Puppy Mill Solution Paper
Puppy Mills in America: The Need for Stricter Federal Laws
Laura Wesley
Marygrove College
Abstract:
This paper explores the existence and legislation of puppy mills in the United States at both the state and federal levels. The extent of the problem is discussed, along with a brief history of the Animal Welfare Act and animal advocacy efforts in effect today. Causes and consequences of the commercial dog breeding industry are presented and examined, leading up to a proposed solution to regulating the commercial dog breeding industry. The author reveals ways in which the proposed solution should be carried out.
Puppy Mills in America: The Need for Stricter Federal Laws The last time you saw a cute puppy in a pet store window did you happen to think about where exactly that puppy came from, what kind of life it had before, or where its mother is? According to the National Mill Dog Rescue, 99% of puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills, and almost every puppy sold in a pet store has a mother who will spend her entire life in a tiny cage, never being petted, never being walked, never being treated like a dog. Based on those facts alone, it is not difficult to imagine the vast number of innocent, voiceless dogs forced to suffer their entire lives for the sole purpose of profit. The ASPCA states that A puppy mill is a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation that places profit over the well-being of its dogs—who are often severely neglected—and acts without regard to responsible breeding practices. Regardless of the intense suffering of these dogs, puppy mills are operating all over the U.S. (ASPCA). Despite any public attention to the issue and animal activists struggling to push for stricter regulation of commercial dog dealers, the federal agency in charge of the industry has failed to curtail the extensive abuse through the inadequate regulations that are currently in force.
Causes and Background While one might hold the
Laura Wesley
Marygrove College
Abstract:
This paper explores the existence and legislation of puppy mills in the United States at both the state and federal levels. The extent of the problem is discussed, along with a brief history of the Animal Welfare Act and animal advocacy efforts in effect today. Causes and consequences of the commercial dog breeding industry are presented and examined, leading up to a proposed solution to regulating the commercial dog breeding industry. The author reveals ways in which the proposed solution should be carried out.
Puppy Mills in America: The Need for Stricter Federal Laws The last time you saw a cute puppy in a pet store window did you happen to think about where exactly that puppy came from, what kind of life it had before, or where its mother is? According to the National Mill Dog Rescue, 99% of puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills, and almost every puppy sold in a pet store has a mother who will spend her entire life in a tiny cage, never being petted, never being walked, never being treated like a dog. Based on those facts alone, it is not difficult to imagine the vast number of innocent, voiceless dogs forced to suffer their entire lives for the sole purpose of profit. The ASPCA states that A puppy mill is a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation that places profit over the well-being of its dogs—who are often severely neglected—and acts without regard to responsible breeding practices. Regardless of the intense suffering of these dogs, puppy mills are operating all over the U.S. (ASPCA). Despite any public attention to the issue and animal activists struggling to push for stricter regulation of commercial dog dealers, the federal agency in charge of the industry has failed to curtail the extensive abuse through the inadequate regulations that are currently in force.
Causes and Background While one might hold the
References: ASPCA. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/puppy- mills/laws-that-protect-dogs.aspx Cowan, T. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RS22493.pdf Henry Cohen, THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT, Journal of Animal Law, Volume 2, 2006, 13. Kenny, K. (2011). A local approach to a national problem: local ordinances as a means of curbing puppy mill production and pet overpopulation. Albany Law Review, 75(1), 379. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.library.marygrove.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA2 85459860&v=2.1&u=lom_marygrove&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w McMillan F.D., Duffy D.L., Serpell J.A. Mental health of dogs formerly used as 'breeding stock ' in commercial breeding establishments (2011) Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 135 (1-2) , pp. 86-94. National mill dog rescue breeding responsibility action kit. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.milldogrescue.org/Action Kit - Community Fundraiser.pdf Pet overpopulation crisis. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.socialcompassioninlegislation.org/scil-home.php Rowan, A. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.humanesociety.org/animal_community/resources/timelines/animal_sheltering _trends.html