Tune in!! July 9...Channel 9....9pm

Just saw on the animalfolkmn.org website that Channel 9 is doing a piece on a Wisconsin puppy mill, as well as the puppy / kitten mill bill. Be sure to tune in!

House Party / Fundraiser for Cam Gordon

Passed on to me from Christine Coughlin of MN Voters for Animal Protection. Attend if you're interested!

Come to our house party to meet and support Cam Gordon, Minneapolis City Council Member, Ward 2 ------------ Meet Cam, mingle with friends and like-minded people, and enjoy a few snacks as we support Cam Gordon for his reelection this fall to the Minneapolis City Council. Cam has been a terrific, humane voice on the council, and he deserves our support.

When: Thursday, June 25Time: 5:30-7pm
Where: Home of Christine Coughlin and Erik Wyckoff2615 34th Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55406
What: Party and fundraiser for Cam Gordon (please feel free to come even if you’re unable to donate or unable to donate much)
Who: Families, neighbors, and supporters from around the cities are welcome RSVP not required but appreciated. RSVP or questions to Christy at christycoughlin@yahoo.com or call 612-644-9176. There will be snacks and toys for kids so if you’ve got children feel free to bring them. Let’s all help make sure Cam can continue the great work he’s done so far. Hope to see you there! Feel free to pass this invitation along to others you know who may be interested.

Governor Pawlenty Vetos Cocoa Bean Mulch Warning Legislation

Last Friday, Governor Pawlenty vetoed legislation that would have required retailers of cocoa bean mulch to post warning signs alerting potential buyers of the mulch's potentially dangerous affect on pets. In a letter announcing the veto, Governor Pawlenty called the legislation "well intended" but was also concerned with its "legislative overreach."

Even though the bill will not be signed into law, it's a good opportunity to remind everyone that cocoa bean mulch can be very dangerous to our pets! According to an article published by the AVMA, while the odds of a pet dying from ingesting the mulch are low, it's still a good idea to avoid using the mulch in areas assessable to unsupervised dogs. And, it's important to contact a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has ingested the mulch.

Bauck Sentancing Postponed - There's still time for you to voice your opinon!

As you may already know, Kathy Bauck, was convicted of four misdemeanors (3 for animal cruelty, 1 for torture). Sentancing was to have taken place last week, but was postponed until May 1.

Please consider drafting a letter to the judge asking for the strictest sentencing possible. Letters can be sent to the judge requesting that a strong sentence be imposed.
Honorable Judge Waldemar Senyk
121 West Junius Avenue, Suite 310
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Fax: 218-998-8414 (a fee of $25 is charged)
Email: does not accept emails
Case #56-CR08-2271
Please be respectful, brief and professional in your writing, as this will better support animal protection efforts.

For more information on Ms. Bauck's facility, guilty verdict, and to see undercover video of the facility, click here.

Pit bull=hero

Check out this video about a pit bull who helped police capture a robber. It's not everyday you hear a pit bull referred to as a hero!

End Pound Seizure in Minnesota

Did you know there is a law on the books in Minnesota that allows licensed institutions to seize animals left for more than five days in publicly-funded facilities? That’s right, if your pet were to end up at, say, an animal control facility and you were unable to claim your four-legged friend within five days, the animal control facility is legally required to turn it over to a licensed institution requesting the animal.

The good news is that there are ways you can prevent this from happening to you

• The law also prohibits institutions from seizing animals with identification indicating that the animal cannot be made available for research. Click here to see an example.
• Sign the petition asking legislators to end pound seizure
• Visit www.endpoundseizuremn.org to learn more about this issue.
  

Puppy / Kitten Mill BIll Update

The Puppy / Kitten Mill bill did not make it out of committee before the deadline, so this year, we won’t see puppy / kitten mill legislation. While this is certainly not the news we were hoping for, a lot of progress was made during this session. Even though H.F. 253 did not have enough votes to make it out of committee, it remains “laid on the table” (a fancy way of saying set aside for possible further discussion). That means next year, we can pick up where we left off.

In the meantime, let’s keep this issue alive! There are things you can do to help ensure the bill passes next year.

• Educate everyone! Bring this topic up in conversation with friends, family, co-workers, anyone you feel comfortable talking to. Many people are unaware inhumane breeders, and the horrible conditions cats and dogs find themselves in.
  
• Encourage adoption! If you know people interested in a cat or dog, be sure to remind them of the many homeless cats and dogs in need of a home. There are a number of rescue organizations (many specializing in certain breeds), and even the pickiest people can find their next pet through adoption.
  
• Contact your legislators! Everyone who’s in the legislature now, will be there in 2010 (and many will be up for re-election!). Remind them of the importance of this issue.
  
  Visit animalfolksmn.org to learn more about the fate of H.F. 253 / S.F. 7 and to stay educated on puppy and kitten mills.

Puppy / Kitten Mill Bill Update and More Calls Needed!

First, the good news! H.F. 253 passed out of the House Civil Justice Committee on Monday without any amendments!

MORE CALLS NEEDED IN THE HOUSE -- ANOTHER HEARING
The bill is now going to be heard in the House Agriculture Committee the morning of Friday, March 27.

ACTION: Please call all of the members on the committee before Friday morning and ask them to vote in favor of H.F. 253, Representative Tillberry's bill. As you know, hearings are unpredictable. Unforeseen amendments to weaken the bill may be introduced at the hearing, which is why it's important to reiterate your support of H.F. 253 and urge committee members not to accept any amendments that would weaken it.

Below is a list of the committee members and their phone numbers.

House Agriculture, Rural Economics and Veterans Affairs Committee
Call BEFORE Friday, March 27. Support H.F. 253.
Chair: Representative Mary Ellen Otremba - 651-296-3201
Vice Chair: Representative Al Doty - 651-296-4247
Representative Steve Drazkowski - 651-296-2273
Representative Kent Eken - 651-296-9918
Representative Tim Faust - 651-296-0518
Representative Rod Hamilton - 651-296-5373
Representative Kory Kath - 651-296-5368
Representative Terry Morrow - 651-296-8634
Representative Dave Olin - 651-296-9635
Representative Ron Shimanski - 651-296-1534
Representative Dean Urdahl - 651-296-4344

Urgent-Senate Hearing on Puppy / Kitten Mill Legislation. Your calls needed!

The Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill -- S.F. 7 (Betzold) -- is going to be heard in the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, March 24, for more debate and a vote.
This is a second hearing for this committee and a final vote (in this committee) will be taken. This vote is critical, so we are urging you to call all of the members on this committee once more.
IMPORTANT: A weaker amendment requiring "registration only" for breeders may be offered at this hearing, which will do little to protect animals from unscrupulous breeders. Ask committee members NOT to support a weaker, "registration only" amendment.

ACTION: Please call all of the members on the committee before 3:00 p.m. Tuesday and ask them to vote in favor of S.F. 7 (Sen. Betzold's bill) -- and to NOT support a weaker, "registration only" amendment.

SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE MEMBERS -- Support S.F. 7
Chair: Senator Jim Vickerman (District 22) 651-296-5650
Vice Chair: Sharon L. Erickson Ropes (District 31) 651-296-5649
Senator Satveer S. Chaudhary (District 50) 651-296-4334
Senator Steve Dille (District 18) 651-296-4131
Senator Lisa A. Fobbe (District 16) 651-296-8075
Senator Joe Gimse (District 13) 651-296-3826
Senator David W. Hann (District 42) 651-296-1749
Senator Bill G. Ingebrigtsen (District 11) 651-297-8063
Senator Paul E. Koering (District 12) 651-296-4875
Senator Gary W. Kubly (District 20) 651-296-5094
Senator Keith Langseth (District 9) 651-296-3205
Senator Tony Lourey (District 8) 651-296-0293
Senator Steve Murphy (District 28) 651-296-4264
Senator Rod Skoe (District 2) 651-296-4196
Senator Dan Skogen (District 10) 651-296-5655 (Kathy Jo Bauck's district*)
* Kathy Jo Bauck is owner of Pick Of The Litter, a dog breeding facility in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Bauck has been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty and torture. That trial is in process right now.

Legislators are hearing from dog and cat breeders, hunting groups, the NRA, and others who oppose the bill or any regulation. Your voice is necessary.

More Action Needed for Puppy / Kitten MIll Legislation!

The Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill -- H.F. 253 -- will be heard in the House Civil Justice Committee on Monday, March 23. Please call all of the members on the committee before 4:00 p.m. Monday and leave a message asking them to vote in favor of Rep. Tillberry's bill (H.F. 253).

As you may know, hearings are unpredictable. Unforeseen amendments to weaken the bill may be introduced by committee members at the hearing, which is why it's important to urge them not to accept any amendments that would weaken it.

NOTE: If you already called all the members on the House Public Safety Committee, then you only need to call the ones highlighted in red below because they have not heard from you yet. (Legislators sit on multiple committees.) If you didn't have a chance to contact these committee members, then please call all members of the House Civil Justice Committee below.

HOUSE CIVIL JUSTICE COMMITTEE
Chair: Representative Joe Mullery 651-296-4262
Vice Chair: Representative Gail Kulick Jackson 651-296-6746
Representative Bobby Joe Champion 651-296-8659
Representative Steve Drazkowski 651-296-2273 (voted NO in Public Safety)
Representative Debra Hilstrom 651-296-3709
Representative Mary Liz Holberg 651-296-6926
Representative Melissa Hortman 651-296-4280
Representative Sheldon Johnson 651-296-4201
Representative Tim Kelly 651-296-8635
Representative Tim Mahoney 651-296-4277
Representative Dave Olin 651-296-9635
Representative Michael Paymar 651-296-4199 (co-author)
Representative Peggy Scott 651-296-4231
Representative Torrey Westrom 651-296-4929

Great news!

On Tuesday, March 17, the members of the Minnesota House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee passed H.F. 253 by a wide margin -13 to 4! Your calls do make a difference!

H.F. 253 has been amended slightly. This is a good thing! Language from Rep. Juhnke's bill (H.F. 573) was amended into H.F. 253 and supporters of Rep. Juhnke's bill now support H.F. 253.
The biggest change to the bill's language (per the amendment) is the definitions of "commercial breeder" and "hobby breeder." Instead of having the count for commercial breeders include 6 intact "females", the number was changed to "20 or more adult intact animals" and includes breeders who produce five or more litters per year. To keep the bill moving forward, the coalition supported this compromise. Committee members acknowledged these collaborative efforts by voting Yes.
The coalition will continue to fight for the strongest language possible while working collaboratively to get legislation passed.

Urgent Action Needed!

The Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill, H.F. 253, will be heard in the Minnesota House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee on Tuesday, March 17. Your voice is making a difference. Legislators are hearing from you - through your petitions, emails and calls; however, legislators are also hearing from breeders who oppose the bill. This is why phone calls are critical.

House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee - Ask for their support of H.F. 253 (Author, Rep. Tillberry)

Chair: Representative Debra Hilstrom (District 46B) - 651-296-3709

Vice Chair: Representative Karla Bigham (District 57A) - 651-296-4342 (co-author)Representative Bruce Anderson (District 19A) - 651-296-5063

Representative Tony Cornish (District 24B) - 651-296-4240

Representative Steve Drazkowski (District 28B) - 651-296-2273

Representative Gail Kulick Jackson (District 16A) - 651-296-6746

Representative Sheldon Johnson (District 67B) 651-296-4201

Representative Kory Kathy (District 26B) - 651-296-5368

Representative Tim Kelly (District 28A) - 651-296-8635

Representative Paul Kohls (District 34A) - 651-296-4282

Representative John Lesch (District 66A) - 651-296-4224

Representative Sandra Masin (District 38A) - 651-296-3533

Representative Joe Mullery (District 58A) - 651-296-4262

Representative Dave Olin (District 1A) - 651-296-9635

Representative Michael Paymar (District 64B) - 651-296-4199 (co-author)

Representative Paul Rosenthal (District 41B) - 651-296-7803 (co-author)

Representative Ron Shimanski (District 18A) - 651-296-1534

IMPORTANT: If you are a constituent of a committee member listed above, please be sure he/she is aware of that. To find out who represents you, click here.

Detailed Info RE: Three Bills Addressing Puppy / Kitten Mills

All information access able from Minnesota Legislature's website

H.F. 253 / S.F. 7 (Pet Haven supports this bill)
H.F. 253 Authors: Tillberry, Hornstein, Paymar, Murphy, M.; Smith; Greiling; Newton; Sterner; Slocum; Murphy, E.; and Bigham
-January 22, 2009: Introduced, read for the first time, and referred to the Committee on Public Safety Policy and Oversight.
S.F. 7 Senate Authors: Betzhold; Sieben; and Marty
-January 8, 2009: Introduced, read for the first time, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Veterans.
-January 27, 2009: As amended, laid over.

H.F. 573 / S.F. 500
H.F. 573 Authors: Juhnke; Sterner; Bigham; Slocum
-February 5, 2009: Introduced, read for the first time, and referred to the Committee on Public Safety Policy and Oversight.
-February 10, 2009: Referred to the Committee on Crime Victims/Criminal Records Division.
S.F. 500 Author: Erickson Ropes
-February 9, 2009: Introduced, read for the first time, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Veterans.

S.F. 201
Author: Dille
-January 22, 2009: Introduced, read for the first time, and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Veterans.
-January 27, 2009: Discussion only in the Committee on Agriculture and Veterans.

A House version of SF201 will be heard in the Committee on Public Safety Policy and Oversight as soon as a hearing is granted.

A Tale of Three Bills...

There are currently three bills making their way through the Minnesota Legislature that address puppy / kitten mills in Minnesota. Pet Haven supports H.F. 235 / S.F. 7. because the bill best addresses problems of inhumane breeding in Minnesota. See our previous blog post or visit animalfolksmn.org for more in depth information about this important legislation. Both bills are currently making their way through the legislative process.

Now a bit about the other two bills…
Representatives Al Juhnke and Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes introduced HF573 and SF500, “Minnesota Puppy and Kitten Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.” See the Minnesota State Legislative website for details about this bill.

While HF573 / SF500 includes some good measures, HF235 / SF7 reaches more animals. Pet Haven’s specific concerns with HF573 / SF500 include the following:

• Some of the language in the bill does not work with Minnesota's existing animal welfare statutes.


• The bill also introduces new terms and some detrimental requirements, which will cause confusion.


• In certain areas, the bill does not give proper direction to the Board of Animal Health.


• The bill does not cover any breeder with under 40 breeding animals -- 40 breeding animals (with litters from each) translates to over 400 animals per kennel. (HF253/S7 licenses facilities with 6 or more intact females used for the purpose of breeding.)
  The bill exempts (from the count of the 40 breeding animals) animals under 9 months of age. This detail is important because those animals are of breeding age, further increasing the number of animals exempted from any oversight.

Senator Steve Dille introduced a second competing bill SF201 for a "Dog and Cat Breeders Act." See the Minnesota Legislative website for details about this bill. Pet Haven’s specific concerns with SF201 include the following:

• The bill is a registration-only bill. Similar to feedlots, dog and cat breeders would not be licensed annually but instead would only be registered once every four years.


• The bill covers breeders with 20 or more intact breeding females; as with HF573/SF500, this reduces the number of animals protected.


• The bill requires inspections to be complaint-based, which is the current system. Rather than annual inspections, a Good Samaritan would have to file a complaint before authorities could enter the property.


• The bill takes "humane agents" out of the language for inspections and enforcement and inserts "feedlot inspectors."


• Regarding animal seizure, the bill only allows the "affected" animals to be seized.

Continue to visit the blog for more updates. Special thanks to Pet Haven Vice President Amanda for her help in compiling this information!

Breed-Neutral Dangerous Dog Legislation Introduced

Last month Representative Lesch introduced legislation, H.F. 115, requiring the owners of dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs (as defined by section 347.50 of the Minnesota Statutes) complete a responsible dog owner class. The law outlines standards for the class itself, who may teach it, and what the curriculum should look like. The law also calls for the creation of a database containing information about dogs in the state who have been declared dangerous or potentially dangerous, as well as those dogs' owners. H.F. 115 was introduced in the Public Safety and Policy Oversight Committee, and was referred to the Crime Victims/Criminal Division Committee.

Folks may recall that Representative Lesch introduced Breed Specific Legislation in 2008, which Pet Haven and other rescue organizations opposed. Instead of BSL, a breed-neutral dangerous dog law passed unanimously at the end of the session, and Governor Pawlenty signed it into law. The good news is that H.F. 115 is also breed-neutral, and builds upon the dangerous dog law passed last year. Also interesting to note, is that one of H.F. 115's authors is Representative Paymar, who also co-authored H.F. 253, the puppy/kitten mill bill that Pet Haven supports.

Puppy / Kitten Mill Bill Update

S.F. 7 was introduced to the Senate Agriculture Committe this week (1/27) and after a 2 1/2 hour hearing, the bill was tabled, meaning a vote was not taken, and the bill will be discussed again at a later hearing . While several breeders testified in opposition to the bill, Committe members saw a video of inhumane breeding, learned more about the problem, and commented on the numerous calls in support of the bill they received. Thankfully, a proposed amendment to S.F. 7 defining breeder as someone possessing 40 or more breeding females did not pass. S.F. 7 defines breeder as "someone who is engaged in the business of breeding animals and possess six or more intact females for the purpose of breeding.” Senator Betzold concluded the hearing by saying, “We have now heard from all testifiers. It can be assumed that all breeders present today are ‘good’ breeders. Even these good breeders, by their testimony, agree that bad breeding does exist. There is a problem. It is our duty to do something about this problem.”(emphasis added)

Another bill (S.F. 201) was also introduced. This is a weaker bill that requires breeders with 20 or more breeding femails to register with local animal control every year. There are also no required state inspections as part of this bill. S.F. 201 was debated, and no vote was taken. '

For more detailed information, visit the legislation page of animalfolksmn.org

More to come...but we've still got plenty of work to do. If you haven't yet already done so, please contact your senator asking him or her to support S.F. 7, and your state representative asking him or her to support H.F. 253!

Your Action Needed on The Puppy / Kitten Mill Bill

From the Stopthesuffering folks:

The puppy/kitten mill bill – S.F. 7 – is going to be heard in the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, January 27. Please call all of the members on the committee before Tuesday and ask them to vote in favor of S.F. 7 and not to accept any amendments that would weaken it. Also, ask them not to support a weaker bill that may be heard. We need to protect Minnesota dogs and cats who are forced to live in substandard and deplorable conditions.

Below is a list of the members and their phone numbers. IMPORTANT - If you are a constituent of a committee member listed below, be sure he/she knows that.

Senate Agriculture Committee Members
Jim Vickerman – Chair (District 22) - 651.296.5650
Sharon L. Erickson Ropes - Vice Chair (District 31) - 651.296.5649
Satveer S. Chaudhary (District 50) - 651.296.4334
Steve Dille (District 18) – 651.296.4131
Lisa A. Fobbe (District 16) - 651.296.8075
Joe Gimse (District 13) - 651.296.3826
David W. Hann (District 42) - 651.296.1749
Bill G. Ingebrigtsen (District 11) - 651.297.8063
Paul E. Koering (District 12) - 651.296.4875
Gary W. Kubly (District 20) - 651.296.5094
Keith Langseth (District 9) - 651.296.3205
Tony Lourey (District 8) - 651.296.0293
Steve Murphy (District 28) - 651.296.4264
Rod Skoe (District 2) - 651.296.4196
Dan Skogen (District 10) - 651.296.5655

Let's get to work everyone!

Show your support for abused and neglected animals...

Received this email from a fellow Pet Haven Board Member...

The arraignment of Mary LaCrystal Davis and Torrance Cortes Epps willbe on January 20th, 2009 at 8:30 at the Minneapolis Public SafetyBuilding (or better known as the Minneapolis jailhouse). Address:401 South 4th Avenue, Minneapolis. There are paid parking ramps rightacross the street at the Hennepin County Government Center.
Please be advised -- though these individuals are arraigned at 8:30a.m. - their case may not come up until 10:00 or 11:00. If you canarrange to take time off of work, I would encourage you to do so.
Personally, I would like to see the courtroom packed to send a very,very strong message to the City of Minneapolis that we will no longertolerate this kind of brutality to helpless and vulnernable animals.The incredible deliberate cruelty that these two monsters perpetratedupon the three dogs can not and should not be excused. While mediareports are saying they are charged with misdemeanors, Mr. Murphy (the prosecuting attorney told me he was charging them with both with threecounts of animal felony cruelty).
Just to remind you: these two monsters starved and beat these poordogs and then allegedly buried them while still alive in their backyard.

Support the Puppy / Kitten Mill Bill

Last week, S.F. 7 was introduced in the Minnesota Senate. Support this bill by writing your state senator! You can use the text below to draft your letter. Click here to find your state senator.

Re: Please support the Puppy/Kitten Mill Bill S.F. 7


Dear Senator__________________:
Minnesota is among the top producers of puppies and kittens in the United States, with some of the largest puppy and kitten mills in the nation.
The State of Minnesota does not license or regulate this multi-million dollar industry. Due to this lack of oversight, unscrupulous breeders exploit dogs, cats, puppies and kittens for profit, creating harm and suffering to animals.
I believe animals, like people, deserve to be treated humanely. I believe we, as a state, must show others that Minnesota will not tolerate animal cruelty, in any form.
Please support the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill S.F. 7, which will license and regulate the dog and cat breeding industry and require breeders to act responsibly. Thank you.
Sincerely,

Please attend the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill Informational Session

Puppy/Kitten Mill
Informational Open House
Saturday, January 10
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Roseville Public Library (in the meeting room)
Sponsored by Pet Haven
Did you know that …
… Minnesota is one of the top producers of puppies and kittens in the U.S.?
… some facilities in Minnesota house over 1000 dogs and puppies?
… Minnesota does NOT regulate the dog and cat breeding industry?
… breeding and dealing animals is a multi-million dollar industry?
A bill will be introduced in the 2009 Minnesota Legislative Session to regulate this lucrative industry.
You’re invited to stop by this open house to learn more about the inhumane dog and cat breeding industry and what YOU can do to help!