A proposed bill in the state senate aiming to crack down on puppy mills has upset local breeders and politicians who say it is too broad and would drive up costs.
Senate Bill 95, sponsored by two senate Republicans, intends to tighten license requirements and care standards for dog breeding kennels
dog intermediaries and animal rescues for dogs.
I don't think (the bill) was written by anyone who has any experience with dogs said Barbara Bawden, a dog breeder in Athens County.
Supporters of the bill insist that the new measures are greatly needed.
(This bill is) not about putting people out of business. We're trying to set basic standards of care for Ohio's dogs said Kellie DiFrischia, the president of Columbus Dog Connection, a dog rescue.
One section of the bill would mandate that all metal fences be covered in order to stop dogs from chewing on metal.
So the dogs chew through the vinyl coating and ingest it and then chew on the metal. How is that better for the dogs? Bawden asked.
After hearing from constituents on both sides of the fence, Sen. Jimmy Stewart, R-20, remains apprehensive about the possible effect for smaller breeders.
He said he worries that new restrictions could get too pricey for smaller breeders.
The bill requires $5,000 in insurance coverage for breeding kennels keeping between one and 25 adult dogs.
If a breeding kennel has 26 to 50 adult dogs, breeders must pay $10,000 for insurance coverage, and kennels with more than 50 adult dogs must pay $50,000 for insurance.
The new minimum standards are ones that most small breeders already meet, DiFrischia said.
Bawden sells Australian Shepherds, which do not fetch price tags in the thousands of dollars range making high insurance premiums difficult to manage.
If (the bill) is passed it will be a very costly for smaller breeders
Jeff Koon, Athens County Dog warden, said.
Koon added that the majority of the breeders in Athens County raise hunting dogs, and as far as puppy mills
we don't have a problem.
Even if the bill instates stricter laws, locals are skeptical that the restrictions could be enforced.
I think the bill is well- intentioned
but I have questions on whether or not it'd be enforced
he said.
With Ohio facing serious financial problems, finding a way to support these new measures will be difficult, Stewart added.
Even if the state could afford to fund and enforce new measures, Stewart still questions whether or not legislation would fix the problem.
I'd like to think that this bill could fix this problem
but you'll always have your good actors and bad actors. What needs to change is the attitude we take about this issue
he said.
Although Ohio's Revised Code has legislation to curb dog abuse, there are no legal standards about breeding dogs, DiFrischia said.
Because of our absent breeding kennel standards
Ohio has put out the welcome mat for convicted dog abusers. That needs to stop
she added.
