Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has signed into law a bill aimed at curbing puppy mill abuses, and a supervisor who oversaw the area where two raids and a mass shooting occurred has been transferred out of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.
The new law requires at least twice-yearly veterinary exams, larger cages, and exercise for the dogs. It also gives dog wardens the authority to act on alleged violations, and stipulates that only veterinarians can euthanize dogs in commercial kennels.
Pressure for changes to Pennsylvania law increased in recent months after two raids on different kennels found hundreds of animals living in squalid conditions. In another incident, a breeder shot 80 dogs after he was ordered to provide veterinary care for flea bites.
The dog warden supervisor who oversaw six wardens in the region where both the raids and the shootings occurred, Richard Martrich, has been transferred into the Bureau of Weights and Measures. The kennels had all received satisfactory ratings for several years, raising questions about enforcement procedures and inspections processes.
Martrich is the third employee to be transferred out of the bureau in recent years; its director and deputy director were both transferred after complaints from animal welfare advocates that they were ineffective. A fourth employee remains with the bureau but no longer conducts kennel inspections.
There are 2,600 licensed kennels in Pennsylvania; the law is aimed at around 650 of the largest-scale operations. A spokesman for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau said that the cost of larger cages and exercise areas could drive some kennels out of business. (Gee, what a shame.)
Kudos to Governor Rendell and all those involved in crafting and passing the new law. Pennsylvania becomes the fourth state (along with Virginia, Louisiana, and Arizona) to pass animal-protection laws this year.
