North Carolina lawmakers are expected to consider regulations for dog breeders during this legislative session. The intent is to make sure the dogs receive proper care. It’s a battle that has been fought repeatedly, but never passed.
Officers across the Charlotte area routinely investigate complaints of animal mistreatment.
Union County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Lynn Yow said he responds to nearly a dozen calls a year about so-called “backyard breeders;” people who breed dogs from home and sell the puppies.
Channel 9 has reported on a number of situations involving breeding operations.
In Indian Trail, a home caught fire last fall and 20 dogs died in the fire. Before the fire, several people had called Union County Animal Control to investigate the owners for having dozens of dogs.
Yow said officers had been there and knew the dogs were breeding, but they couldn’t physically take the dogs from the property. The reason is because, aside from animal cruelty laws, there are no standards in North Carolina to ensure female dogs are being properly cared for while they’re breeding.
“It’s frustrating because those people that call to make the complaints want to see more done,” Yow said.
Channel 9 has reported on a number of situations involving breeding operations.
Investigators in Cabarrus County called a home in Kannapolis a "puppy mill" after they rescued nearly 130 animals in September.
PHOTOS: More than 100 animals rescued from Cabarrus Co. puppy mill
“There are a lot more [backyard breeder situations] than what we’re actually seeing,” said Barbara Blair, with the Humane Society of Union County.
Blair said animal advocates have no problem with reputable breeders. The concern is with those who do not provide adequate medical care for their dogs.
"They have no love for the dog. They have no concern for the dog. The dog is just another widget to make money from,” Blair said.
North Carolina lawmakers have taken up the issue multiple times -- in 2009, 2013, 2015 and again in December.
Previous legislation on dog breeding standards:
"When you're talking about putting in statutory regulations that ensures the most basic of things: food, water, exercise, medical care - that's not a stretch to me," Mecklenburg County Rep. John Bradford said.
Bradford co-sponsored House Bill 159. It would have required people who own 10 or more female dogs kept for breeding to meet standards of care - food, water, daily exercise, veterinary care, protection from extreme weather and more.
HB159 passed the State House in 2015 and went to the Senate, but never made it past a committee for a vote.
"Everyone does care about it,” Bradford said. “I think there's just some sensitivity around, 'Is this a starting point for other animals?' whether it be agricultural related, or something regarding, 'Is this a basic infringement on a business persons rights?’"
Eight lawmakers from our area, who are still serving in Raleigh, voted "No" on House Bill 159. Channel 9 anchor Liz Foster reached out to each one to ask why. Most did not respond, or had no comment. Hickory representative Jay Adams emailed, "I think government is asked to regulate more issues than it has real capabilities to effectively regulate."
However, if the bill soon to be introduced in the current legislative session passes, Union County's Animal Control lieutenant admits it would be hard to keep up with backyard breeders, with his current staff of eight officers.
"It would be a daunting task to have to consistently monitor and watch these backyard breeders," Yow said.
In the meantime, officers will continue to investigate complaints of backyard breeding, but unless they find evidence of animal cruelty, there's nothing they can do.
North Carolina state Rep. Jason Saine, from Lincolnton, has introduced this legislation multiple times.
He plans to do so any day now. He's gauging support in Raleigh and making changes, so it has a greater chance of passing.
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