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legislation > other states
Below are a few actions taken by other states in regards to animal protection issues (related to breeder laws and/ or dog and cat issues).
OVERVIEW
SPECIFIC STATES
• Colorado
• Iowa Des Moines Register: Crackdown on Iowa Puppy mills will be bipartisan effort "A 10-member study committee voted unanimously to recommend the Iowa legislature authorize state inspectors to inspect federally-licensed breeders when they get complaints. To pay for the state's higher inspection costs, lawmakers should increase registration fees for breeders, which has been $20 for 22 years, the committee said. Making veterinarians "mandatory reporters" of animal abuse and neglect is another idea the Legisalture should consider, committee members decided. And state officials should investigate whether Iowa should be capturing more sales taxes from dog sales."
• Massachusetts The Massachusetts Legislature is considering a bill (H. 344) to ban devocalization -- cutting a dog's or cat's vocal cords to suppress his voice. This bill is sponsored by the all-volunteer Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, and is endorsed by Boston's Angell Animal Medical Center and animal shelters statewide. More than 200 Massachusetts veterinarians have taken an ethical stand in support of the bill; Mass. Veterinary Medical Association has aligned with the breeding communtiy to oppose it. This convenience surgery (devocalization or debarking) renders the animal mute or chronically hoarse, wheezy or shrill. Long-term risks include breathing problems, persistent gagging and coughing, difficulty swallowing or even death, regardless of the veterinarian's skill or how vocal cords are cut (through the oral cavity or a neck incision). Because tissue regrowth is common, the animal may be subjected to the pain and stress of repeated surgeries.
Stella was devocalized, then dumped by an AKC breeder. Her adopter spent $1,500 to correct scar tissue that obstructed 50% of Stella's airway. Many people are unaware of devocalization or how common it is: Unlike cropped ears or docked tails, severed vocal cords aren't visible. Some breeders devocalize routinely to run their businesses without complaints from neighbors or because they don't want to hear their own animals bark. This inhumane practice does not benefit the animal. Devocalized dogs and cats are abandoned and surrendered just like any other. Further information about devocalization:
• North Carolina Pertaining to hoarders: Read ALDF v. Woodley (in North Carolina). Per the ALDF website and this case: "In most states, a prosecutor must be the one to bring charges against animal hoarders for committing acts of cruelty to animals. But a unique North Carolina provision, the 19A Statute, which ALDF used in this unprecedented lawsuit against the Woodleys, allows any private citizen of organization to bring civil charges against abusers for violating animal cruelty laws. ALDF has drafted a Model Law or a Private Right of Action.
• Oregon In 2009, the Oregon Legislature approved new regulations for dog breeders, banning operations with more than 50 breeding dogs.
• Pennsylvania In 2008, Pennsylvania passed puppy mill legislation (HB2525). For details and commentary, go to:
• Virginia In 2008, Virginia became the first state to pass a law limiting the number of adult dogs a commercial breeder may possess at any one time (that limit is 50). HSUS (May 5, 2008): The Story Behind Virginia's Historic Puppy Mill Legislation "Virginia has made history by becoming the first state to limit the size of commercial dog breeding operations to prevent them from becoming inhumane "puppy mills." By capping the total number of dogs a breeder can keep for breeding, the new law will help address the growing puppy mill crisis facing the nation. The new law makes it illegal for any commercial breeder to maintain more than 50 dogs who are more than a year old."
• Washington Associated Press (Oct. 11, 2009): State lawmakers approve crackdown on puppy mills "The Washington state legislature has approved a measure cracking down on dog breeders who operate puppy mills. Under the bill, dog breeders and owners would be barred from owning more than 50 dogs over six months old that are not neutered or spayed. Anyone who has more than 10 unaltered dogs that spend most of their time in pens must house the dogs in clean and dry conditions. Dogs would have to be provided with food, water and exercise. Retail pet stores, veterinary facilities, boarding facilities and some others would be exempt."
• Wisconsin In 2010, Wisconsin passed its Dog and Cat Breeder Licensure bill into law. For details, go to the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project.
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