Paws and Reflect: Puppy Mills Finally Hit the Radar Screen in Washington!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Column by: Mary "Tief" Tiefenbrunn


Finally! The truth about USDA licensed dog breeders and lax enforcement of animal welfare laws at puppy mills is being revealed and acknowledged by officials -- and thanks to Senators Dick Durbin and David Vitter, there is at least some hope that something will be done.

Yesterday, news broke of the Inspector General’s review of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the agency responsible for inspecting USDA licensed dog breeders to enforce the Animal Welfare Act. The report illustrates the agency’s "leniency towards violators, the ineffectiveness of its enforcement process and the harmful effect they had on the animals.”

Our own Senator Durbin says: “This report raises serious concerns about APHIS’ ability to enforce the law, ensure the welfare of animals, and crack down on the most negligent and irresponsible dog breeders.”

Durbin promises to make sure that changes at the USDA address the problems identified in the IG’s report. In addition, Durbin and Vitter have introduced the Puppy Uniform Protection Statute (PUPS) – which closes the loop hole that allows large-scale breeders who sell dogs over the internet to escape regulation, and requires commercial breeders to provide breeding dogs with 60 minutes of daily exercise.

I know full well that we’re still a long wayfrom ending the horrors of puppy mills. But this is encouraging. I can’t tell you how happy it made me to wake up this morning and see a headline like this one: “USDA Lax in Enforcing Laws Against Oklahoma Puppy Mills.” We’ve been saying it for years. Thank you, Senators Durbin and Vitter, for listening. And thank you, Inspector General, for doing your job.