Governor vetoes anti-puppy mill bill - OC Watchdog - OCRegister.com
Governor vetoes anti-puppy mill bill
October 12th, 2009, 1:49 pm · 26 Comments · posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
schwarzenegger-and-dogIt passed in the state Assembly, and it passed the state Senate, but it died this weekend on the governor’s desk.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed The Puppy Mill bill (otherwise known as Assembly Bill 241, The Responsible Breeder Act of 2009.)
“This measure would make it a crime for any person or entity to own or control more than 50 unsterilized adult dogs or cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets,” Schwarzenegger wrote in his veto message.
“I support measures designed to prevent animal cruelty and that punish persons engaged in the abuse of animals. However, this measure simply goes too far in an attempt to address the serious problem of puppy mills. An arbitrary cap on the number of animals any entity can possess throughout the state will not end unlawful, inhumane breeding practices. Instead this measure has the potential to criminalize the lawful activities of reputable breeders, pet stores, kennels, and charitable organizations engaged in raising service and assistance dogs.”
Similar legislation limiting the number of dogs in puppy mills passed last year in Louisiana and Virginia.
“It’s embarrassing, we are so behind on so many issues,” said Judie Mancuso, the Orange County force behind the Puppy Mill bill and the Snip-the-Roamers spay-neuter bill. (You can read her initial thoughts over here). ”California is supposed to be a leader, but we’re just dragging our knuckles along.”
puppy_mills_1It passed both houses of the Legislature with bipartisan support.
The law would have limited the number of “intact” cats or dogs a seller can maintain to 50. Supporters said it wouldn’t impact animal shelters, research facilities, pet stores, veterinarians, groomers or boarding facilities, while opponents said it would.
“Why does anyone need to have more than 50breeding animals on their property?” Mancuso asked. “Having too many animals on your property is really the root of the cruelty in these puppy mills. When you have 200 animals stacked up in cages, sitting in excrement, standing on wires, not getting out to be exercised, it’s cruel. Bringing down the numbers would help in so many ways.”
Next steps? Mancuso is fielding hundreds of emails from others as shocked by the veto as she was. The bill was carried by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, and there will be discussion about how to proceed - after the mourning period is over.
“People have been asking if there’s anything they can do,” Mancuso said. “The only thing I can tell them is, ‘vote for a Democrat for governor.’”
Should Schwarzenegger have vetoed the bill? Vote in our poll here.
October 12th, 2009, 1:49 pm · 26 Comments · posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
schwarzenegger-and-dogIt passed in the state Assembly, and it passed the state Senate, but it died this weekend on the governor’s desk.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed The Puppy Mill bill (otherwise known as Assembly Bill 241, The Responsible Breeder Act of 2009.)
“This measure would make it a crime for any person or entity to own or control more than 50 unsterilized adult dogs or cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets,” Schwarzenegger wrote in his veto message.
“I support measures designed to prevent animal cruelty and that punish persons engaged in the abuse of animals. However, this measure simply goes too far in an attempt to address the serious problem of puppy mills. An arbitrary cap on the number of animals any entity can possess throughout the state will not end unlawful, inhumane breeding practices. Instead this measure has the potential to criminalize the lawful activities of reputable breeders, pet stores, kennels, and charitable organizations engaged in raising service and assistance dogs.”
Similar legislation limiting the number of dogs in puppy mills passed last year in Louisiana and Virginia.
“It’s embarrassing, we are so behind on so many issues,” said Judie Mancuso, the Orange County force behind the Puppy Mill bill and the Snip-the-Roamers spay-neuter bill. (You can read her initial thoughts over here). ”California is supposed to be a leader, but we’re just dragging our knuckles along.”
puppy_mills_1It passed both houses of the Legislature with bipartisan support.
The law would have limited the number of “intact” cats or dogs a seller can maintain to 50. Supporters said it wouldn’t impact animal shelters, research facilities, pet stores, veterinarians, groomers or boarding facilities, while opponents said it would.
“Why does anyone need to have more than 50breeding animals on their property?” Mancuso asked. “Having too many animals on your property is really the root of the cruelty in these puppy mills. When you have 200 animals stacked up in cages, sitting in excrement, standing on wires, not getting out to be exercised, it’s cruel. Bringing down the numbers would help in so many ways.”
Next steps? Mancuso is fielding hundreds of emails from others as shocked by the veto as she was. The bill was carried by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, and there will be discussion about how to proceed - after the mourning period is over.
“People have been asking if there’s anything they can do,” Mancuso said. “The only thing I can tell them is, ‘vote for a Democrat for governor.’”
Should Schwarzenegger have vetoed the bill? Vote in our poll here.
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