AL Legislators Vote “No” to Protect Puppies From Cruel Breeding - National Humane Education Society

Paws Down!

To the Alabama Legislators who voted against a bill that would have created the Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission. The Commission would have been charged with the licensing and inspection of high volume dog and cat breeders.

Puppy mills and backyard breeders operate with impunity across the United States.  Because care requirements are so meager under the Animal Welfare Act, the sole federal law that is supposed to regulate dog breeding, some puppy mills are even registered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Even after receiving numerous citations by the USDA, puppy mills are rarely shut down. Animal breeders, pet store owners, and online brokers of pets never admit to “puppy milling.” Puppy mills have proven difficult to root out in the United States.

According to a recent news article,  a new bill in Alabama, nicknamed “Atti’s Law,”  designed to stamp out puppy mills in Alabama was recently killed in the legislature. Bills HB45/SB17 would have implemented statewide oversight of commercial dog and cat breeders that sell more than 35 animals per year. Inspections and licensing would have been conducted by a newly-created Alabama Dog and Cat Breeders Commission. While some legislators supported the measure, several others, listed below, voted against Atti’s Law. Because of their “no” votes, there were not sufficient votes to reach the governor’s desk for signature into law.

The bill was sponsored by Alabama Senator Patricia Dunn (D) of District 19 and was led by attorney Angie Hubbard Ingram and Allison Black Cornelius, CEO of Greater Birmingham Humane Society, who plan to re-introduce the bill in the 2018 legislative session in Alabama.

Take action. Alabama residents, thank  Senator Priscilla Dunn (D) District 19, who sponsored the bill in the 2017 legislative session and ask that she continue here support of Atti’s Law. You may also contact legislators listed below who voted against “Atti’s Law” and respectfully express your disappointment that the bill did not pass. Urge each representative to support the measure in the 2018 legislative session.

Senator Clay Scofield – Blount, DeKalb, Madison and Marshall
1-334-242-7876
Clay.scofield@alsenate.gov

                       Re:  Atti’s Law

Dear {Name of Legislator}:

My name is {Your Name} and I am a concerned resident writing to share my thoughts on the legislature’s recent failure to pass “Atti’s Law” which would have provided greater oversight of commercial dog breeders in Alabama. Puppy mill operations are rampant in the state of Alabama and are not only gruesome in their mistreatment of animals, but also create a financial burden on animal control units and animal shelters. Consumers, who may pay out hundreds of dollars for a dog, also suffer when their purchased animal is found to have severe or fatal health problems resulting from inhumane breeding conditions. Atti’s Law would have been a step in the right direction to curb these issues in Alabama. I am disappointed that this bill did not have your support in the 2017 legislative session. I hope you will reconsider your current position, and give this bill the support it deserves next year. 

Respectfully,

{Your Name}