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Governor Culver was joined by state legislators, animal activists, and the first dog of Iowa, Buck, as he signed legislation cracking down on puppy mills today. Charlotte Eby wrote a report for the Cedar Rapids Gazette:
Gov. Chet Culver put dog breeding facilities that treat their animals inhumanely on notice Tuesday, signing a bill that allows state inspectors into facilities when they receive complaints.
The Legislature passed the bill after hearing details of animal abuse occurring inside so-called "puppy mills." Activists said many animals used for breeding live nearly their entire lives in cages, sometimes without adequate food and water and veterinary care.
Culver said the vast majority of breeders, kennels, pet shops and animal shelters obey existing animal protection laws and have nothing to fear by the legislation.
“But to any facility currently operating as a puppy mill, or to those who raise companion animals in unhygienic and inhumane settings, now is the time for you to change course or pay the consequences,” Culver said.