More on the Ohio Puppy Mill Bill

Excerpt from an email received yesterday....

Dear Ohio Dog Friends,

Thanks for your support over the last 2 years of working on the Puppy Mill Bill. We are hopeful the next few weeks will bring us to the finish line and passing of the bill.

As with all legislation, we have negotiated language so that all interested parties can come to a middle ground on which we pass the bill. The team of authors and the many hundreds of people who contributed valuable feedback to the language has given us a bill that will regulate the high volume kennels with minimum standards of care of clean food/water, clean living conditions and veterinary care.

If you review language that other states are proposing, you will likely agree that Ohio has the best approach. Have we pleased every breeder or rescue person, no, but we have created a law that targets the high volume kennels who are most often the most grievous offenders. Reputable breeders far exceed the minimum standards outlined in the bill.

One issue that has come up with the Senators and Representatives is the question of state vs local control. As many of us have experienced for years now, we know local control of puppy mills is a challenge for many reasons.

Local dog wardens are extremely busy with running their shelter. Adding inspections and enforcement of standards to their plate will be a burden. And, we all know that giving several very problematic counties in Ohio, that kind of authority will be much like the fox guarding the hen house. Local control is also an issue because we are challenged by local prosecutors who refuse to take dog issues seriously, county commissioners who argue they don’t have the resources to take care for humans, let alone giving dogs anything beyond food and shelter and judges who have human case loads that will take months to resolve. State level regulation and enforcement is the most pragmatic approach to this state wide issue.

Please email the House Committee Members listed below to let them know you are watching what happens on May 22nd and you want State Level enforcement to protect the dogs who are used to generate millions of dollars in income in Ohio. Tell them we are tired of being mentioned in National media as one of the worst states in the country. The Buck stops with them to make a decision that most Ohio citizens find simple. Protect the dogs abused and neglected in high volume kennels in Ohio.

We are scheduled for a hearing in the House on Thursday, May 22nd at 9:30am. We will be in Room 122, (William Howard Taft Rm)

We would like to show our Ohio Legislator’s how many people care about this issue. Please attend this hearing wearing your Red to show your support of the Puppy Mill Bill.

For the Dogs,
Kellie
ColumbusDogConnection.com