PA Gov. Rendell's proposal to overhaul the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement

[Lobster Martini]

(LM: Good for you, Gov. Rendell. Note this sentence: "Rendell's proposal came under fire from breeders and sporting groups, which called it burdensome and costly." Right. Treating animals decently can be such a nuisance.)

Rendell to push broad changes for kennels

The state, which has been notorious for puppy mills, might have the most stringent dog laws in the nation.

HARRISBURG - Gov. Rendell, in a continuing effort to improve conditions for the tens of thousands of dogs in Pennsylvania kennels, wants to eliminate wire-floor cages as well as do-it-yourself cesareans and other at-home medical practices, and ban anyone convicted of animal cruelty from holding a kennel license.

Those are among proposals that Rendell will present next month in an effort to push bad kennel owners out of the industry, and improve housing and health care for dogs in the state's 2,600 commercial kennels.

A draft copy of the proposals, which would strengthen and expand statutes and regulations, was provided to The Inquirer by a person in the administration.

Among the most significant changes would be larger cage sizes with exercise runs and veterinary care requirements, additional tools for the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement to enforce kennel regulations and cruelty laws, and increased fines and penalties for cruelty citations.

Experts in animal law say that if the legislation is approved, Pennsylvania - criticized as the "puppy mill capital of the East" - would have the most stringent kennel laws in the nation.

The legislation attempts to address critics who objected to regulations proposed by Rendell last year as part of his effort to overhaul the Bureau of Dog Law.

While hailed by animal welfare advocates, Rendell's proposal came under fire from breeders and sporting groups, which called it burdensome and costly.

<snip>

In 2006, Rendell, a dog lover fed up with the state's bad reputation, pledged to improve the lives of commercial breeding dogs - many of which get little socialization and never leave their cramped cages. He fired the members of the Dog Law Advisory Board; hired more kennel inspection staff, a new deputy secretary and a special prosecutor in the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement; and proposed sweeping kennel regulations.

<snip>

(Link: http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20071222_Rendell_to_push_broad_changes_for_kennels.html)

[Eurobabe]

1. Good on Ed, PA Lancaster County is puppy mill ground zero

My friend is actively involved in shutting these disgusting places down. Thanks for the news :hi: