[ SHOWGSD-L ] Salt Lake County passes puppy mill ordinance
- From: "John Zumwalt" <candiasgsd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:48:01 -0700
S.L. County Council passes puppy mill ordinanceDecember 28th, 2010 @
8:18pmBy Marjorie Cortez
SALT LAKE CITY -- Over the objections of dog breeders, the Salt Lake
County Council unanimously approved the state's first ordinance to
regulate puppy mills.
The council voted 9-0 Tuesday to approve the "Volume Dog Breeders"
ordinance, which will require anyone in the unincorporated county to
obtain an annual license if they breed more than one litter of dogs
during a 12-month period. Anyone convicted of an animal cruelty charge
within five years of seeking a license would be denied a permit, the
ordinance states.
The council agreed to revisit the issue within a few months to allow more
input from breeders and kennel clubs. A Canadian expert on regulating
puppy mills is planning to visit Utah to offer his expertise.
Many breeders who addressed the council said the ordinance was not
necessary because the vast majority of breeders in the county were
reputable and the ordinance would harm their operations. Most puppy mills
in Utah operate in rural parts of the state, they said.
"It's not us not finding homes for these dogs. It's not us selling dogs
in front of Walmart," said Cathy Williams of West Jordan, who breeds
purebred miniature Schnauzers.
However, a representative for the Utah Humane Society said there are
mills in the county and regulation is needed to crack down on their
practices.
Standards for protecting breeding dogs from the elements would be
required, as well as annual examinations by licensed veterinarians.
Detailed records of any dog being bred would have to be kept for a
minimum of five years. "A dog may not be bred if a veterinarian
determines the dog is unfit for breeding purposes," the ordinance states.
Breeders who fail to comply with the ordinance could be charged with a
class B misdemeanor, which carries a maximum fine of $1,000 and a penalty
of up to six months in jail.
Council Chairman Joe Hatch said the county would act on complaints or
when they become aware of animals in the county animal shelters that were
bred in mills. Enforcement activities would be conducted during regular
hours and with notice, he said.
About 20 other municipalities across the country have passed similar
ordinances.
E-mail: marjorie@xxxxxxxxxxxx
CandyZ
www.candiasgsd.com
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