Puppymills is a hot topic for animal lovers in the state of PA. We among several other states are known for these mass commercial breeding facilities where dogs live under horrific conditions solely to breed to make money. It’s a business and those of us who know about them understand the seedy side of it.
I’ve been to protests, rallies, listened to speakers and talked to legislators about this but it seems one person has made a major difference in this fight. Since Bill Smith of Mainline Rescue of Chester County, PA was on the Oprah show, it appears a number of bills have come together rather quickly and is moving forward. I was at a meeting last night where this was discussed. Oprah obviously has power and is backing the new regulations. I am not an Oprah fan but am thrilled that these bills are moving forward!!
One of the sponsors of one of the bills is Rep. Thomas Caltagirone from Berks County. I commend him for being a part of this! This bill would outlaw tail docking of dogs older than three days by anyone except a veterinarian, debarking and surgical births. The only question I would have is that English Bulldogs need surgical births. Caltagirone said he was compelled to sponsor the billl because he has pets and considers himself an animal lover.
Another bill would define a commercial breeder kennel as one that sells dogs to dealers or pets shops or one that sells or transfers more than 60 dogs a years. It would double the minimum floor spac for cages and require annual veterinary examinations and regular cage cleanings, among other things. Rep. James Casorio Jr is the bill’s prime sponsor.
Other measures would increase animal cruelty fines and require owners of seized dogs to pay the cost of keeping them in shelters.
Jessie Smith, the state’s special deputy secretary dog law enforcement, said 650 large scale commercial breeders would be targeted.
While I find all of this commendable and the laws so desperately needing to be changed, I worry there won’t be enough people to enforce any new laws. That has been the problem in the past. Although at the meeting I was at the other night , I was told there will be an increase of people to do so. Will it be enough to police over 650 mass commercial breeding facilities?? I sincerely hope so. No matter how much you change the law, if it isn’t enforced what good does it do to these poor, poor dogs who suffer their entire lives breeding and living under these most deplorable conditions? Does anyone out there realize the lives the mothers and fathers live and how they are disposed when they are of no use to them ~ or should I say when they can no longer make money for these idiots?????
The best advice I can give to someone is not to buy from a pet store. Approximately 99% of pet stores puppies come from puppy mills. Lancaster County is the puppymill capital of the East Coast and they sell these puppies to pet stores all of the time. There are a few good pet stores out there! Just do your homework. If a pet store is selling all types of breeds, well, you can figure it out.
Adopt from a shelter or rescue. Save a life ~ Adopt!!!! Adopt!!!!Adopt!!!!!!!!!