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The bill in Indiana that has passed both the House and Senate and is now in commitee to reseolve differences in the two versions. The states "Animal cruelty and commercial dog breeders. Authorizes the board of animal health to establish a registry of commercial dog brokers and commercial dog breeders in Indiana. Exempts animal shelters, humane societies, certain animal rescue operations, hobby breeders, people who breed hunting dogs for sport, and people who breed dogs for use by police or the military from the requirements imposed on commercial dog breeders. Defines "hobby breeder" as a person who maintains 20 or fewer unaltered female dogs at least 12 months of age, and defines "commercial dog breeder" as a person who maintains more than 20 unaltered female dogs at least 12 months of age. Specifies that a "commercial dog broker" as a person who is licensed under federal law and sells at least 500 dogs in a calendar year. Requires commercial breeders and brokers to register with the board of animal health, and specifies that failure to register is a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that a commercial dog breeder must register annually with the board and pay a fee based on the number of unaltered female dogs the breeder owns. Specifies that a person who fails to register is liable for double unpaid fees, which the attorney general may collect. Requires a commercial dog broker to register and pay a $1,000 annual fee. Provides that a breeder or broker who knowingly or intentionally makes a material misstatement in registering commits a Class A misdemeanor. Requires a commercial breeder to comply with the standards of care established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and certain other standards of care. Requires a commercial breeder to provide a consumer with certain veterinary records, and to keep its own records for at least five years. Prohibits a unit from adopting more stringent requirements concerning commercial dog breeders. Authorizes the board of animal health to enforce the USDA and other standards when sufficient fees have been deposited in the breeder and broker fund to permit enforcement, and grants the board of animal health the authority to enforce the commercial breeder provisions by seeking injunctive relief or a civil penalty of $500 for a knowing violation, $1,000 for an intentional violation, and $5,000 for the knowing or intentional violation of an injunction. Permits the board to seek an injunction to prohibit a commercial dog breeder from registering for not more than 3 years. Amends the definition of "neglect" in the animal cruelty law to include: (1) restraining an animal by a rope or tether in a manner that endangers the animal's life or health, or that physically harms the animal; or (2) failing to provide reasonable care for a dog's injury or illness if the injury or illness seriously endangers the life or health of the dog. Exempts from animal cruelty laws the destruction of an animal by an animal control program, or destruction of an injured or ill animal by an individual to prevent the animal from prolonged suffering. Increases the penalty for a second or subsequent offense of animal neglect to a Class A misdemeanor." Now I'm not an anti by any means and I understand that this bill could lead to stricter laws, but as it stands now I don't see the harm in it. I know a post a couple below warned about making serious hobbyists out to be "puppy mills". The bill states that they are targeting people who maintains greater than 20 intact females over 12 months of age. I don't know of many if any people who have greater than 20 dogs let alone 20 intact females that are quality enough to be allowed to reproduce. That being said, as it stands now I don't see how it can be a threat to houndsmen. Any opinions?
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