Getting Tough on Puppy Mills

Petside Blog
|
Poll Archive
|
A-Z
- AAHA
- Beds
- Bones
- Books
- Bowls
- Carriers
- Cat Food
- Catnip
- Collars
- Crates
- Dog Food
- Grooming Tools
- Leashes
- Pet Food
- Pet Picture
- Pet Store
- Pharmacy
- Toys
- Treats

| Print | By | January 27, 2009 12:35 PM

The state government of Illinois is getting tough on puppy mills. Making it one of their top priorities by joining with the ASPCA, Chicago, Illinois lawmakers and animal welfare advocates have announced Chloe's Bill, a legislation designed to eradicate the worst puppy mills in their state.

Cori Menkin, ASPCA Senior Director of Legislative Initiatives said, "Illinois has a unique opportunity to adopt one of the strongest commercial breeding laws in the country. As commercial breeding increases throughout the United States, particularly in the Midwest, it is reassuring that Illinois is recognizing the need for stronger laws before the prevalence of puppy mills becomes a blight on the state's reputation."

The goals of Chloe's Bill are:

1. Limiting breeders to a maximum of 20 unaltered dogs as breeding stock.

2. Banning anyone convicted of an animal cruelty felony from attaining a dog-breeding license.

3. Mandate that pet stores and breeders to give their customers a complete medical history for any dog purchased.

4. Ban wire flooring in any cages at commercial breeding facilities.

5. Set appropriate guidelines for ventilation, heating and cooling in commercial breeding facilities.

6. Set violation penalties which range from fines to animal seizure and revocation of breeding licenses.

Chloe's Bill is sponsored by State Rep. John Fritchley and State Senator Dan Kotowski. The bill was named in honor of a rescued cocker spaniel; the sole survivor of a Macon County, Il. puppy mill raid. Chloe now shares the heart and home with one of the animal control agents who were involved in her rescue.

A happy canine ambassador, Chloe was present at this past Sunday's press conference, where the pending bill was announced to the public. The puppy mill from which Chloe was rescued is like thousands of others throughout the United States.

These commercial facilities' main concern is making huge profits which are gained with little regard to the animals' physical or emotional condition. These breeding animals and their offspring often live in total squalor, infested with fleas, internal parasites, and are filthy, matted with urine and feces.

"We are not trying to do anything drastic; we're not trying to do anything radical. We're trying to implement standards for what is humane care, for what is decent care." Rep. Fritchey told the media. He mentioned that there may be opposition to the bill, but added that any breeder that did oppose this bill would be suspect as reputable, and consumers should be wary.

The ASPCA will be emailing their Illinois advocates shortly, with guidance on how they can join with them to facilitate the passage of Chloe's bill. If it passes, a potential domino effect will occur resulting in other states finding it easier to pass similar legislation.
How do puppy mills thrive?

Watch this compelling video to learn more about the inhumane commercial puppy mills.

If you are interested in joining in the fight to end puppy mills, check out the ASPCA website and sign up for further news about this bill and other important legislative news at http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_newsalert012309#1

RELATED TOPICS: Abuse (19) , Blogs (224) , Politics (11) , Puppy Mills (5) , Rescue (14)

« Previous

Hide Posted Comments

Anonymous January 28, 2009 9:32 AM

I could not watch the video. I am so oopposed to this kind of treatment that I know it would be very upsetting to me. I hope and pray for the day these puppy mills are banned.

Anonymous January 28, 2009 10:20 AM

What I don't understand is, if these breeders keep these animals in such lousy conditions how can they say the dogs have wonderful personalities? The dogs don't have a chance to form personalities. They don't have a chance to have any kind of "normal" life if they haven't had a chance to experience it. I hope and pray this legislation is passed and spreads country wide as fast as possible. All breeding facilites should be looked at closely and be closed if they don't fall within the guidelines.

Anonymous January 28, 2009 2:47 PM

I didn't watch the video, but THANK YOU for writing this blog about puppy mills. My dog who passed away in August was from a puppy mill, he was the LOVE of my life and he was also my first dog, so I didn't know that pet stores were 99% puppy mill dogs, but they are. Reggie was born in an area of MO that is very high in puppy mills then shipped to an Indiana pet store to be sold. I was extremely devastated when he passed. Following that tragedy, I have a friend of a friend who referred me to a breeder where an adorable puppy Chin had just been born. The breeder sent me videos & pictures for 2 months. The Breeder then tells me she could be closed down if the puppy mill bill passes in Michigan, again I was devastated. Later she informs me the dog was not healthy enough for her to sell. I was beside myself! I pray for theses dogs who are being abused in these horrendous mills.

Anonymous February 9, 2009 11:13 PM

I lend my support to passing legislation to regulate the puppy mills in Indiana. The heinous treatment of these suffering dogs must be stopped and the sale of thousands of puppies gained through these inhumane conditions must be taxed. Thank you, Barbara, Fort Wayne

Anonymous February 9, 2009 11:14 PM

janna-jay April 10, 2009 11:25 AM

My sister and niece just spent over $7,000 for exhorbitant vet bills for her Shih Tzu puppy purchased at Petland in Indianapolis. The puppy had to be put to sleep at Purdue University for parasites so out of control that treatment would not be advisable due to having to remove part of one lung and not being able to stabilize this puppy. Vaccinations and deworming records were falsified. No pet store should be allowed to sell puppies or kittens, as most come from puppy mills. This puppy, she found out, came from Iowa and shipped to Petland. Horrible for the puppy and the people who love them.

Emily Bailey Agust 9,2009 6:00 PM August 11, 2009 9:16 PM

puppy mills suck dogs deserve to live the only way and the olny way for them to die is to be hamanly eunazide or die byn them selfs is wong to let them rot no dog wants to die by being eaten by fleas and ticks it is wong to do that to a dog.how would you poeple like to be eaten by fleas andd ticks all that would be left of you would be bones please dont do this to thoses poor dogs all animals want to live forever inclluding human beenings please dont do this to dogs i love them and you peaple suold to this sould hunt you people until the day you die please dot do this to dogs please dont please they want to live as long as they can and enjoy life wwhile they can dont you people they want to have loving homes while they can live

Emily Bailey Agust 9,2009 6:00 PM August 11, 2009 9:17 PM

Tammy September 25, 2009 9:29 AM

How do we stop these pet stores from selling these dogs to unsuspecting people. They r getting hundreds of dollars for these pups.There is a petstore here in york Pa (Glamoprous Pooch) doing just that. So many people know that these people are slime, we need to do to them what these poor pups are put through..Lets shut these not so GLAMOROUS POOCH SHOPS DOWN!!!!