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!