Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Editorial: Protect puppies and people
Virginia officials shouldn't ignore findings of the Humane Society that expose numerous puppy mills. It's time to talk state regulation.
From the RoundTable blog
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The Humane Society of the United States suspects that more than 900 commercial puppy dealers are operating in Virginia, yet fewer than 20 are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
If results of the Humane Society's investigation of numerous illegal puppy mills bear up to scrutiny, then the USDA and Virginia have a huge problem to address.
Virginia does not require dog-breeding kennels to obtain licenses; this should change.
The federal government, charged with regulating commercial dog breeding, has faced wide criticism for failing to put enough people and money into the task. That is unlikely to change even though the trade of puppies often crosses state borders, and the federal government has a broad interest in ensuring that the animals are raised humanely and free of disease.
However, states also bear responsibility for protecting puppies and potential pet owners.
The Humane Society plans to turn over results of its investigation to Gov. Tim Kaine and to other Virginia leaders and veterinarians. It also plans to share its work with the USDA.
In addition to allegations that only 2 percent of those required to obtain licenses have, the report has these startling findings: A breeder with a record of animal cruelty charges was selling hundreds of puppies over the Internet; another breeder has between 500 and 700 caged dogs on premises; pet stores were buying puppies younger than the law requires; sick puppies were sold at cheaper prices to "unload them," and many facilities failed to provide food, water and shelter to the dogs.
State and federal officials need to review the Humane Society's work and then take action.
The USDA should crack down on the illegal puppy mills and either force them out of business or into compliance. Congress should close loopholes that allow commercial breeders to skirt licensing laws by selling over the Internet.
Virginia officials should consider requiring commercial breeders to obtain state licenses.
Virginians who protest that this would add costly regulations and yet another layer of government should reconsider. Application fees could offset the cost of the additional bureaucracy needed to push the paperwork and, more important, to inspect the kennels periodically.
Besides, Virginians already pay dearly to maintain animal shelters that are forced to euthanize 43,000 dogs each year. Where do they think those dogs come from?
