Anti-puppy Mill Legislation

LCA and Antonovitch Lead Puppy Mill Reform Campaign in Los Angeles County

Following LCA’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) uncovering the desperate conditions for dogs at World Kennel, a breeding facility near Palmdale, CA that supplied several Los Angeles puppy “boutiques,” LA County Supervisor Mike Antonovich (R) invited LCA to spearhead a taskforce to solve the area’s previously unknown puppy mill problem. The SIU worked overtly and covertly to bring to light “LA’s dirty little secret.” Armed with the above video and LCA’s report, Mike Antonovich proposed a motion to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor’s to review ordinances and legislations and so effectively ban “Puppy Mills” in the County.

BOARD APPROVES ANTI-PUPPY MILL ORDINANCE

March 15, 2011 -- The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance spearheaded by Mayor Michael D. Antonovich to reduce animal cruelty associated with puppy mills.

“This ordinance will close puppy mills, which have historically abused animals by placing them in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, food and water,” said Antonovich.

Under the ordinance, which applies to the County’s unincorporated areas, breeders will be required to:
-- wait until dogs are at least 12 months old before breeding them
-- keep puppies on premises until they are at least eight weeks old
-- separate pregnant females at least three days before they give birth
-- and provide nesting boxes for the moms and their pups

Also, all new pups will have to be micro-chipped at four months and pet stores will have to disclose the source of their animals.

The ordinance will be mailed out to all of the County’s 88 cities urging them to adopt a similar ordinance. To read the full text of the ordinance please visit http://animalcare.lacounty.gov/cms1_156437.pdf

Learn more about: The Pet Safety & Protection Act