Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles about Ohio Senate Bill 130, a new law governing high-volume dog breeders, and its implications for the State and Knox County.\r
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By BILL AMICK News Staff Writer MOUNT VERNON — Seven years in the making, Ohio Senate Bill 130, also known as the Puppy Mill Bill, becomes law this week. Supporters of the legislation, that regulates large dog-breeding operations, see it as evidence that man is dog’s best friend. Others view it as an inadequate step forward. Still others — from both sides of a bitter conflict between breeders and animal-rights activists — oppose the law. But love or hate it, SB130 brings highvolume breeders under Ohio Department of Agriculture jurisdiction.\r
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Some breeders think SB130 goes too far and merely adds a layer of bureaucracy to existing, adequate regulations. They say substandard breeders are few and seldom last long in the business. But legislators and groups promoting animal welfare contend that Ohio has historically allowed cruel conditions in what amount to dog factories. Many worry that SB130 may be too watered-down to achieve much.\r
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“We see the law as a long way from a solution,” said Mary O’Connor-Shaver, who serves as a spokesperson for groups including the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions. “Is it a step in the right direction? I don’t believe so, given that one of Ohio’s largest breeders, who has repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act, supports the law. That to me is a huge red flag that something is terribly amiss.” The U.S. Humane Society agrees that SB130 isn’t ideal, but supported the legislation championed by State Senator Jim Hughes, a Columbus Republican.\r
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“It’s the first step in addressing unregulated commercial dog breeding in Ohio,” said Karen Minton, the society’s State Director. “Ohio has long had a black eye for being one of the leading puppy-milling states. High volume breeders charged with animal cruelty would simply pack up shop and move to Ohio. The bill could be stronger, but we could also be without a bill, which would leave thousands of dogs in currently unregulated facilities to languish. Dogs have suffered long enough.” \r
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Among groups representing the interests of commercial dog breeders are the Ohio Association of Animal Owners (OAAO) and the Ohio Professional Dog Breeders Association. \r
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SPECIAL NOTE! The Ohio Professional Dog Breeders Association, whose primary membership is comprised of Amish 'puppy mill' breeders, is one of the largest financial contributors to House Agriculture & Natural Resources Chairman, Dave Hall (R-70)\r
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“We opposed SB130 in the beginning,” OAAO Legislative Agent Polly Britton said, “but after securing several amendments we withdrew our opposition and assumed an ‘interested party’ position.” \r
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OAAO’s president is Vicky Galle, a Mount Vernon area resident who wears several hats and is a part-time breeder of German and Australian Shepherds\r
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“SB130 is livable for everyone,” Galle said. “It’s not a bad law, and if you can’t live with it you shouldn’t be breeding dogs.” \r
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SPECIAL NOTE! See attached files of Vicky's March 17, 2010 USDA Inspection Report (includes 10 indirect and one repeat violation). Ms. Galle canceled her license on April 2, 2010.\r
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Hope you Both are locked in a tiny Filthy cage like All the dogs you've abused and continue to abuse!!
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