Ohio's Proposal to Regulate Puppy Mills and Dog Auctions

There are 186 USDA "Class A" licensed breeders and 32 USDA "Class B" licensed dealers in Ohio, and more than  54% of these breeding kennels are located in Berlin, Millersburg and Sugarcreek, the heart of Amish country.  In 2006, Holmes County licensed 478 kennels, a 40 percent increase from 2003, the year before the Buckeye Dog Auction started.

With over 10,000 kennel registrations in Ohio, there is great disparity in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) licensing and inspecting the appropriate number of kennels.  Laws are on the books to provide minimum-care standards for animals, but enforcement has historically been spotty at best.

The USDA licenses and inspects commercial breeding facilities (those that sell to wholesalers) for violations of the Animal Welfare Act; likewise, a handful of states have laws that provide oversight of some breeding operations as well. (Ohio law requires kennels register annually in their home counties.)  But puppy mills can successfully navigate around these laws, either by selling directly to consumers (thereby avoiding USDA licensing requirements) or by simply avoiding the reach of law enforcement - with so few USDA inspectors and minor fines, it's easy to stay in business. 

Ohio legislation does not currently provide for public accountability where deplorable conditions exist.  These large scale operations - dozens of dogs in one kennel - are the major concern.  Minimum standards for dog care - unfrozen water bowls, daily feeding, living quarters free from a build up of urine/feces and human contact - are a few of the requirements included in the proposed puppy mill legislation. 

The goal of  S.B. 173 and H.B. 223 is to encourage responsible breeding and raising of dogs for the pet industry.  The legislation is intended to address those situations where dogs are being warehoused in deplorable conditions.  For more information, we invite you to read the Fiscal Note and Local Impact Statement on H.B. 223 provided by Rep. Jim Hughes to the 127th General Assembly of Ohio in October, 2007.
 

5/22/08 UPDATE: H.B. 223 (still in Committee) is currently assigned to the State Government & Elections Committee, of which Representative David Daniels is Chairman. The bill has had four hearings to date, with a fifth hearing (no testimony, possible Substitute Bill) expected to be scheduled in the very near future. 

S.B. 173 (senate verison of H.B. 223; still in Committee) is currently assigned to the Senate State & Local Government Committee, of which Senator Gary Cates is Chairman.  The bill has had three hearings to date, with a fourth hearing (no testimony, possible Substitute Bill) expected to be scheduled in the very near future. 


10/11/07 UPDATE: The State Government and Elections Committee of the state house of representatives heard testimony this morning from opponents of H.B. 223.  Critics of the bill said that it would hurt responsible breeders without fixing the real problem.  H.B. 223 must be passed by the House committee before being voted on by the full House and Senate.

For more information on today's opponent testimony, read the article - Opponents Warn Lawmakers About Puppy Mill 'Emotions' - published by WBNS-10TV.


10/4/07 UPDATE: The State Government and Elections Committee of the state house of representatives heard testimony this morning from proponents of H.B. 223.  Supporters of the bill said that it would provide protection for animals and regulate breeding procedures as well as ensure that litters are properly cared for.  

For more information on today's proponent testimony, read the article - Supporters Plead Case For Puppy Mill Bill - published by WBNS-10TV.

For more information on the status of these bills in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate, visit Ohio Legislative Service Commission. 

For more information on finding and contacting your local, state and federal elected officials to share your concerns about puppy mills and dog auctions, visit Congress by Capitol Advantage.

For more information on USDA minimum requirements, Animal Welfare Act regulations and the role of the American Kennel Club (AKC) in puppy mill auctions, read the articles - Puppy Mill Legislation, Part I, Puppy Mill Legislation, Part II and Rally Against the AKC's Support of Puppy Mills  - published by Best Friends Animal Society, Animal Law Coalition.