A recent statewide survey by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc.
reveals that 86 percent of
Iowa voters
support legislation that would strengthen protections for dogs in
large-scale breeding facilities known as puppy mills, while only 9 percent
oppose tougher regulations. Overwhelming
margins in every demographic group — men, women, Democrats, Republicans and
Independents — support legislation to crack down on puppy mills. 
Iowa is the third-largest puppy mill
state in the country.

Bills to strengthen Iowa's oversight of puppy mills — H.F. 486 [click here for text] by Rep. Jim Lykam, D-85, and S.F. 265 [click here for text] by veterinarian Sen. Joe Seng,
D-43 — have been introduced and are awaiting committee action. Puppy mills
are mass dog breeding facilities that keep animals in factory farm confinement, often in
filthy wire cages stacked on top of each other, with no exercise,
socialization, or human interaction. Dogs from puppy mills are sold in pet
stores, over the Internet, and directly to consumers with little or no
regard for the dog's health or genetic history.

Currently, the U.S. Department of Agriculture licenses and inspects some
puppy mills, but only those that sell wholesale to pet stores — not those
that sell over the Internet or directly to the public. Iowa
is one of only two states (along with
Kansas ) where state officials are not able to inspect these puppy mills, even if
complaints have been reported. The new legislation would give
the Iowa Department of Agriculture the authority to inspect these
facilities if they receive complaints.

The bill would not affect responsible breeders, who already keep their dogs
in humane conditions, or the livestock community. It also will not require
the Iowa Department of Agriculture to spend any additional resources, but
simply will give the agency additional tools for pursuing investigations
and enforcement if they choose to do so.

Thanks also to John Carlson, The Des
Moines Register, for
calling attention to the issue and laying out the situation as it exists in
Iowa . You
can thank him via e-mail at:  jcarlson@dmreg.com right after you contact your legislators.

The Des Moines Register
 
by JOHN CARLSON

There are 486 dog-breeding facilities in
Iowa licensed by the USDA, all acting as
wholesalers, selling dogs to pet stores and brokers. They house tens of
thousands of dogs.

Three USDA employees are assigned to inspect them. That's about 160 facilities
per inspector. Robert Gibbens, regional director of the USDA animal
inspection division, said it is a nearly impossible job.

A bill in the Iowa Legislature would allow state inspectors into these
places for the first time.
“The new law would allow state inspectors to take a look at federally
licensed facilities if a complaint is filed,” said Rep. Jim Lykam,
D-Davenport, a sponsor of the bill.

“If they find a problem, they could call the USDA. If they see
violations of the law, they could call the sheriff and ask that criminal
charges be filed.

“Responsible breeders have nothing to worry about,” Lykam said.

This is especially important now because we are just a few days before this
session of the Iowa Legislature adjourns for the year.  Word is, the
bill is going nowhere. It has not met deadlines to advance beyond the
committee level. But Lykam was optimistic, and there are plenty of ways to
revive bills, so anything could happen.

A “no” vote would be hard for a legislator to explain.

Our legislators can
take a tiny step to do something about it this week.  They can pass a
bill that allows state inspections of these hideous places we have chosen
to ignore.

**BFIA ACTION ALERT**

Copy/paste this action alert into an
e-mail and pass on, then please

contact your
legislators TODAY –  RIGHT NOW