Jan 18, 2009 4:20 pm US/Central
Illinois Legislation Targets Puppy Mills
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Chloe, a young spaniel rescued from a puppy mill, is the inspiration behind state legislation to impose tighter regulations on the pet industry in Illinois.
A new law is being proposed in Springfield to crack down on puppy mills and regulate pet stores.
The proposed legislation follows disclosures by the CBS 2 Investigators about a bad breeder supplying puppies to pet stores in Illinois. Pam Zekman reports on how bill will protect both puppies and consumers.
Under the new law, pet stores would have to disclose detailed information about a puppy's health history and breeder.
"If they walk into a pet store and it doesn't have the information they are required to have, that should send a big red flag right away," sponsoring state Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago, said.
The red flag may suggest the puppy comes from a mill like the one run by a Minnesota breeder first exposed by CBS 2. As we disclosed, injured dogs were not given vet care and emaciated pregnant mothers gave birth to sick puppies.
"I don't know how anybody could see the work that was done in the Channel 2 piece and not be broken-hearted," Fritchey said.
The proposed new law is called "Chloe's bill" after a puppy rescued from a
a puppy mill in rural central Illinois last August. Chloe was one of 55 sick dogs housed in overcrowded, dangerous and filthy conditions.
"She stood up and looked at me when I picked her up," Roy Austin, the Macon County animal care warden had to take her home, said as he appeared with the dog at a news conference. "The rest was history there with this one."
Among other things, Chloe's bill would prohibit Illinois breeders from keeping dogs in tiny cages and requires that breeders provide them with adequate heat, ventilation and veterinary care.
"We will make sure that dogs bred in Illinois will be bred under humane conditions," Fritchey said.
Under the new law, the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation would license and regulate breeders and have the power to shut down puppy mills like the one Chloe was rescued from.
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