 |
| Two bills under consideration by New York’s Legislature would ban pet stores from buying dogs that sell more than 75 dogs per year. |
Two bills under consideration by New York’s Legislature would ban pet stores from buying dogs from what it calls “puppy mills” – any facility that sells more than 75 dogs per year.
According to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) of Washington, D.C., the bills were introduced last year but with the term “puppy farm” rather than “puppy mill.” The latter is a phrase frequently used by animal rights and welfare groups.
“Although the legislation is ostensibly intended to address conditions in substandard facilities, there is no correlation between the size and quality of a facility,” PIJAC wrote in a Pet Alert. “This amendment brings new meaning to this legislation, essentially calling puppy dealers/breeder businesses ‘puppy mills,’ even those maintaining the highest standards of care for their animals.”
The pet industry advocate association said it continues to work with the bill’s original sponsor, Senator Andrew Lanza of District 24.
The Senate bill (5608) passed favorably out of a committee and now awaits further action from the Senate. The Assembly companion bill, however, was assigned to the Committee on Economic Development, and no hearing has been set at this time. <HOME>
Posted March 27, 2008, 6:00 p.m., EST