A bill aimed at stopping the puppy-mill pipeline to pet stores didn’t gain traction in the recent legislative session, but supporters say they haven’t given up.
In House Bill No. 5386, lawmakers considered language that would have prohibited pet shops from selling or trading dogs, cats or rabbits that are not sourced from animal welfare organizations or animal control units.
Bill sponsor State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan (D-2) of Bethel indicated this week he plans to bring it up in session next year. Allie-Brennan has called negligence in the pet shop industry a “very real problem” in Connecticut.
“We worked tirelessly to convince the legislature to take decisive action that would end the practice of importing cruelly bred animals into our state,” Allie-Brennan said Tuesday. “We are profoundly disappointed that the House was unable to call it to the floor this session. I will continue to advocate for this important bill during the next session and will redouble my efforts to work with the groups that support this legislation.”
Supporters of the proposal have called it necessary to help prevent animal abuse. The Humane Society of the United States estimates there are 10,000 puppy mills in the country. The term “puppy mill” refers to unscrupulous breeders who overbreed designer or purebred pets for profit, instead of focusing on the animals’ quality of life and health.
During public hearings, detractors cautioned lawmakers to study the issue more thoroughly before taking any action. Some pet-shop owners asserted that people will still want purebred animals, and they may turn to out-of-state breeders to get them. They want lawmakers to study how similar laws have fared in states like California, to avoid any potential negative consequences for businesses and animals.
The bill was voted out of the Environment Committee with a provision calling for more research and recommendations from the Department of Agriculture. The provision asked the DOA to review California’s requirement that pet shops offer dogs, cats and rabbits for sale only if they are from a municipal animal shelter or rescue organization, then report back by Jan. 1, 2020 on how well it is working or if there are negative issues related to enforcement or business impacts.
In early May, Allie-Brennan joined with animal-rights groups to advocate for an amendment to the bill which would have prohibited Connecticut pet shops from selling dogs, cats and rabbits “originating from puppy mills and other cruel commercial breeding facilities.”
Laura (Peach) Reid, president and CEO of Fish Mart in West Haven and chair of the board of directors for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), had advocated for a more thorough review. Reid has been in business for 45 years, and she sells fish and birds, but not puppies or kittens.
According to Reid, pet shops in the state are already subject to rigid regulations. Before lawmakers make any change, she would like to see a study of how well existing Connecticut laws are working.
“We currently have strict standards and requirements, and we think they have been very effective,” Reid said. “My hope is that lawmakers will see we don’t need a ban like they have in California. There is a lot of emotion involved because we all love animals, but we should be making factual decisions.”
“I am not surprised that the bill’s sponsor will try again,” Reid said. “We will work on getting our message out there.”
Reid also wants Connecticut lawmakers to study the impact of California’s law, which she asserted is causing some unscrupulous breeders to go “underground.”
Since California’s law passed, there have been media reports of breeders creating phony rescue organizations to circumvent the requirement that animals come from welfare organizations.
PHOTO | Shutterstock
Mike Bober, president and CEO of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, said he appreciates the General Assembly’s “thoughtful approach to this important issue.”
“Instead of rushing to adopt legislation that is already having significant unintended consequences for families, pets, and responsible small businesses in California, Connecticut can now review the outcomes from the responsible sourcing requirements that have been in place for five years as well as the effects in California as they continue to emerge,” he said. “We are eager to work with everyone who cares about the health and well-being of pets to ensure Connecticut continues to be a national leader in animal care.”
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com
