General Assembly Passes Out Bill Against Puppy Mills

A measure regulating dog and cat breeders in Tennessee is on its way to the governor’s desk for his signature.

The law targets so-called “puppy mills,” which Senate Sponsor Doug Jackson says breed hundreds of animals in abject squalor. Consumers end up taking home sick and mistreated animals, and Jackson says current law is inadequate to tackle the problem.

“What this bill will do is provide a mechanism for reasonable standards and inspection to prevent puppy mills from occurring. Instead of trying to catch people abusing animals, let’s have standards, and let’s prevent them from occurring.”

The Health Department would enforce the measure, and fees collected from licensing breeders would defray the cost of caring for seized animals.