News
Iowa legislature passes dog breeder bill
Iowa lawmakers have passed a bill that would require more regulation of so-called “puppy mills” – but is seen as a threat to livestock agriculture by many. The bill – pushed hard by the Humane Society of the U.S. – is on its way to the governor after passing the Iowa Senate Monday. Senator David Johnson, a Republican from Ocheyedan voted against it, saying history in other states shows it’s the start of efforts to regulate livestock production, “They’re gonna be back next year, friends and colleagues. They’re gonna ask to restrict layer cages, they’re gonna ask to eliminate gestation crates for sows. They’re gonna make sure that our livestock has access to open air at all times – something like that, it’s coming.”
Senator Dick Dearden, a Democrat from Des Moines, agrees the bill would lead to attempts at more regulation.
“It’s not about ‘Fluffy’ and ‘Spot’ – these people, they’re out to stop hunting. They’re going to change agriculture if they have their way. And, you’ve already seen it in California.”
But Senator Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines who managed the bill on the floor of the Senate, calls the critic’s warnings “baloney” and “conspiracy theory.” McCoy says the bill explicitly exempts animal agriculture from the new oversight.
The bill would make more Iowa dog breeders subject to state oversight, and raises license fees on breeders to pay for the new inspections.
Radio Iowa contributed to this report
-
-
The legislature has not had a large impact on me yet, except for the liscensing fees. Increase!? Ha! the rates went from $20 a year to $175 dollars a year! this is insane. I have been liscensed for 6 years now with the state and they have never set one foot on my property. What am I getting for my money!????
So long, 4th and 14th Amendment Rights! It was nice knowin’ ya. Welcome to the People’s Republic of Iowa: Today, your pets; tomorrow, your livestock!