New proposed law would crack down on puppy mills

CLEVELAND (WJW) — The Fox 8 I-Team has learned of a new plan for cracking down on so-called puppy mills.

State Representative Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester)  and Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson)  have introduced a bill that revises the law governing high-volume dog breeders.

“Just recently, 70 dogs died in a fire at a puppy mill in Morrow County,” Weinstein said. “It’s a disgrace when dogs are being abused, mistreated, and not cared for properly. It’s an outrage and unacceptable. This legislation will ensure that the dogs being bred in our state are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

The bill would change the definition of high-volume breeder so that it would include any establishment that keeps, houses and maintains six or more breeding dogs and sells adult dogs or puppies to dog brokers, pet stores or to the public. 

The legislation, if passed, would also require all surgical or euthanasia procedures to be performed by a veterinarian, including medically necessary surgical procedures and all cosmetic surgical procedures like ear cropping, tail docking and dew claw removal. The proposed legislation also does away with the two-day advance notice of inspections.

“They should not be given notice that they are going to be inspected,” Weinstein said. “It is very important that we bring these operators into regulation and that we require that the dogs get proper care by veterinarians. We must have an inspection regime that is going to hold them accountable.”

Many animal rights activists believe there should be more inspectors. Right now there are about 450 large-volume dog breeders in Ohio and 5 state inspectors.

Year after year Ohio ranks near the top of a nationwide list of problem dog breeders.

The Fox 8 I-Team has uncovered several large volume dog breeders in the state that have been cited by state inspectors multiple times for several violations, including keeping dogs in dirty cages and not providing proper medical care.

“Ohioans demand proper care for these animals,” Weinstein said. “It is time that the state put forth the resources and close the loopholes behind insuring that care.”