Senate takes steps to curb puppy mills

HARTFORD, Conn. – Animal advocates say legislation approved by the Senate Wednesday night will help reduce the sale of dogs and cats in Connecticut that were bred under the worst of conditions.

Senators discarded a plan that advocates had been pushing, which would have banned the sale of commercially bred puppies from all future pet stores in Connecticut. The proposal came from the recommendations of task force to curb the use of “puppy mills,” a term for commercial breeders where dogs are produced in high numbers and in inhumane conditions.

The idea was opposed by the state’s pet shops. Instead, lawmakers unanimously passed a compromise proposal which stops pet shops from selling animals purchased from breeders that have been cited for direct violations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The bill contains other provisions which increase reimbursements consumers can get if they buy sick animals and enables state regulators to fine pet stores for violations.

See the complete story at CT News Junkie.