‘The animals of Kentucky have suffered enough’: Bill that would allow puppy mill sales in pet stores

Senate Bill 157 introduced in Frankfort last week. It's a bill that would allow the sale of puppy and kitten mill animals in pet stores.

Lexington, Ky (WTVQ): Senate Bill 157 introduced in Frankfort last week. It’s a bill that would allow the sale of puppy and kitten mill animals in pet stores.

Anita Spreitzer, Vice President for Paws 4 The Cause, says if Senate Bill 157 passes, more animals will continue to die. “This year we have seen thousands and thousands of dogs die in high kill shelters because of the fact that rescues are working so hard with the animals being dumped in rural areas right now. Most of those dogs are from puppy mills,” said Spreitzer.

SB 157 would overturn existing ordinances in Elizabethtown, Radcliff and Louisville that stops the sale of puppies or kittens from breeding facilities. This bill would also prevent additional ordinances from being enacted. Spreitzer says bills like this have been defeated all across the country. “You need to let your representatives know, enough is enough. The animals of Kentucky have suffered enough, and somethings got to give and the laws need to change,” she said.

Todd Blevins, the Kentucky State Director for the Humane Society of the United States, says Petland, an international pet store chain is pushing to get this bill passed. “We know that the pet stores that sell puppies are sourcing them from puppy mills,” he said. “They’re not getting them from your local mom and pop breeder or from shelters and rescue, if they’re selling them.”

Petland has a store in Lexington and Spreitzer says Petland is looking to open a big store in Louisville. Currently, hundreds of puppies are in shelters. “There’s nowhere for them to go, there’s so many animals out there right now, ” she said.  “Think about our local shelters and rescues. They already have an influx of animals as it is, it’s code red for a lot of shelters and rescues out there and this will only make the problem worse,” Blevins said.

This bill comes after Lexington council members announced plans to introduce an ordinance to ban the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores. If you wish to express an opinion on this bill, you can call the Legislative Message Line at 1-800-372-7181.