In case you missed news from Sacramento, the governor opted to veto a bill that aimed to curb puppy mills. Here’s the latest from my colleague, Teri Sforza, at OC Watchdog:
It passed in the state Assembly, and it passed the state Senate, but it died this weekend on the governor’s desk.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed The Puppy Mill bill (otherwise known as Assembly Bill 241, The Responsible Breeder Act of 2009.)
“This measure would make it a crime for any person or entity to own or control more than 50 unsterilized adult dogs or cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets,” Schwarzenegger wrote in his veto message.
“I support measures designed to prevent animal cruelty and that punish persons engaged in the abuse of animals. However, this measure simply goes too far in an attempt to address the serious problem of puppy mills. An arbitrary cap on the number of animals any entity can possess throughout the state will not end unlawful, inhumane breeding practices. Instead this measure has the potential to criminalize the lawful activities of reputable breeders, pet stores, kennels, and charitable organizations engaged in raising service and assistance dogs.”
Similar legislation limiting the number of dogs in puppy mills passed last year in Louisiana and Virginia.
“It’s embarrassing, we are so behind on so many issues,” said Judie Mancuso, the Orange County force behind the Puppy Mill bill and the Snip-the-Roamers spay-neuter bill. (You can read her initial thoughts over here). “California is supposed to be a leader, but we’re just dragging our knuckles along.”
