This week in the news

Yesterday, the Ohio House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 130 by a vote of 89-5, requiring commercial dog breeding facilities to be licensed and inspected for the first time in the state’s history. While the bill’s passing is a step in the right direction towards ending puppy mills in Ohio, the current version has been stripped of several of the vital requirements that would most improve the lives of Ohio’s puppy mill dogs.

The ASPCA, which has focused part of its national “No Pet Store Puppies” campaign on the Columbus, Ohio area, had recommended to the Ohio House Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee that every breeding dog receive a hands-on veterinary exam once a year, and that facility inspections be performed by state-level inspectors only. Unfortunately, these suggestions were not incorporated into the final bill.

“In order to ensure that all breeding dogs are healthy and safe, each dog should be examined by a veterinarian at least once a year,” said Cori Menkin, senior director of the ASPCA Puppy Mills Campaign. “In its current form, SB 130 does not require this, but the legislation is still a step in the right direction. We look forward to eventually working with the Ohio Department of Agriculture to ensure more humane standards of care are instituted.”

While legislation is certainly needed, refusing to shop for anything, including all pet supplies, at pet stores that sell puppies is a necessary part of stopping the demand for puppy mill dogs.

Don't breed suffering
The term “puppy mill” itself doesn’t quite cut it. We ought to call them “misery ranches,” for that’s what they really produce.

Pennsylvania Dog Law Enforcement Office Aggressively Enforcing Law; Protecting Man's Best Friend
Pennsylvania's Dog Law Enforcement Office is aggressively enforcing the state's dog laws and protecting the well-being of dogs and puppies across the state.

Raid in Pickaway County, Ohio uncovers possible puppy mill
Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office accompanied Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA ) officials to a farm in Tarlton, Ohio Monday morning where approximately 50 dogs were found living in horrible conditions, with cages and water bowls full of feces.

New Md. law cracks down on puppy mills
Many new laws go into effect today in Maryland, including a law to try and prevent puppy mill dogs from ending up in local pet stores.

92 dogs dumped along Texas roads over two nights
"Unfortunately, with a lot of these puppy mill dogs, their feet may have never touched the ground," Brown said. "They could have spent their whole lives in cages."

Event raises awareness for Michigan puppy mills
As the legislators left the Capitol for lunch Tuesday, they were greeted by an unexpected surprise — a parade of puppies and dog enthusiasts circling the building for Michigan Puppy Mill Awareness Day.