Minnetonka State Rep: 'Time is now for Puppy Mill Law'

To the editor:

In February I a bill, HF 388 that would stop the unconscionable treatment of dogs and cats by unregulated puppy mills. We’ve heard far too many stories of animals being mistreated by breeders motivated more by profit than the well-being of the pets. These bad players are called puppy mill operators.

We inspect our cattle breeders to ensure their animals are healthy, but we allow pet breeders to self-regulate themselves. This has created a huge loophole in the process and allowed our state to become a magnet for puppy mills. My bill would require puppy mill breeders to register with the state and then have the Animal Board of Health conduct yearly inspections and mandate veterinarian checks. Reasonable state oversight of pet breeding operations will require adequate housing, food, and good practices.

The funding to start the regulation process at the Animal Board of Health would be paid for by private companies, not costing taxpayers a dime. In fact, the bill would actually create revenue for the state by requiring puppy mills to finally comply with state sales tax. Unregulated puppy mills would no longer be able to skirt the tax law, preventing them from shortchanging the state and holding an unfair advantage over legitimate breeders. Future costs would be covered through modest registration fees on breeders.

If you want this bill to become law, I need your help. Contact organizations like Animal Ark, or other animal welfare groups and get involved. I’m currently trying to get a hearing for the bill in the House Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance Committee. If you agree that we need to end the abuse of animals by puppy mills, contact legislators around the state and the members of House Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance Committee. Urge them to hold hearings in committee and support HF 388.

Sincerely,

John Benson

State Representative

District 43B- Minnetonka