Thwarting inhumane dog breeders

A SPATE of law-enforcement raids on local dog breeders in January uncovered horrific conditions as well as the news that Washington had no statewide law to crack down on puppy mills.

State lawmakers corrected this oversight with a strong bill passed by the Legislature this week. The bill prohibits breeders from possessing more than 50 non-neutered dogs older than 6 months at one time. It sets standards for kennel size, exercise and sanitary conditions.

The bill's language is a clarion call for basic humane treatment of dogs. Breeders will have to provide clean food and water, keep cages clean and allow dogs to leave their cages for at least an hour a day. Violators could be charged with a gross misdemeanor.

This is good and important. The hundreds of dogs rescued in January prove why this law is necessary. Most of them had medical problems stemming from their horrific living conditions. Some required such extensive care that they were given to breed-specific organizations; others were too ill and had to be put to death.

Commercial dog breeding requires standards and state oversight to monitor against unsanitary conditions and to protect consumers from the sale of sick and dying animals. There are environmental and public-health reasons to regulate these businesses, including the potential for soil and groundwater contamination and the spread of infectious diseases by poorly cared-for animals.

The new standards will hopefully thwart the creation of puppy mills. They rightly exempt retail pet stores, veterinary facilities and boarding facilities.

Another return to the public will be an easing of the financial burden placed on taxpayers when cities and counties take responsibility for large numbers of dogs rescued from unscrupulous dog breeders.

The legislation moves to the desk of Gov. Chris Gregoire where it ought to be swiftly signed into law.