In addition to Women, Children, the Poor, Students, State Employees, People of Color and Old People, Our WI GOP Hates Puppies...
In 2009, former Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle (D) signed a bill (Act 90) designed to eliminate puppy mills. Puppy mills: you know, the "feedlots for dogs" where unethical breeders densepack desirable breeds into crowded, abusive and neglectful conditions in order to make big profits off of canine misery.
Doyle's law, which was unanimously passed in both houses, required breeders who sell more than 25 dogs a year, from over 3 litters, to be licensed. That's it. Licenses for professional breeders so that the government has some kind of regulatory power over conditions. Under the law, the state will investigate a breeder's background before issuing a license.
This isn't a radical law. Wisconsin's free-wheeling attitude has made the state a magnet for such negligent large-scale operations. Reports of abuse have been all too frequent. The law adds a bit of oversight and constraint. It incentivizes operators to be more humane.
Enter Republican State Rep Don Pridemore. Even before the bill has barely come online, he seeks to raise the "definitional standard" to 100 or more dogs per year. He also proposes to eliminate three inspector positions recently hired to enforce Act 90.
The law just barely went into effect. June 1, 2011. The majority of court cases regarding animal mistreatment fall in the 25-50 range, so the definitional standard was based on fact, history and research. By all reports, Act 90 inspections have been going smoothly and have so far had the desired effect.
Why undo the humane treatment of companion animals?
I think we can do better in this state. This Republican Representative isn't up for recall. But still, we can send him a message in two weeks. Do everything you can. Donate money. Make calls. Hit the streets. Get Out the Vote!
Let's do it for the puppies...
Info at the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project here