Here is a summary of the new bill.  It passed through the Senate Committee Thursday the 19th.  There were some amendments to the bill that had to be made.  That’s ok though,  its a darn good start and I am proud to be part of it.  It puts the “justice” in puppyjustice.com!  Next up… SB5651 is read in open session of the Senate and the bill is then referred to Rules Committee.

Only a very small handful of bills are selected out of the Rules Committee to go to to the Senate floor for a vote.  It is VERY important to call or email (or both!) your Senate representative from your local district and tell them you are in favor of this bill.  To find out what district you are in, click here.

Believe me when I tell you that your call or email makes a HUGE difference.  You may end up talking to your representatives  legislative aide, but that’s just as good, if not better!  A simple email will make all the difference in the world with SB5651 or the Puppy Mill Bill as I have been calling it.

We would love for everyone to comment  on this post  and get everyone’s opinions.  Yea or Nay, we want to get  your opinion on the Senate Bill SB5651.  Everyone’s opinions really do make a difference.  That is something I took home with me from the Lobby Day in Olympia.  Our opinions do make a difference.

Below the post is a place where you can comment and we are really wanting to know what everyone thinks.  The most up to date version of SB5651 can be found here

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute):

At any time a person may not own, possess, control or otherwise have charge or custody of more than 50 dogs with intact sexual organs over the age of six months. Any person who owns, possesses, controls or otherwise has charge or custody of more than ten dogs with intact sexual organs over the age of six months and keeps the dogs in an enclosure for the majority of the day must:

1. provide space to allow each dog to turn about freely, to stand, sit and lie down;
2. provide each dog that is over the age of four months with a minimum of one exercise
3. period during each day for a total of not less than one hour of exercise during such day;
4. maintain adequate housing facilities and primary enclosures;
5. provide dogs with easy and convenient access to adequate amount of clean food and water; and
6. provide veterinary care without delay when necessary.

Housing facilities and primary enclosure must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. housing facilities and primary enclosures must be kept in sanitary conditions;
2. housing facilities must enable all dogs to remain dry and clean;
3. housing facilities must provide shelter and protection from extreme temperatures and weather conditions that may be uncomfortable or hazardous to the dogs;
4. housing facilities must provide sufficient shade to shelter all the dogs housed in the primary enclosure at one time;
5. a primary enclosure must have floors that are constructed in a manner that protects the dogs’ feet and legs from injury;
6. primary enclosures must be placed no higher than 42 inches above the floor and may not be placed over or stacked on top of another cage or primary enclosure;
7. feces, hair, dirt, debris, and food waste must be removed from primary enclosures at least daily or more often if necessary; and all dogs housed in the same enclosure must be compatible.

Any animal control officer or other authorized public health or safety official may, upon receiving a complaint or upon their own motion, investigate any violation.

The prohibition does not apply to seven different types of facilities:

1. a publicly-operated animal control facility or animal shelter;
2. a private, charitable not-for-profit humane society or animal adoption organization;
3. a veterinary facility;
4. a retail pet store;
5. a research institution;
6. a boarding facility; or
7. a grooming facility.

A person who violates the prohibition is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.