Support Legislation to Regulate the Dog and Cat
Breeding Industry in Minnesota
Too often, Second Chance receives abused and neglected breeding dogs and cats from law enforcement, animal control, breeders themselves, or other nonprofits’ rescue efforts. The animals arrive in varying conditions – so matted they can’t walk, extremely under weight, shy/fearful, fleas, eye & ear infections, never having had human contact, and a variety of other physical and psychological issues that we need to work with in order to help transition them into healthy animals ready for loving adoptive homes.
Legislation has been introduced over the past few years to regulate the dog and cat breeding industry but, unfortunately, has not passed. See below for the history of the bills this past legislative session. But, we and others will be back in 2011 to support legislation to address inhumane dog and cat breeding in Minnesota. If you would like a list of upcoming fairs and events to attend to distribute flyers (see below) in order to educate others, please email stopthesuffering@yahoo.com and ask for that information.
If you would like to be added to a list of Minnesotans who want to take action on the legislation to regulate large breeders, please email stopthesuffering@yahoo.com and ask to be added to the database. You will be alerted when to contact legislators to support the bills.
You can also learn more about the problem and sign a petition at: www.animalfolksmn.org
You can print and distribute the attached flyer to educate people about the need for legislation. Click here (PDF)
History
A bill was introduced in the Minnesota Legislature in 2009 to license, inspect and regulate larger dog and cat breeders. The bill number in the Senate is S.F. 7, authored by Senator Don Betzold, and the bill number in the House is H.F. 253, authored by Representative Tom Tillberry. This is a highly collaborative effort among many diverse animal groups and volunteers, and the bill has a long list of supporting organizations.
It is very important for you to contact your own State Senator and Representative now and ask them to support S.F. 7 (Senator) and H.F. 253 (Representative) and also educate them on what goes on in Minnesota puppy and kitten mills. If you don’t know who your legislator is, go to www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/districtfinder.asp
The Problem
Minnesota is among the top states for mass-produced puppies. Many dogs and cats live out their lives in small, overcrowded wire cages and are bred repeatedly. Their cages are often stacked one on top of the other, allowing feces and urine to fall onto the animals below. Animals may be sick from inadequate food, water and veterinary care, stress, fleas, worms, etc. Many have deformed paws, are severely matted, or are burned from sitting and standing in urine and feces. And, they are rarely, if at all, provided human socialization.
This bill addresses the problem.
While many breeders in Minnesota act responsibly, there are increasing reports of those who keep dogs and cats in deplorable conditions, and who are willing to make a profit at the expense of the animals’ health and wellbeing. These puppies and kittens are sold to the public and many are sick, diseased, and have genetic problems. There is no oversight and there are no state laws covering breeding facilities in Minnesota.
The Solution
S.F. 7/H.F. 253 gives the State of Minnesota the authority to assure that breeders covered under the bill comply with state anticruelty laws. S.F. 7 and H.F. 253 require licensing, inspections and regulation of breeding businesses in Minnesota.
UPDATE – MARCH 9, 2010
S.F. 7 - Heard in Senate Agriculture Committee
AND
Status of S.F. 7 / H.F. 253
S.F. 7/H.F. 253, the Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill bill, were laid on the table ("put on hold") in their respective Agriculture Committees during the 2009 session. In order to move each bill along, we needed a majority vote in each Agriculture Committee to take the bill off the table and continue discussions.
We also needed to meet committee deadlines. (The first policy committee deadline is this Friday, March 12. Bills must pass through all policy committees in either the House or Senate by this date.)
Unfortunately, S.F. 7 did not pass the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing Tuesday, March 9, so committee deadlines were not met.
Time Was Running Out
The lobbying team worked hard meeting with the Agriculture Committee members in both the House and Senate trying to get hearings and secure the votes. The legislators also heard from you, their constituents - calling, emailing and writing them.
The Chair of the House Agriculture Committee (Rep. Otremba) would not grant H.F. 253 a hearing until there was movement in the Senate. But, the Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee (Senator Vickerman) would not grant S.F. 7 a hearing.
So the lobbying team took different action, bypassing the normal way a bill is scheduled and given a hearing. A supportive Agriculture Committee member (Senator Erickson Ropes) was approached and she agreed to make a motion on March 9, 2010 to move S.F. 7 off the table for a hearing. This motion passed by a majority vote, so S.F. 7 was debated in Committee.
The Hearing
Senator Betzold, the author of S.F. 7, gave an overview of the bill. He did an excellent job, as did Keith Streff (humane agent for the Animal Humane Society) who responded to questions from Committee members. The Chair did not allow any other public testimony.
One legislator was very supportive and expressed his reasons. Another legislator was in strong opposition and insisted "the system works as is." One legislator committed to voting yes but changed her vote when it came time to vote. The Chair was not supportive.
When there were no more questions on the bill, a motion was made to vote yes or no on the bill. The Committee vote was 7 to 5 - opposed. The bill failed.
Senate Agriculture Committee
There are 15 members on the Senate Agriculture Committee. Below are the members’ names, phone numbers, and how each voted.
Senator Jim Vickerman (Chair, District 22) 651-296-5650 - NO
Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes (Vice Chair, District 31) 651-296-5649 - YES
Senator Steve Dille (Ranking Minority Member, District 18) 651-296-4131 - NO
Senator Satveer Chaudhary (District 50) 651-296-4334 - NO
Senator Lisa A. Fobbe (District 16) 651-296-8075 - NO
Senator Joe Gimse (District 13) 651-296-3826 - NO
Senator David W. Hann (District 42) 651-296-1749 - PASS (didn't vote)
Senator Bill E. Ingebrigtsen (District 11) 651-297-8063 - NO
Senator Paul E. Koering (District 12) 651-296-4875 - NOT PRESENT
Senator Gary W. Kubly (District 20) 651-296-5094 - YES
Senator Keith Langseth (District 9) 651-296-3205 - YES
Senator Tony Lourey (District 8) 651-296-0293 - YES
Senator Steve Murphy (District 28) 651-296-4264 - YES
Senator Rod Skoe (District 2) 651-296-4196 - NOT PRESENT
Senator Dan Skogen (District 10) 651-296-5655 – NO
Every legislator who sits on the Committee was lobbied - multiple times. Each was (and is) fully aware of the details of the bill and has seen or heard about animal cruelty, consumer fraud, tax evasion, and other issues defining the problem.
As for the opposition, lobbyists for agricultural interests and for the larger breeders also showed up at the committee meeting, as did the NRA lobbyists. They worked hard lobbying committee members. Some small breeders, many of whom were apparently ignorant of the details of the bill, worked hard against it.
Voice Your Opinion
For legislators who voted Yes, please contact them and say Thank You. For those who voted No, consider contacting them and voicing your disappointment (nicely, please).
And, remember how these members voted when YOU vote during this year’s elections. (FYI - Senators Vickerman, Dille and Murphy have announced they will not be running for re-election this year.)
Legislators Heard Us
Petitions, emails, letters and calls in support of S.F. 7/ H.F. 253 have been submitted to all Minnesota legislators by thousands of Minnesota residents. Thank you to everyone for your commitment and hard work. Over 10,000 petitions in support, representing every House and Senate district, were submitted to the respective Representatives and Senators.
Going Forward
Thank you again for being involved and having a voice for the animals. This outcome is very disappointing, but we will not give up and will keep moving forward in 2011. Please do not stop educating people and getting the word out.
