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Current Situation We need better laws in Iowa to protect companion animals. We will achieve this by encouraging the introduction and passage of bills in the Iowa legislature.  Our current focus is on laws to protect breeding adult dogs in the 400+ puppy mills in Iowa. According to USDA data there are more than 23,000 adult dogs in Iowa's puppy mills!
Currently, Iowa law is interpreted as forbidding state oversight. This interpretation is also used by law enforcement and others as justification for not investigating reports of animal abuse in Iowa's puppy mills. The Puppy Mill Bill A bill was introduced in the 2009 legislature by Representatives Jim Lykam (D, District 85) and Mark Kuhn (D, District 14) and Senator Joe Seng (D, District 43) which called for Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) oversight of USDA commercial dog breeding facilities in Iowa. Specifically, the bill would have allowed IDALS to investigate kennels "upon receipt of a complaint". This bill, which was referred to as The Puppy Mill Bill, caused quite a commotion at our Capitol! Similar bills had been introduced twice before. Both times the bill was "killed", never even being assigned to a committee. See How A Bill Becomes a Law. But this last time was different. It was different because of all the wonderful Iowans who have offered to help fight this fight! The Puppy Mill Bill was one of the top 3 most-discussed bill in the 2009 legislature! Primarily because of all the calls and emails from constituents who want to see a change! We'll be taking this issue up with the legislature again in 2010; asking for an increase in the state oversight of USDA commercial licensed breeding facilities... because it is needed! Go to the USDA Inspection Reports to see irrefutable data which demonstrates the need. Your Senator and Representative Find your state senator/representative's contact information During the legislative session you will be asked to contact your legislators frequently. Suggestions for content of your email, letter or phone call will be provided on the Correspondence page... but remember, the more personalized the correspondence the better. Always include an account of your personal experiences with an animal-welfare issue. |
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