New York Signs Puppy Mill Bill Into Law

[RuralPug]

http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/07/cuomo-signs-puppy-mill-bill-into-law/

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation: S7268A, also known as “Charlemagne’s Law”, into law. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Greg Ball (R,C-Patterson), will improve the health and quality of life of animals by providing duly licensed pet dealers with updated standards of care.

In May, Senator Greg Ball enlisted the support of his Animal Advisory Council, concerned constituents, the Westchester County SPCA, and their furry friends at a Puppy Mill Protest in Somers, N.Y. in support of this bill.

“This is a great day, and showcases what can get done when you reach across the aisle. This is the first step, in what is sure to be a long journey against inhumane practices, but it is a solid first step to protect our four legged friends. It is horrifying to think that dogs and cats are being raised in such inhumane conditions, stacked atop one another drenched in feces and urine with no room to exercise. I’m certainly focused on my core issues of less government, lower taxes and job creation, yet thrilled that Governor Cuomo has signed this bill, that will protect these animals and the consumer,” said Senator Ball.

“I’ve had friends and constituents whose families have suffered through extreme emotional and financial damage, while the immoral businesses that abuse these animals make high profits. It is my belief that government should stay out of the way of small business, but when it comes to harming animals or families, it’s time to intervene,” he said.

“Puppy Mills” house dogs in shockingly poor conditions, solely for the purpose of breeding. After their fertility wanes, these animals are often killed, abandoned or sold cheaply to another mill. The result of all this breeding is millions of puppies, many with behavior and/or health problems. Puppy Mills continue to thrive because they prey on unwitting consumers who see these poor animals in pet store windows and on legitimate-seeming websites.

This legislation will provide that any licensed pet dealer must:

•Designate an attending veterinarian to care for the animals at the facility, who will be available, if needed for emergency, weekend and holiday care;

•Comply with a written program of veterinarian care provided by the attending veterinarian;

•Allow regular visits by the attending veterinarian;

•Provide appropriate facilities, personnel, equipment and services for the animals to implement the plan developed by the attending veterinarian;

•Develop a program to prevent, control and respond to diseases and injuries;

•Designate an employee, trained by the attending veterinarian to provide daily observation of all animals to assess their health and well-being;

•Develop, maintain, document and implement an appropriate daily exercise plan approved by the attending veterinarian. This plan will include providing positive physical contact with humans that encourages exercise through play and other similar activities;

•Designate and provide an isolation area for animals that exhibit symptoms of contagious disease or illness in order to prevent or reduce the spread of disease to health animals;

•Vaccinate as required by the state or local law all animals;

•Not sell any animal that has been diagnosed with a congenital condition or contagious disease.

“Our mission is to protect the puppies, kittens and consumers from the unscrupulous breeders and pet stores,” said Charlemagne’s Law advocate Lorriane Pagano. “These stores and breeders are knowingly selling sick animals in turn people are being forced to euthanize their pets or turn them over to a shelter because they cannot afford the outrageous vet bills associated with their sick pets. I am very grateful to Senator Ball and his awesome staff.”

“The signing of Charlemagne’s Law marks an important step into protecting animals for inhumane treatment and abuse of animals sold in stores. Senator Greg Ball’s compassion and support for our four-legged family members has been clear and unyielding,” said Senator Ball’s Animal Advisory Council Chair, and animal rights advocate, Lisa Giordano. “This is a step in the right direction, to many more great accomplishments for New Yorkers and all our loved ones.”

[Decadence]

Although the practice is now meant to be regulated, I am still not happy that these mills are operating at all. I would much prefer that they be shut down completely. Leave dog breeding to the registered breeders. It is a shame that there is an industry designed for profit only to produce cute fluffy pups. The poor mothers of these pups are bred and bred and there is nothing to stop that

[RuralPug]

I didn't realise this had actually posted - my pc crashed and I thought it hadn't. here is the comment I meant to add to the news article:

I wonder that the attitude "regulate the manufacturers" instead of educating the customers and retailers is really the way to go? Why "protect consumers" (from their own ignorance?) rather than train the retailers to fit the product properly to the customer when the 'product' is not a made thing but a living, feeling, breathing potential family member?

Personally I don't think this kind of regulation will help. The puppy farmers will just reconfigure so that their broodstock is housed on easily disinfected concrete with the minimum 'exercise' that their chosen shonky vet will let them get away with - same sort of thing has happened here in places already in response to council and state regs.

So how DO we get the message out there to puppy buyers to check for ethical breeders and NOT impulse buy and stop retailers selling to just anyone?

Decadence I agree that it won't stop the suffering of dogs owned by $$-only driven breeders but I'm not sure that regulation of breeders in general will acheive that either. Really the only thing that will stop them is for demand to be less impulsive and more selective in regards to health and care of parents as well as health of offspring - but how to acheive that?

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

NSW have introduced a code of practice - which parts of it are supposedly enforceable. Don't know if they are or not. And it's a bit vague about who it applies to - people making a profit from breeding or anyone who breeds.

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/animal-welfare/codes/breeding-dogs-and-cats

[RuralPug]

NSW have introduced a code of practice - which parts of it are supposedly enforceable. Don't know if they are or not. And it's a bit vague about who it applies to - people making a profit from breeding or anyone who breeds.

http://www.dpi.nsw.g...g-dogs-and-cats

I quite like the format, clearly defined minimum enforceable standards and optional best practice standards - that goes some way towards what we could point to when we say "choose a good breeder" - which would be one who proves to use the best practice standards (and probably goes beyond IMO).

Interesting to note that in NSW displaying microchip numbers on sales advertisements is optional best practice, here in Vic it is mandatory for anyone selling regardless of whether or not they are a business.

But I do agree, the biggest hole in it is not defining a breeding "business".

At least the Vic law attempts to pinpoint that as anyone who has a certain number of entire dogs or cats, whether or not they make a profit from selling puppies or kittens (I'm simplifying here).

[Ronda]

I know that this wont stop puppy farms, but why cant the government just pass a law that says its illegal to sell puppy's/kittens/dogs/cats in pet stores? It would at least make it harder for them to sell pups.

[Tibbie_tabbie]

I know that this wont stop puppy farms, but why cant the government just pass a law that says its illegal to sell puppy's/kittens/dogs/cats in pet stores? It would at least make it harder for them to sell pups.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

The NSW link says "in the business of breeding" and the actual document just says "the activity of breeding" which is nice and vague and covers anyone who breeds dogs. But the detail is all about what paid staff do...

But I like the details. It would be a PITA for a small scale breeder (eg only one breeding pair and only breeds occasionally).

[sandgrubber]

Hard to evaluate without knowing what's in present laws, whether the problems are in the laws themselves, or in enforcement, what sorts of puppy mills are operating in New York, and who the legislation actually applies to . . . ie, how much it will force small breeders into using concrete kennels.