A Crackdown on Puppy and Kitten Mills: New Minnesota Law Takes Huge Step Forward!

Excellent news to come out of Minnesota! Governor Mark of Dayton, Minn., has signed a bill that will help animals kept in cruel conditions by cracking down on abusive puppy and kitten mills. This includes steps to implement increased regulation of commercial puppy and kitten breeding facilities.

According to Animal Folks Minnesota, Minnesotans led the way by working hard for years to pass legislation that would regulate commercial dog and cat breeders as well as to ensure the health and safety of dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens in breeding facilities.

“The Cat and Dog Breeder Regulation Law is a huge step forward. Minnesota is home to some of the largest puppy mills in the country,” said Howard Goldman, Minnesota state director for the Humane Society. “Now law enforcement officers will have the tools they need to stop the abuse at these facilities before it rises to the level of animal cruelty.”

Other recent actions to protect animals happening in Minnesota is the passing of the first ever Beagle Freedom Bill to help lab dogs live normal lives after they are freed from their time suffering in research laboratories instead of being euthanized. Many of these lab dogs are docile beagles.

Some facts about the new Minnesota law, The Cat and Dog Breeder Regulation Law, going into effect July 1, 2014:

• This new law will require commercial dog and cat breeders to get a state license and to submit to annual inspections by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.
• Operators who have been convicted of animal cruelty will not be allowed to obtain a state license.
• Anyone in violation of the law will be subject to administrative and criminal penalties.

A post on Clean Up MN Puppy Mills’s Facebook page reads, “Thank you all for supporting the passage of the puppy mill bill. It has been a long road and many years. We would like to extend our special thanks to Governor Mark Dayton, Representative John Benson, and Shep Harris of Fredrickson & Byron. You rock!”

Green Monsters: Learn more about the things you can do to help stop puppy and kitten mills!

Image source: BD/Flickr