INDIANAPOLIS– A so-called “Anti-Puppy Mill” bill is going through the General Assembly. However, several animal welfare advocates are arguing the bill is anything but.
The ‘Canine Standards of Care’ Bill (HB 1412) passed its second reading in the House on Thursday. Part of the bill would overturn 21 local ordinances across Indiana that either ban pet stores from selling dogs from puppy mills, or ban them from selling dogs and cats entirely.
”We know that 99 percent of dogs that are sourced to pet stores are coming from puppy mills,” Samantha Chapman, the Indiana State Director of the Humane Society of the United States, said.
According to Chapman, the bill would allow the Indiana Board of Animal Health (or BOAH for short) to oversee pet stores and animal shelters—a move she said is toothless.
”We’re very concerned that this bill really allows pet stores to continue to operate under the status quo,” Chapman said.
”I have a real problem with enforcement on this,” Adam Assen, VP of the Carmel City Council, said.