Legislation regulating large-scale dog and cat breeders passed in the Texas House of Representatives on Tuesday, with all Central Texas’ Democrats voting in favor of the bill and most Republicans opposing the measure, I might add.
Some conservatives say its overreaching regulation, but I say, if we simply do nothing to protect these animals then who will?
If approved by the Senate, the “puppy mill bill” would require:
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to license and regulate dog and cat breeders and dealers with 11 or more breeding females
- Large-scale breeders to provide adequate space to allow the animal to "comfortably stand, sit, turn around and lie down in a natural position" and prohibit the stacking of cages so feces and urine wouldn't fall onto animals in lower cages
- At least one annual veterinary exam for each breeding animal
- Licensing and regulation department to establish eligibility rules for licenses, to conduct criminal background checks on applicants and to annually inspect each licensed breeding facility
Texas House members, for those of you would voted in favor of the "puppy mill bill," our animals thank you.