Nevada Says NO to Puppy Mill Abuse
Puppy Mill Abuse Bill Passes in Nevada - Strongest Bill of its kind to pass in Agribusiness Friendly State.
- (1888PressRelease) May 29, 2011 - SB 299 - Puppy Mill Abuse Bill - Passes in Nevada, goes to Governor for signature.
Large scale breeding facilities known as puppy mills are a growing national concern. Nevada joins several other states to pass new laws to protect both the dogs in puppy mills and the consumers who often unwittingly purchase sick puppies bred at mills.
Nevada's history with puppy mills recently captured media attention when a large scale breeder in Amargosa Valley was charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty. The Amargosa Valley puppy mill known as LOLAA (Little Old Lady And Animals) was home to more than 200 dogs living in their own feces. Linda Smith, the "little old lady" of LOLAA, increased profits by avoiding veterinary care. A former employee of LOLAA, Karen Grogan, testified at the Senate Natural Resources Committee hearing that Linda Smith simply shot sick dogs and threw them in an open hole on the property. Nye County Animal Shelter, where the mill is located, estimates it will cost approximately $250,000 to confiscate and care for the animals, should LOLAA be shut down for good. The Amargosa Valley mill is not Nevada's first run-in with puppy mills. Two other puppy mills were shut down in Elko County.
Senator Mark Manendo's Puppy Mill Bill mirrors the Clark County Ordinance, which passed last summer. It establishes a statewide breeder's permit system and sets minimum standards of basic humane care and allows for regular inspections of commercial breeding facilities to ensure compliance. It mandates dogs not be bred prior to 18 months of age, are bred only once per year, receive appropriate vaccinations and are microchipped. The measure targets only large-scale facilities and does not apply to small or hobby breeders.
Although various breeders testified at both the Senate and Assembly Committee hearings in opposition to the bill, they admitted that they do not breed their dogs before 18 months of age, they only allow one litter per year, and they vaccinate and microchip their dogs. Beverlee McGrath, lobbyist for the NV Animal Groups who are behind the bill, says, "NV breeders don't want ANY inspections or regulations. Last session they opposed a puppy mill bill that had a cap on the number of breeding dogs saying, it's 'standards' that should be focused on. This year the bill focuses on standards and they're still opposed!"
Puppy Mill Facts
• Puppy mill dogs typically receive little to no medical care, live in squalid conditions with no exercise, socialization or human interaction, and are confined inside cramped wire-floored cages for life.
• Dogs from puppy mills are sold in pet stores, online and directly to consumers with little to no regard for the dog's health, genetic history or future welfare. Consumers should never buy a puppy from a pet store or Web site; instead visit an animal shelter or screen a breeder's facility in person.
Sponsors of SB 299:
Las Vegas Valley Humane Society, Nevada Humane Society, Nevada Voters for Animals, Nevada Political Action for Animals, Heaven Can Wait Sanctuary, Northern Nevada SPCA, SPCA of Nevada, Lied Animal Foundation, Tahoe Pet Network.
For schedules of hearings on animal bills and information on how you can become involved, contact Beverlee McGrath, Legislative Specialist & Special Projects for Best Friends Animal Society, ASPCA, Action for Animals, PawPac, Nevada Humane Society, and Nevada Political Action for Animals, (775) 815-1690, BevDDAL ( @ ) msn dot com, helpanimalsnv dot org; http://www dot facebook dot com/HelpAnimalsNV
Contact: Beverlee McGrath
Tel: (775) 815-1690
Email: bevddal ( @ ) msn dot com
###
space
space
Satisfied Users & 
Approved Press Releases
Print
Email
Report Spam