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What’s Up With Wisconsin?

March 21, 2008, 8:39PM MT

By Kelli Ohrtman

It’s a “problem state” for puppy mills. Legislators will consider an in-depth study (but they need to hear from you!)

It’s a “problem state” for puppy mills. Legislators will consider an in-depth study (but they need to hear from you!)

UPDATE: From Eilene Ribbens-Rhode of No Wisconsin Puppy Mills: It is my understanding that this process is now complete and that puppy mills in Wisconsin did NOT make the "cut" for the Legislative Council Studies.

We have met with Representative Wieckert and he has assured us that he will continue to work with those interested in or effected by legislation and will find legislators to "pick up the bill" once he is gone from office. In case you haven't heard, Rep Wieckert is not seeking re-election. We will keep updates on our web site www.NoWisconsinPuppyMills.org -Eilene

By Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends Network

Wisconsin has been a hotbed of activity in the world of commercial pet breeding—especially in the past two weeks. It’s been the stuff of Hollywood; shifty characters alleged to be in violation of the law, “warm fuzzies” when dogs are rescued from that life, and the high drama of a dog auction, complete with picketing. And this chapter ends with a cliffhanger: will lawmakers do something about the problem?

Here’s a recap:

-March 6: Wood County, WI: 84 dogs in deplorable conditions (click here for the story)

-March 12: Marquette County, WI: —64 dogs in deplorable conditions (click here for the story)

-March 12: Dog auction is held in Thorp, WI. Animal lovers show up to protest the event. (click here for the story)

-March 13: Representative Steve Wieckert (R-Appleton) announces that Wisconsin puppy mills could be one of the topics considered for an in-depth study by the Wisconsin Legislative Council. (Click here for more information)

Wisconsin is one of the many states that doesn’t regulate dog breeders. Bills have been introduced, but despite repeated news coverage of the problem, and several kennels known to keep over a thousand dogs, nothing has changed. The state ranks 15th in the country for the most USDA-licensed commercial dog breeding kennels (there are 109 combined Class A and B breeders in WI.) However, that number is a miniscule section of the total number of commercial kennels in the state, which could be as high as 2,000, says the WI Puppy Mill Project. So, if the USDA only licenses and inspects 109 of the state’s kennels, who checks the other 1,891? Unless the breeders happen to be in a county that requires some kind of license and inspection, then no one does.

YOU Can Help Make History
Before the end of March, two key legislators have to choose just eight out of 75 suggested topics for the state to launch in-depth studies. Puppy mills is on that list of considerations among many other, unrelated issues. A press release from Rep. Wieckert’s office states: “These study groups are assembled to help find solutions to Wisconsin’s problems as well as to better prepare for specific challenges that Wisconsin may face in the future.”

The fact that puppy mills made it onto that list is big news—now they just need to choose it as a study topic!

Call, Write, Fax—it only takes a minute
The Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project urges everyone to contact the two legislators who will be choosing study topics. With any luck, the study will show lawmakers and the public that large-scale commercial breeding kennels should be regulated in Wisconsin.

For detailed instructions and contact information, CLICK HERE

Need more information to convince you that this needs to happen in Wisconsin? Read on by clicking the links below:

“Concern grows over puppy mills in the state following several high profile cases of abuse.”Click here to read this article, posted March 17th

“From Puppy Mill to Pet Shop: The truth exposed about one large-scale breeder in Wisconsin.” Click here to read this article, posted April 28th

Comments

Posted March 25, 2008, 1:0PM by anner

Wisconsin.....Tell everyone you meet "Don't Breed or Buy While Homeless Animals Die"!!!!

Posted April 01, 2008, 5:21AM by go_cat_go

angelsmom, I am not sure what happened to the link, but the decision on the study topics is already made, and puppy mills did NOT make the list.

Posted April 03, 2008, 12:36AM by mimi

I'm hopeful that the Wisconsin puppy mill fighters will get a boost from Oprah's April 4 show on puppy mills. Fingers crossed!

Posted March 31, 2008, 5:48AM by angelsmom

The link "for detailed instruction and contact information" doesn't work. It does refer to a site and I went to it and it is more about the Wisconsin animal mills, and it says to contact Wisconsin legislators, but doesn't say how or who they are.

Posted April 02, 2008, 8:7PM by kellio

Hi all,

I just posted the update that puppy mills didn't make the cut--little late, but there it is. I suppose the web pages were taken down after the decisions were made. It's good to hear that the folks in Wisconsin are still forging ahead with the fight against puppy mills in their state. Way to go Wisconsin anti-puppy mill people! Hang in there.