Legislation prohibiting sale of puppy mill animals introduced to state House

May 24—Legislation aimed at stopping the sale of puppy mill animals to pet stores was recently introduced in the state House of Representatives.

Known as Victoria's Law, House Bill 1299 would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores throughout Pennsylvania unless sourced from shelters and rescues.

Todd Hevner, executive director of the SPCA of Luzerne County, called the proposed legislation a "grand step" in continuing to improve the protection for animal welfare.

"As a shelter professional and pet parent myself, I believe that the population of abandoned, neglected and too often abused animals residing in our shelters throughout our state need the support and advocacy of our government in order to stop the cycle of underground breeders and puppy mills that are so prolific in our state," Hevner said.

Last year, the Standard-Speaker revealed that the Petables Puppy Boutique in the Laurel Mall had been acquiring dogs from out-of-state breeding facilities. A handful of owners came forward, saying their pups were severely ill.

County SPCA wardens were called to investigate the store's conditions on multiple occasions but found no violations. Since then, Hevner said the SPCA received no more calls about Petables Puppy Boutique.

Nevertheless, Hevner said the law will begin to shift the pet store market toward more human sources such as shelters and rescues.

"By slowing the demand for puppies the commercial puppy mill industry will be confronted with a lack of demand from their animals, thus slowing the need and hopefully eliminate this undesirable, inhumane and unacceptable industry," Hevner said.

State Reps. Tracy Pennycuick, R-Montgomery, and Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh, announced their introduction of the bill outside the Montgomery County SPCA in Perkiomenville.

"Dogs are intelligent, perceptive animals that have the ability to improve our lives in countless ways, whether as a service or working dog, or as a family pet," said Pennycuick, a veteran who has a service dog to help with PTSD. "These animals deserve to be treated with kindness and dignity, which is what Victoria's Law is all about."

The bill is named after a German Shepherd that was rescued from a puppy mill after 10 years of breeding. By the time she was rescued, Victoria was paralyzed as the result of a genetic, neurological disorder that she passed down to the estimated 150-200 puppies she produced while at the puppy mill.

"It's time to hold irresponsible breeders accountable for the added and unknown financial risks consumers face due to overbreeding and poor veterinary care," McNeill said.

Hevner noted that the state regulates shelters, rescues and the many other animal welfare organizations. That oversight, he said, ensures that animals are treated in a humane way.

On the flip side, the state doesn't have much say in what happens at other pet facilities.

"Pennsylvania falls short in the legislative oversight of pet stores, the sale of and transfer of animals through these establishments and as a result the cycle of puppy mills and underground breeders continues to add to the overpopulation of the very domestic animals who seek haven in and fill our shelters every year," Hevner said.

The legislation is supported by the Humane Society of the United States.

As the Humane Society's public policy director for puppy mills, Amy Jesse has been working closely with the society's Pennsylvania director, advocates and lawmakers on Victoria's Law for years.

The society helped passed ordinances in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in 2015 and 2016, respectively, that prohibited the sale of commercially raised dogs and cats. In 2017, legislators wanting similar laws for all of Pennsylvania contacted the society.

"This policy is extremely popular with Pennsylvanians but keeps getting stuck in the legislative process, a likely result of pet stores and their lobbyists distorting the truth about the impact the bill would have," Jesse said.

Mirror legislation is currently before the Pennsylvania Senate. Jesse said the society is urging the passage because it's the right thing for animals and consumers.

"Documentation shows that Pennsylvania pet stores source primarily from cruel puppy mills that treat mother dogs as nothing more than breeding machines and puppies as nothing more than products. And, consumer complaints show that pet stores are duping consumers into supporting puppy mills, selling sick puppies, and offering lending options that many consider predatory," Jesse explained.

Hevner noted that the law will also introduce a requirement mandating that any licensed breeders be required to list their federal, state and local license and contact information in any advertising. The step will step will provide consumers with the information necessary to conduct own research on licensed kennels and identify those who are "underground" or otherwise operating outside of the law, he said.

That way, he explained, consumers will be able to make an informed decision on the breeders they choose to do business with.

"This proposed bill has the ability to begin to address an industry that is outdated, inhumane and no longer accepted by the vast majority of residents in our great state. Licensed breeders operating within the law, I would hope vocally support this bill as they are not being targeted, It is the unlicensed, underground, puppy mill breeders who ultimately soil the names of those who operate within the law," Hevner said.

"Every pet parent, animal welfare advocate and animal lover should vocally support this legislative initiative to help move our community toward a more humane caring society that respects and values the lives of the animals we choose to share our lives with."

Contact the writer: jwhalen@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3592.