Senator pitching new dog-breeder rules, hosts “Puppy Mill Protest”
By Julie Sherwood, staff writer
Submitted | Messenger Post Media
Posted May 03, 2012 @ 01:51 PM
Finger Lakes, N.Y. —
State Sen. Greg Ball, R-Patterson, from the Hudson Valley region, is hosting a “Puppy Mill Protest” on Saturday to gather support for his bill S7268, legislation he says will improve the health and quality of life of animals by providing duly-licensed pet dealers with updated standards of care.
The protest takes place at 2 p.m. at Baily Park in Somers, Westchester County.
The proposed standards are backed by a number of advocates including New York City attorney Susan Chana Lask, who has spoken out against a proprosed dog-breeding facility in Gorham, Ontario County.
Under the proposal, any licensed pet dealer must:
Designate an attending veterinarian to care for the animals at the facility, who will be available, if needed for emergency, weekend and holiday care;
Comply with a written program of veterinarian care provided by the attending veterinarian;
Allow regular visits by the attending veterinarian;
Provide appropriate facilities, personnel, equipment and services for the animals to implement the plan developed by the attending veterinarian;
Develop a program to prevent, control and respond to diseases and injuries;
Designate an employee, trained by the attending veterinarian to provide daily observation of all animals to assess their health and well-being;
Develop, maintain, document and implement an appropriate daily exercise plan approved by the attending veterinarian. This plan will include providing positive physical contact with humans that encourages exercise through play and other similar activities;
Designate and provide an isolation area for animals that exhibit symptoms of contagious disease or illness in order to prevent or reduce the spread of disease to health animals;
Vaccinate as required by the state or local law all animals;
Not sell any animal that has been diagnosed with a congenital condition or contagious disease.
For more information, contact Krista Gobins: (845) 200-9716
article at http://www.mpnnow.com/ontario_county/x1120194097/Senator-pitching-new-dog-breeder-rules-hosts-Puppy-Mill-Protest
