On January 1, 2010, Public Law 111 (formerly known as House Bill 1468 and Senate Bill 238) went into effect. Public Law 111 upgrades penalties for animal abuse as well as impose reasonable standards of care on commercial dog breeders commonly known as “puppy mills.” To see a copy of the Board of Aniaml Health's new regulations for Indiana's commercial breeders, click here
Because of Public Law 111 Minimum standards of care are now required and current breeders have a stake in ensuring that their industry is one with integrity by registering and paying fees to help fund enforcement. These conditions, however, do not go far enough. As one of the nation's weakest anti-cruelty laws, it does not protect the consumer by allowing purchasers to return sick or defective pets to the seller. This law does not limit the number of dogs a kennel could produce (sustaining the 'cash crop' that puppies have become to large commercial breeders) and the frequency with which a female could be bred (a major health risk if breeding frequency is excessive) among many other limitations and loopholes. Ultimately, the bill that passed was stripped of many essential provisions that would have truly protected our canine companions. As consumers and animal advocates , we have the power to stop the cruel cycle of animal abuse perpetuated by puppy mills!
Even with the enactment of the new bill, puppy mills are completely legal and dogs are suffering. We need to continue in our efforts to fight this huge enterprise on all levels, which brings us to the current legislative session. Please click on "2010 Session Information" for the most updated information on HB 1258, introduced in the Indiana House by Representative Linda Lawson to regulate pet stores and to increase animal fighting penalties. ___________________________________________________________________________________
2009 Legislative Victory!
Summary of HB 1468 (2009)
(divided into two sections: one on puppy mills and one on animal abuse and neglect)
Commercial Dog Breeder Regulations (applies to those who have more than 20 unspayed female dogs):
-Will have to pay an annual registration fee ranging from $75 if they have fewer than 50 unspayed adult female dogs to $500 if they have more than 250 female dogs able to be bred.
-Dog brokers who sell 500 or more dogs a year must also register and pay a $1,000 fee. (Previously we have had no way of knowing how many puppy mills are out there and where they are.)
-The fees will be used to pay for inspections and enforcement.
-All commercial dog breeders must comply with USDA standards (currently only those who sell wholesale – i.e. to pet stores – are under USDA regulations. USDA regulations are very bare bone restrictions, however it is a start.
In addition to USDA regulations, the bill includes these three requirements: “A commercial dog breeder:
*may not house a dog in a cage containing a wire floor unless the cage contains an accommodation that allows the dog to be off the wire floor;
*who houses a dog in a wire cage shall house the dog in a cage that is large enough to allow for reasonable movement by the dog; and
*shall provide every dog with reasonable opportunity for exercise at least one time per day.”
The language in these three stipulations has been watered down greatly from Rep. Lawson’s original version. These are just things that we will need to work on next year. It may take a year for our lawmakers to realize that an Amish breeder’s idea of “reasonable” is very different from the majority of Hoosiers! However, until then, it is ultimately up to a judge to decide what is “reasonable”.
In an unfortunate, yet unavoidable blow to the locals, after 12/09, local units (cities, towns) may not adopt any ordinances regulating puppy mills that are more stringent than what is in the bill. For those of you who live in communities without any ordinances regarding puppy mills, we would highly encourage you to take a look at this & try to get something on the books prior to 12/09. Anything on the books prior to 12/09 will be grandfathered in. We can direct you to people who can help you with this.
Animal Abuse and Neglect Additions:
- Cruelty & neglect (previously Class B misdemeanors) are now Class A misdemeanors & become a Class D felony on the second offense.
- Killing a domestic animal is a Class D felony (currently nothing)
- a dog fighting contest is a Class D felony if you have a prior unrelated conviction
The rest is copied and pasted directly from the bill. The light print is what was already on the books. The bold print is what was added this year.
"Neglect" means: to:
(A) endangering an animal's health by failing to provide or arrange to provide the animal with food or drink, if the animal is dependent upon the person for the provision of food or drink; or
(B) restraining an animal for more than a brief period in a manner that endangers the animal's life or health by the use of a rope, chain, or tether that:
(i) is less than three (3) times the length of the animal;
(ii) is too heavy to permit the animal to move freely; or
(iii) causes the animal to choke;
C) restraining an animal in a manner that seriously endangers the animal's life or health;
(D) failing to:
(i) provide reasonable care for; or
(ii) seek veterinary care for;
an injury or illness to a dog or cat that seriously endangers the life or health of the dog or cat; or
(E) leaving a dog or cat outside and exposed to:
(i) excessive heat without providing the animal with a means of shade from the heat; or
(ii) excessive cold if the animal is not provided with straw or another means of protection from the cold regardless of whether the animal is restrained or kept in a kennel.
To read the bill in it’s entirety, please go here
