Dream Team?

May 8, 2008 : 6:19 PM

Ed Rendell proposes new (Oprah-approved) laws to regulate Pennsylvania Puppy mills

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is going to bat for the state’s puppy mill dogs again. It started in 2006 when he fired the state’s entire Dog Advisory Board—part of an attempted overhaul of the state’s puppy mill problem. Now Rendell is preparing new legislation that would impose more humane conditions for Pennsylvania commercial breeders’ dogs. To view the proposed 82-page bill, click here.

This isn’t Rendell’s first attempt to overhaul the state’s commercial breeding business, but in this round he’s backed by a super power: Oprah Winfrey.

It is reported that Oprah plans to read a statement about the proposed legislation on her show sometime this month. With Bill Smith of Main Line Animal Rescue, Ed Rendell, Oprah Winfrey, and thousands more people who want to see change in Pennsylvania’s puppy mill situation—this might be the year it happens. For more about this story, click here

Are you in Pennsylvania? Governor Rendell has asked for your support!
Click here to learn what you can do if you would like to support the new legislation.

Not in Pennsylvania, but want to help stop puppy mills?
Visit our Resources page to learn how you can get involved

Posted by Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends Animal Society
Photo by Clay Myers: Best Friends Animal Society

Comments

May 10, 2008 at 12:57 PM
posted by: PamelaB

When we get respected politicians of the caliber of Eddie Rendell to move wholeheartedly behind pro-animal legislation, it shows how far we have come and maybe how far we can go.

Bravo to Governor Rendell!

May 10, 2008 at 12:55 PM
posted by: ruthy92

The breeders will fight hard against any regulations (or they will try to weaken them into uselessness) with outright lies and foolish gossip.

They will put pressure on corrupt legislators.

And the AKC will be right in there working FOR the puppy mills and against any rules or regulations. The AKC pays lobbyists to oppose regulations, and the AKC will also have their breeders opposing these laws.

AKC breeders and the AKC are working WITH puppy mill lobbyists in PA and other states.

Why? Because the AKC makes most of its money from puppy mill registration. The AKC profits from this abuse, and AKC breeders benefit from that AKC puppy mill money.

Puppy mill registration money keeps the AKC going. And puppy mills fuel the "purebred dog" sales world.

Many of these AKC breeders are also running profitabne businesses and not reporting the income, and not paying taxes. Just like the puppy mills. They don't want rules, licensing, and inspections that reduce their incomes!

Breed clubs and federations of breed clubs, and "responsible dog owners" groups (breeders) will say ANYTHING to stop regulation.

The dog breeding world is like a rotten apple.

May 9, 2008 at 12:21 PM
posted by: southerndogmom

My latest mill related video is here if you're interested. Not graphic at all - just trying to get people pumped up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdhazrNpTJM

I do think we can bring about change but it will take time and a cooperative effort in our society.

May 9, 2008 at 12:19 PM
posted by: southerndogmom

Check out this link. It includes comments from Governor Rendell and Bill Smith.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/bizarre&id=6069614

As much as I would love for mills to just become illegal in our country, I guess this is a step in the right direction. Even if the mill dogs lived in luxury I would still be against mills but it's the conditions in which these dogs are forced to live which makes me the most angry.

May 9, 2008 at 7:33 AM
posted by: deafk9s

Great step in the right direction. Could we get Oprah to deliver a copy of that bill over here to Gov. Mike Rounds in South Dakota?

May 8, 2008 at 7:50 PM
posted by: mimi

GREAT local news video! If we can count on some ongoing degree of Oprah involvement, that might be just what we need to go from fantasies of puppy mill reform to actual progress. My mouth waters!