New York, NY – Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) was joined by her colleagues in government and animal advocates from across the state at a news conference and rally in support of her legislation, bill A.740-A/ S. 3753-A, which would empower local governments across the state to crackdown on puppy mills by regulating the source of the animals offered for sale in their jurisdictions. The group urged Governor Cuomo, who prosecuted bad breeders as Attorney General, to be the champion that the animals need, by signing the legislation into law.

Puppy mills are large-scale commercial breeders that place profit over the health of the animals in their custody. Puppy mill dogs are kept in filthy, cramped conditions. Some never leave their cages or see the light of day. Rarely provided with fresh food or water, some are so thin their vertebrae are clearly visible beneath their skin. If they become sick or injured, they do not receive medical care, but are left to suffer in squalor. They are forced to give birth to innumerable litters during their short lives. Most of the dogs offered for sale in boutiques and stores across the state are puppy mill dogs.

“Across the country and right here in New York State, consumers are being sold a bill of goods when they buy a dog and bring it home from the pet store,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan). “Unsuspecting families fall in love with the puppy dog eyes staring back at them from the pet store window. Sadly, because of the deplorable breeding practices, inhumane treatment and unsanitary conditions in puppy mills, many of these animals come with a host of expensive medical issues, saddling the family with thousands of dollars in veterinary bills.”

Families able to afford the cost of care are few and far between. More often, sick puppy mill animals are reluctantly dumped with the municipal shelter system, putting an additional strain on already financially burdened institutions, which have neither the resources to treat nor the space to home all of these sick animals. In the absence of the intervention of independent rescue organizations, which operate with huge hearts but tiny budgets, the animals will be euthanized.

According to Elinor Molbegott, Legal Counsel/ Animal Issues for Humane Society of New York and one of the bill’s earliest supporters, "Animals at puppy mills suffer from extreme neglect and are forced to live in deplorable conditions. But don’t just take our word for it. According to the Report of the USDA Office of Inspector General, animals at puppy mills were found with ticks all over their bodies, with untreated wounds, starving, and dead. Bill A. 740-A promotes the humane treatment of animals and protection of consumers by allowing municipalities to pass local laws governing puppy mills. We thank Assemblymember Rosenthal and Senator Grisanti for sponsoring this much needed legislation and securing its passage."

Once bill A.740-A/ S.3750-A is signed into law by Governor Cuomo it will allow local governments to get tough with puppy mills by requiring, among other things, that animals offered for sale in pet stores come from reputable breeders with no recent violations, that all animals offered for sale are spayed/neutered first or that only healthy animals, based upon a veterinarian report, can be offered for sale.

“The ASPCA thanks Assemblymember Rosenthal for her tireless efforts to push this bill forward and help others to realize that the commercial puppy trade leaves thousands of animals vulnerable to disease, injury and inhumane treatment each year,” said Bill Ketzer, Senior State Director of ASPCA Government Relations for the Northeast region. “By enacting this measure, Governor Cuomo will allow local governments to protect their bottom lines by alleviating the financial burdens placed on these municipalities – whose courts, not-for-profit animal shelters, and taxpayers currently absorb the costs associated with inhumane breeders and unwanted pet store dogs – thus expanding protections for their animals and communities as a whole.”

“A one-size-fits-all approach to pet dealer regulation constrains localities, which know the distinct needs and problems with animals in their communities,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. “This law, which is both an animal protection and consumer protection measure, will give municipalities the ability to say ‘no’ to puppy mills.”

Currently, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets regulates all sales of animals by pet dealers. Municipalities had the authority to local pet dealers until 2001 when, driven by an anti-animal lobby effort and against the opposition of then-Mayor of New York City and others, the State Legislature enacted the measure that deprived municipalities of the right to regulate the sale of dogs or cats in their jurisdictions.

While it is difficult to estimate the number of puppy mills that operate across the state because they oftentimes fly under the radar of both state and federal regulators, the impacts of this bill cannot be underscored.

“The puppy mill business is about mass producing dogs in cruel conditions and hiding unhealthy animals behind cute faces just so they can make a sale. They not only deceive pet store owners who sell them and animal lovers that buy them, but victimize these animals in cruel and unsanitary conditions before sending them on to pet stores with a variety of health and behavioral problems. Legislation A.740-A/S.3753-A, by Assemblymember Rosenthal and Senator Grisanti will finally allow local governments the authority to protect consumers from the sale of puppy mill dogs and move our community in a long overdue step in the humane direction toward eliminating puppy mills as a source for companion animals,” according to Dr. Andrew Kaplan, DVM, City Vet Care and The Toby Project.

Local governments are clamoring for the restoration of their authority: the New York City Council passed a resolution in favor of A.740-A/S.3750-A. The bill was also supported by the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials, the New York State Association of Counties and the New York State Association of Towns.

“New York’s municipalities deserve the right to effectively regulate the puppy mills and high volume pet breeders within their jurisdictions. This legislation will empower local governments to crack down on large-scale commercial puppy mills that continue to put profit before animal welfare,” said Brian Shapiro, New York State Director for The Humane Society of the United States. “We applaud the New York State Legislature for passing A.740a/S.3753a and urge Governor Cuomo to sign this popular legislation into law.”

New York State Senator Mark Grisanti (R/IP Buffalo), sponsor of the legislation in the New York State Senate said, “Giving localities local rule to govern how pet dealers are regulated will allow for greater enforcement of our laws governing our four-legged friends. Our companion animals deserve the strongest and most vigorous protections afforded under our laws. This local law preemption bill will allow for that. Getting this legislation passed both houses was a giant success, but ultimately we need this to become law. We need all of us working together to get the Governor to sign this bill because families want pets, not puppy mill dogs!”

“The League of Humane Voters of New York fully supports the enactment of bill A.740-A, sponsored by Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. The bill would allow municipalities to regulate the sale of pets from puppy mill facilities within its jurisdiction. New York is a large and diverse state, home rule should be the rule, not the exception on issues where communities have different approaches to a problem. The bill has passed both chambers of the New York State Legislature and just awaits Governor Cuomo’s signature. We ask Governor Cuomo to confirm the right of localities to make humane decisions demanded by their communities,” said Peter Muller, Chair, League of Humane Voters of New York.

“The regulation of puppy mills is long overdue,” said New York State Senator José Serrano. “Our beloved animal friends who contribute so much to our lives, are often the most abused and mistreated. This bill will advocate for our voiceless companions by providing necessary oversight of pet dealers, crack down on deplorable practices, and help lessen the number of stray animals in New York. I am proud to support this great piece of legislation drafted by Assemblywoman Rosenthal and I urge the Governor to promptly sign it into law." concluded Serrano.

“I was pleased to co-sponsor and vote for the Senate version of Assemblymember Rosenthal’s legislation, which, if enacted, will finally enable our local governments to crack down on inhumane puppy mills,” said New York State Senator Brad Hoylman (D, WFP-Manhattan). “I join in calling on Governor Cuomo to sign this bill into law and give the power to our cities and municipalities to protect innocent animals by imposing standards on commercial breeding facilities and pet stores.”

“I thank Assemblymember Rosenthal for her advocacy on this issue and join her in calling on Governor Cuomo to sign this important legislation,” said Councilmember Gale A. Brewer. For a few years, a store next to our District Office on Columbus Avenue sold what we are sure were puppies from a puppy mill, and when we investigated we found out that the owners also did not pay sales taxes. We contacted the appropriate government agencies, and the store closed but we are sure that some puppies were sold to people who did not know that their puppy was raised in a puppy mill. On the Upper West Side we have worked to educate New Yorkers about puppy mills – and how buying a pet from a puppy mill usually means that the dog will be unhealthy for his/her entire life, that the animal will have to endure this condition for years or as long as he/she lives, and that the animal will be constantly visiting the office of a local veterinarian. These mills also negatively impact our already overburdened Animal Care and Control system. With the Governor’s support, we will have the power to regulate pet dealers and improve the health and safety of animals throughout the City.”

As New York State Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo investigated and prosecuted bad breeders. In 2010, his office used the pet lemon law, which requires pet dealers to guarantee the health of the animals offered for sale and allows new pet owners to recover any losses incurred as the result of the purchase of an unhealthy dog or cat, to help shut down a well-known puppy mill operator in Nassau County.

“Governor Cuomo has been a good friend to animals since his tenure as Attorney General and I call upon him today to continue that legacy by signing this bill and empowering the City Council to regulate pet dealers and end the inhumane practices of puppy mills,” said Corey Johnson.

“NYS Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal is once again showing her leadership on behalf of animals. I am in full support of Assemblymember Rosenthal's bill A.740-A, to restore to local municipalities the ability to regulate pet dealers, and urge Governor Cuomo to sign," said Helen Rosenthal.