Oklahoma Supports Puppy Mills With Proposal to Overturn New Rules

The legislative process saw the passage of Oklahoma SB 1712 last spring. This bill, commonly known as the Oklahoma Commercial Pet Breeders Act, gave more regulations for dog and cat breeders in an effort to curb the deplorable conditions that are standard operating procedure in puppy mills across the nation.

A public comment period was held in the fall before new rules were finalized, a story I brought to you here on Change.org in November. A Board of Commercial Pet Breeders was set up to determine the regulations. The final rules (pdf) were adopted December 22, 2010.

Now that the rules are final and set to go in effect on July 1st, there is another bill that has made its way through the Senate, and is now before the House, that would negate the Oklahoma Commercial Pet Breeders Act before the law even begins.

This is a classic case of industry money talking, putting pressure on the system to bend the legislative process in favor of status quo. Missouri knows the tactic very well. After voters passed Prop B last November, the puppy mill industry has been working overtime to make sure voters’ voices are quashed.

Oklahoma Senator Charles Wyrick introduced Senate Bill 637 in a desperate attempt to stop new rules from taking effect. SB 637 is short and to the point. It disapproves all the rules codified by the Board and even has the word “emergency” in the title.

In an attempt to sound cooperative, Sen. Wyrick has been quoted saying “It is not my intent to repeal the law.” Excuse me? It is so unbecoming for a politician to lie, yet the purpose of SB 637 is specifically to nullify the law.

Sen. Wyrick claims to agree with most of the provisions, but is concerned with enforcement of the regulations. Did I mention that most of the new provisions, roughly 90 percent, coincide with U.S. Department of Agriculture standards already in place for licensed breeders? Of course Sen. Wyrick would have to agree with them, which would allow his claim to be valid.

Angel Soriano, chairman of the Board of Commercial Pet Breeders, has expressed concern over SB 637. He notes that the law already calls for the board and its authority to be terminated July 1, 2014 if the legislature chooses not to renew the law. He asks that the process be given these three years. At that time, if the system is not given a favorable review, then seek changes.

I agree with Soriano. Give the new law a fair chance. In three years it will be reviewed and any needed changes can be made then. And who knows, by then perhaps the breeders will realize that they are producing healthier and happier pets. Tell Oklahoma to put an end to SB 637.

Photo Credit: toolmantim