Animal Advocates Praise Texas Senate for Passage of Puppy Mill Bill
Animal welfare advocates including Texas Humane Legislation Network, the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and The Humane Society of the United States applaud the Texas state Senate for passing a bill to provide state oversight of large-scale commercial breeding facilities, known as puppy mills. House Bill 1451, sponsored by Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D, Houston, and championed in the Senate by Sen. John Whitmire, D, Houston, is now one step away from the Governor’s desk, pending House approval of changes made in the Senate.
HB 1451 establishes licensing and inspection of dog and cat breeders who maintain 11 or more female breeding animals and sell twenty or more animals per year. The bill also establishes minimum standards for the humane handling, care, housing and transportation of dogs and cats by breeder.
“Dogs in Texas’ worst breeding facilities have suffered behind closed doors for far too long,” said Monica Hardy of THLN. “This bill will finally ensure that dogs are seen both by inspectors and by veterinarians. It will protect dogs from the very worst of the types of abuses typical to inhumane puppy mills.
"This is a huge step forward for protecting man’s best friend from cruelty and abuse here in Texas," said Nicole Paquette, Texas senior state director for The HSUS. “Texas is the tenth largest puppy mill state in the country, and it’s long overdue that we give basic protections to family pets.”
“This bill protects both dogs and consumers,” said Jill Buckley, senior director of government relations for the ASPCA. “The public has become aware of the horrible conditions inside puppy mills and is no longer willing to tolerate animal cruelty in the dog breeding industry. This legislation will help protect dogs in Texas puppy mills by shining a spotlight on the cruelties so often uncovered at these mills, and encourage responsible breeding practices, which can only lead to safer and healthier puppies and will prove beneficial to the entire community. ”
