The Large-Scale Commercial

Dog Breeder ActHB 4898 / SB 339

Getting to the Goal

September 15, 2016

Speaker: Pam Sordyl

HB 4898/SB 339:

The Large-Scale Commercial Dog Breeder Act

> 15 intact female dogs used for the primary purpose of breeding

Annual license fee $500

MDARD to establish minimal standards (i.e. housing, sanitary conditions, enclosure space, exercise, and veterinary care of dogs).

Prohibits selling puppies at less than 8 weeks of age.

HB 4898/SB 339:

The Large-Scale Commercial Dog Breeder Act

Require vaccinations, parasite treatment and health certificates signed by a veterinarian, annual reporting, and daily record-keeping.

Help to prevent inhumane puppy mills from establishing themselves in Michigan.

Help to prevent large-scale cruelty or neglect cases.

SB 339 includes a cap of 50 dogs.

Stops puppy mills from coming to Michigan

Indiana supplier to The Family Puppy (Novi, Flint, Troy).

200 Dogs Active Kennel

Type: USDA Commercial

Prevents large-scale cruelty

A problem Barry County kennel that relocated to Missaukee County.

175 Dogs Seized 2013

Type: Hoarder / Exploiter

Type: Hoarder / Exploiter

> 50 GoldensActive Kennel

Oakland County

Prevents large-scale cruelty

>75 Dogs Seized 2010

Livingston County

Midland County

~ 40 DogsSurrendered 2015

Protects animals in large-scale kennels

Type: Backyard Breeder

Protects animals in large-scale kennels

Branch County

~85 DogsCommercial USDA

License Cancelled

~ 85 DogsCommercial USDA

License Revoked

Type: USDA Commercial (both repeat violators of the Animal Welfare Act

Calhoun County

Current status of HB 4898

• (September 22, 2015) Introduced by Rep.

Mike McCready (R-Oakland County)

– Co-sponsors: Kurt Heise, Harvey Santana,

Christine Greig, Klint Kesto, Ken Yonker, Ed

Canfield, John Kivela, Gary Glenn,

Mike Callton, Al Pscholka, Earl Poleski

• (October 21, 2015)Passed the House

Appropriations Committee

• (March 2, 2016) Passed the full House by

a vote of 82 to 20

– so your Representative has already voted

• Referred to the Senate Agriculture

Committee

• (December 31, 2016) This session ends.

Common arguments

from opposition

“We already have an animal cruelty law

in Michigan. Why do we need to impose

regulations on breeders?”

“Won’t this start that ‘slippery slope’

toward ending all dog breeding?”

“Dog breeders know what they are doing,

they will monitor themselves just fine.

They don’t need more regulations.”

Questions?

Backup slides

Bill History

Prevents large-scale crueltyAllegan CountyType: Hoarder / Exploiter

>350 Dogs Seized 2012