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House Farm Bill Promotes Commercial Dog Breeding - National Humane Education Society

Paws Down!
May 22, 2018

To proponents of the House Farm Bill that would stop U.S. states from passing laws barring the sale of commercially-bred puppies.

According to a recent news article, the U.S. House of Representatives have included an amendment in the bill written by

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) that would bar states from creating laws that would regulate agricultural products (i.e. puppies) manufactured (i.e. bred) or offered for sale in other states. For instance, California and Maryland recently passed laws restricting the sale of puppies and kittens born in large-scale, commercial breeding operations. Puppies offered for sale may have been transported from puppy mills anywhere in the U.S. If passed, the Farm Bill would stop states from outlawing the sale animals bred in inhumane conditions.

Take action. U.S. residents, contact your representatives and urge them to remove Rep. Steve King’s amendment from the farm bill. Feel free to use NHES’ sample action letter below.

Puppy mills maximize profits by minimizing expenses, at the ultimate expense of the animals they breed.

Re: Remove Rep. Steve King’s amendment to farm bill

Dear Representative [Last Name],

I am writing you to respectfully urge you to vote against aspects of the farm bill that promote large-scale commercial dog breeding. Particularly, I humbly ask that you advocate for the removal of GOP Rep. Steve Kings’ amendment that would preempt states from passing laws that ban or restrict the sale of puppies bred in puppy mills.

Unfortunately, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), enforced by the USDA-APHIS, is the only federal law that stipulates standards of care for dogs and puppies in large scale puppy farms. Even licensed, USDA-inspected breeding operations can fit the definition of what many of us would consider a puppy mill. For example, the AWA allows breeders to keep dogs stacked in cages with only 6 inches of space on either side of the animal and there are no limitations on how many times a female can be bred. For the residents and leaders of many states, this is not acceptable. California and Maryland, and the leaders of many U.S. cities have already banned the sale of mass-bred puppies. The Farm Bill should not preempt state governments from passing laws to restrict the sales of animals bred in inhumane conditions. Thank you for considering my thoughts.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]

 

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17 responses to “House Farm Bill Promotes Commercial Dog Breeding”

  1. Kim Daum says:

    Puppy mills are cruel and should not be allowed to operate. Please work to remove Rep. Steve King’s amendment to the farm bill.

  2. Sherry Ochoa-Rounkles says:

    Please don’t move our country backwards in humanity!

  3. Pam Richards says:

    Puppy Mills should be outlawed m. No good comes from breeding that way. It’s brutal and I Humane.

  4. Rhonda Campbell says:

    Why would anyone on their right mind propose such a ridiculous law!?!?!?

  5. Lenore Mangan says:

    This bill must be defeated. The puppy mills are cruel and create untold suffering to these poor animals to add to the coffers of greedy evil peoole. Vote NO!!

  6. MICHAEL MCCARTIN says:

    Please vote to remove the King Amendment from the pending Farm bill

  7. Donna Marie Fischetto says:

    There are many dogs for adoption, there is no need to have puppy mills treating dogs inhumanely by pumping out puppies, litter after litter in horrible conditions to make plenty of money…most undeserved.
    Why would you allow puppy mills to continue??? Please visit these facilities, see for yourself and then you may consider closing them down for good!

  8. Brigitte Laffitte says:

    Remove Steve King’s Amendment. Puppy Mills have been a place of horror for animals. The animals have no defense. The owners operate for greed not for humane objectives.

  9. Adair Leonard says:

    Puppy mills must be banned for the sake of puppies’ welfare. Being confined to puppy mills is a horrible way for innocent puppies to begin their lives. Please have compassion for them, and remove Rep. Steve King’s amendment to farm bill.

  10. Charlotte Leigh Burns says:

    Please, please help to stop this madness of way too many dogs!! It is a constant drain, and so cruel!!

  11. Christina Hamilothoris says:

    There are so many animals to be adopted. Please consider banning puppy mills.

  12. Too often, animals that come from “puppy mills” are not healthy. Neither is the mother. Those who are deemed “unfit” to be sold in stores are usually “cast aside” (literally) and don’t have the chance to live with a loving family. With all the animals currently waiting in shelters, there is really no need for any more breeding of animals. If breeders are insistent on continuing to populate the animal kingdom, it should be up to each state to enact and enforce those laws which would ensure that all animals sold are healthy, including the “parents”.

  13. CYNTHIA COMBS-BREIDENBACH says:

    the LIVES of ANIMALS are at stake here!!!
    ANIMALS were not put on EARTH for human entertainment!!!

  14. Kim Venturo says:

    Very bad precedent. Animals have few enough protections as it is. They need MORE. Not LESS.

  15. Shelley Bobb says:

    Please vote against large scale commercial dog breeding.

  16. Saskia says:

    Please remove Rep. Steve King’s amendment from the farm bill. If it passed, the farm bill would stop states from outlawing the sale animals bred in inhumane conditions.

  17. Jodi Fernandez says:

    Dear Representative Loebsack

    I am writing you to respectfully urge you to vote against aspects of the farm bill that promote large-scale commercial dog breeding. Particularly, I humbly ask that you advocate for the removal of GOP Rep. Steve Kings’ amendment that would preempt states from passing laws that ban or restrict the sale of puppies bred in puppy mills.

    Unfortunately, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), enforced by the USDA-APHIS, is the only federal law that stipulates standards of care for dogs and puppies in large scale puppy farms. Even licensed, USDA-inspected breeding operations can fit the definition of what many of us would consider a puppy mill. For example, the AWA allows breeders to keep dogs stacked in cages with only 6 inches of space on either side of the animal and there are no limitations on how many times a female can be bred. For the residents and leaders of many states, this is not acceptable. California and Maryland, and the leaders of many U.S. cities have already banned the sale of mass-bred puppies. The Farm Bill should not preempt state governments from passing laws to restrict the sales of animals bred in inhumane conditions. Thank you for considering my thoughts.

    Sincerely,
    Jodi Fernandez

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