legislation > Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill

The Dog and Cat Breeder Bill, also known as the Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill, was introduced in the Minnesota Senate by Senator Don Betzold and in the Minnesota House by Representative Tom Tillberry. (Co-authors are listed below.)

The bill number in the Senate is S.F. 7. The bill number in the House is H.F. 253.

S.F. 7/H.F. 253 did not pass during the 2009 MN legislature session (see follow the vote); however, with your help, it will pass in 2010.

To view S.F. 7 and H.F. 253 (S.F. = Senate File; H.F. = House File), please click on:

• S.F. No. 7, as introduced, Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill     
• H.F. No. 253, 1st Engrossment, Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill  

AUTHOR AND CO-AUTHORS OF S.F. 7 (Betzold)

• Sen. Don Betzold (author, S.F. 7)
• Sen. Katie Sieben (co-author)
• Sen. John Marty (co-author)

AUTHOR AND CO-AUTHORS OF H.F. 253 (Tillberry)

• Rep. Tom Tillberry (author, H.F. 253)
• Rep. Frank Hornstein (co-author)
• Rep. Michael Paymar (co-author)
• Rep. Mary Murphy (co-author)
• Rep. Steve Smith (co-author)
• Rep. Minda Greiling (co-author)
• Rep. Jerry Newton (co-author)
• Rep. Philip Sterner (co-author)
• Rep. Linda Slocum (co-author)
• Rep. Erin Murphy (co-author)
• Rep. Karla Bigham (co-author)
• Rep. Carolyn Laine (co-author)
• Rep. Leon Lille (co-author)
• Rep. Paul Rosenthal (co-author)
• Rep. Kate Knuth (co-author)
• Rep. Jeff Hayden (co-author)

HIGHLIGHTS OF LEGISLATION: S.F. 7/H.F. 253  MN Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill

The intent of the Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill is to protect dogs, cats, puppies and kittens from inhumane breeding practices and conditions by giving the state of Minnesota the authority to license and regulate the dog and cat breeding industry in Minnesota.

For a better understanding of inhumane dog and cat breeding, go to issue or resources.

Please note: Senate File 7 and House File 253 are companion bills. Both were introduced with the same language; however, language for each can (and did) change based on amendments offered by House or Senate committees.

Key highlights of this legislation include:

• Licensing
Requires dog and cat breeders in Minnesota to be licensed (not small or hobby breeders).

REASONING: There is no licensing of dog and cat breeders by the State of Minnesota. As a result, the State does not and cannot know if animals in breeding facilities are properly cared for.

ALSO: The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), per the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), does license some breeders — those with more than three intact females who sell wholesale. Note the word 'wholesale' — breeders who sell directly to consumers through websites, parking lots or classified ads are not required to be licensed by the USDA. This is a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act, considering the fact that many breeders are now using websites. It's also another reason for State licensing of dog and cat breeders.

• Inspections
Gives the State of Minnesota the authority to conduct annual inspections of dog and cat breeding facilities, including USDA-licensed facilities and totally unregulated facilities.

NOTE: The majority of breeders in Minnesota are not licensed by the USDA and are completely unregulated. There are approximately 220 USDA-licensed facilities throughout Minnesota, of which approximately 62 breed and/or broker dogs and cats. This represents a small fraction of the total dog/cat breeder population in Minnesota. In addition to breeders, these USDA-licensed facilities include zoos, animal exhibitors (i.e. petting zoos), research laboratories, circuses and animals transported via commercial airlines. There are 2.5 USDA inspectors to inspect all 220 facilities. Due to limited staffing, the number of inspections are infrequent. Also, as stated above, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) only licenses and inspects breeders who sell to pet stores, not directly to the public through the Internet, classified ads, parking lots or other means. Commercial breeders are aware of this loophole. Since 2006, many breeders/brokers in Minnesota have chosen not to re-new or apply for a USDA license, so avoiding inspection altogether.

REASONING: This bill will close the AWA loophole. It will allow for state inspectors and state inspections of all USDA-licensed and non-USDA-licensed breeders (except "hobby breeders") by the State of Minnesota.

• Standards

Requires breeders to comply with existing laws and regulations, and puts in place additional standards that are lacking in existing law.

REASONING: Points to existing law and regulations for use in inspections and enforcement. Also adds additional standards, such as adequate staff, daily socialization, identification and tracking of each animal, and not hiring anyone who has been convicted of animal cruelty, which are missing from current law.

• Enforcement
Gives oversight to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health ("BAH").

REASONING: Currently, the State of Minnesota has no authority to regulate the dog and cat breeding industry, which would include the ability to license, hire inspectors, and enforce breeding and care standards. This bill gives the BAH that authority and closes the enforcement gap.  

• Funding

Provides funding to the Board of Animal Health through licensing and registration fees.

REASONING: Provides a revenue source for operation of the regulatory program, including registration fees, annual licensing and a specified amount of $50,000 in donations to start the program.

• Penalties
Imposes civil, administrative and criminal penalties for breaking the law.

REASONING: This bill creates misdemeanors for specific violations committed by unscrupulous or negligent dog and cat breeders.