The images are painful to see. Rows of stacked cages, feces and urine falling through the wire floors onto the animals below. Outside with no bedding, no way to move, no veterinarian care. A life spent in a cage barely bigger than the animal itself. Imagine your pet there. How can this happen in Minnesota?
Unlike 28 states, Minnesota has no state law to license and regulate this industry. The intent of the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill is to protect these animals from inhumane breeding practices and conditions by giving the state the authority to license and regulate the dog and cat breeding industry.
Right now the bill is in the Agriculture committees of both the House and Senate. It has been prevented from reaching the full House and Senate. Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen and Represtative Mary Ellen Otremba serve on these committees, Otremba as chair of the committee. She has the power to give the bill a hearing and move it to the full floor for a vote.
We have the power to make changes. Legislators want to hear from their voters. Please contact your representatives and ask them to allow these bills to move to the full Legislature.
Wisconsin just passed their bill with unanimous votes in the House and Senate. Let's make it happen here.
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If you would like to join our effort to get these bills out of committee, please contact us at (320) 762-9045 or clelli@charter.net .
Kris Krieger, Osakis
Wendy Hyatt, Farwell
Carolyn Elliasen, Alexandria
