Jan 21, 2009 5:50 pm US/Mountain
Lawmakers Trying To Eliminate Puppy Mills
By Steven K. Paulson, AP Writer
DENVER (CBS4/AP) ―
Warning that puppy mills treat dogs like "cash crops," animal rights activists backed a bill Wednesday that would limit the number of animals that can be raised in captivity and allow state inspectors to remove them.
Rep. Beth McCann, D-Denver, said animals have been crippled in cages, injured and killed by people who raise them for mass marketing.
Her bill, introduced Wednesday, would prevent dog breeders from keeping more than 25 adult breeding dogs.
"We believe that limiting the number of dogs will ensure more humane treatment, and 25 seemed like a good number," McCann said. "(It) would be a reasonable number for one kennel to be able to take care of adequately."
"This legislation will crack down on abusive puppy mills where man's best friend is treated like a cash crop instead of members of the family," said Holly Tarry, Colorado director of the Humane Society of the United States.
The Humane Society said one Colorado dog breeder was ordered out of business last year after state inspectors found 40 animals had starved to death on the property and six others were in critical condition.
The society said a dog had to be removed from another facility because it had an ulcerated eye, and that a third facility has had 40 complaints or violations but continues to operate.
State Department of Agriculture inspectors did not immediately return calls Wednesday seeking confirmation of the incidents.
McCann said current laws are ineffective to deal with puppy mills because the law does not limit the size of the facilities. She said by the time conditions allow inspectors to act, the animals are harmed or even killed.
Debbie Faulkner of Crawford said she rescued her cocker spaniel from a puppy mill on the western slope.
"Many of them have ear mites and behavioral problems. I want to get those people out of business," she said.
Linda Hart, a spokesperson for the Colorado Dog Federation, says the legislation punishes all dog breeders for the problems caused by only a few.
"There are good and bad commercial breeders," Hart said. "There are good and bad shelters. There are good and bad hobby breeders; so it doesn't depend on the numbers or the type of breeder you are, it's how you take care of your animals."
The Dog Federation says limiting the number of adult breeding dogs to 25 will just put people out of business.
If dog breeders have been convicted before of animal cruelty, the law would take away their license and keep them from getting another one.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
316,000 Bongs Disguised As Ornaments
Obama Sculpture Does A Cool Trick
Slideshow: Colorado's Weirdest House
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments