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!