ACTION NEEDED – PLEASE CALL NOW!

SPEAK UP FOR MN DOGS AND CATS

The Dog and Cat Breeder Regulation bill – H.F. 84 – is going to be heard in the House Civil Law Committee on Wednesday, February 13, at 8:15 a.m.

Please call all of the members on the committee before Wednesday and ask them to vote in favor of H.F. 84 and not to accept any amendments that would weaken it.  We need to protect Minnesota dogs and cats who are forced to live in substandard and deplorable conditions.  You can also leave your message with the Representative’s legislative assistant because it is hard to reach legislators directly.  If you are a constituent of one of the committee members listed below, be sure he/she knows that.

For additional talking points, we have provided those below the committee members’ names and numbers.  Please keep your message short and respectful.

Thank you for caring and taking action!

Stop the Suffering

House Civil Law Committee Members

Representative John Lesch – no need to call him – he is the author of H.F. 84 and the Chair of this committee

Representative Susan Allen (District 62B) – 651–296-7152
Representative Mark Anderson (District 9A) – 651-296-4293
Representative Debra Hilstrom (District 40B) – 651-296-3709
Representative Mary Liz Holberg (District 58A) – 651-296-6926
Representative Melissa Hortman (District 36B) – 651-296-4280
Representative Jeff Howe (District 13A) – 651-296-4373
Representative Brian Johnson (District 32A) – 651-296-4346
Representative Tina Liebling (District 26A) – 651-296-0573
Representative Jim Newberger (District 15B) – 651-296-2451
Representative Michael Paymar (District 64B) (coauthor) – 651-296-4199
Representative Cindy Pugh (District 33B) – 651-296-4315
Representative Paul Rosenthal (District 49B) – 651-296-7803
Representative Peggy Scott (District 35B) – 651-296-4231
Representative Steve Simon (District 46B) – 651-296-9889
Representative Ryan Winkler (District 46A) – 651-296-7026
Representative Barb Yarusso (District 42A) – 651-296-0141

The Problem
There is no State law to license, inspect or regulate commercial dog and cat breeders in Minnesota.  The problem is inhumane breeding practices.  Minnesota is among the top producers of puppies in the United States with some of the largest breeding kennels in the nation – housing 300, 600 or over 1,000 dogs and puppies.  Kittens are also mass-produced in Minnesota .  Many dogs and cats live out their lives in small, overcrowded wire cages and are bred repeatedly.  Their cages are often stacked, allowing feces and urine to fall onto the animals below.  Animals may be malnourished from inadequate food and water, receive little or no veterinary care, are stressed from constant confinement and neglect, have fleas, worms, etc.  Many have deformed paws, are severely matted, or are burned from sitting and standing in urine and feces.  And, they are rarely, if at all, provided human socialization.

While many breeders in Minnesota act responsibly, there are those who keep dogs and cats in deplorable conditions and are willing to make a profit at the expense of the animal’s health and wellbeing.  The puppies and kittens are sold to the public and many are sick, diseased, and have genetic problems.

The Solution
H.F. 84 addresses the problem by giving the State of Minnesota the authority to:
License – Require commercial dog and cat breeders in Minnesota to be licensed;
Inspect and Enforce – Give legal authority to the MN Board of Animal Health to inspect commercial dog and cat breeding facilities and enforce existing State laws to ensure animal care standards are met; and
Penalties – Impose civil, administrative and criminal penalties for those who violate the law.

 

For more information, go to www.animalfolksmn.org