New Jersey Proposes Anti Puppy Mill Legislation
Midway in 2006, New Jersey Assemblyman Neil Cohen (D-Union) proposed a comprehensive bill to curtail irresponsible dog breeding, and in particular, puppy mills. So what's happened since then?
Well, first let's see what the proposal was all about. The summary statement of the bill stated that the law had at least two goals. These included to eliminate the market for mass breeding establishments that exhibit poor health conditions and to encourage consumers to purchase cats and dogs from reputable breeders.
The law would assess heavy penalties on pet shops and private breeders who do not comply with Department of Health requirements proposed in the bill. The bill is co-sponsored by Joan Voss (D-Bergen) and would limit the number of dogs or cats that any individual may sell to 25 per year, and would also limit breeding of female cats and dogs to once per year. The bill would also prohibit the breeding of cats or dogs with their own siblings.
Ok. So now you ask again. What happened? Sounds like some good legislation, right? Well, not to professional and commercial breeders. They have voiced their serious concerns about some of the provisions of the bill, especially the limits placed on the number of animals sold in any year. The bill would effectively eliminate puppy mill traffic in New Jersey, which is a primarily fed by puppy mills in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
To encourage passage of the bill or to make suggestions, contact either sponsor at asmcohen@njleg.org or asmvoss@njleg.org.
Well, first let's see what the proposal was all about. The summary statement of the bill stated that the law had at least two goals. These included to eliminate the market for mass breeding establishments that exhibit poor health conditions and to encourage consumers to purchase cats and dogs from reputable breeders.
The law would assess heavy penalties on pet shops and private breeders who do not comply with Department of Health requirements proposed in the bill. The bill is co-sponsored by Joan Voss (D-Bergen) and would limit the number of dogs or cats that any individual may sell to 25 per year, and would also limit breeding of female cats and dogs to once per year. The bill would also prohibit the breeding of cats or dogs with their own siblings.
Ok. So now you ask again. What happened? Sounds like some good legislation, right? Well, not to professional and commercial breeders. They have voiced their serious concerns about some of the provisions of the bill, especially the limits placed on the number of animals sold in any year. The bill would effectively eliminate puppy mill traffic in New Jersey, which is a primarily fed by puppy mills in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
To encourage passage of the bill or to make suggestions, contact either sponsor at asmcohen@njleg.org or asmvoss@njleg.org.
PMW Blog & Articles
