which means that groups who breed and sell 25 or more dogs need a license, Smith said. Violations include operating without a license or being reported and found guilty of acts of animal cruelty, which may result in jail time and fines.
If the bill is not passed by the end of the legislation session in May 2010, Smith said the process would start all over again. However, he remains hopeful.
"I'm cautiously optimistic that I will be able to pass this."
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