Why would there any doubt for the need to regulate dog breeders when there ARE animals being abused in breeding facilities?

There aren't any regulations for those selling dogs on the Internet, in newspapers, or from their homes. Many of those dogs ARE from breeding facilities that have DEPLORABLE conditions. Licensing is needed to find them, and inspections are needed to ensure humane treatment. Regulations are needed because dog breeding has grown into a multi-million dollar industry and animals are suffering.

The reason Gov. Doyle line item vetoed legislation in 2003 was because of budget constraints. The current Smith/Kreitlow Bill, in the WI legislature, has been written to be self-funded, the license fees are to be used to pay for the inspections.

PA passed breeder legislation in 2008 and their governor was very instrumental in helping the legislation pass, and now their Bureau of Dog Enforcement is able to successfully shut down some "puppy mills" because they have regulations and the laws necessary to enforce them. Look it up their press releases, annual reports, dog tip line, published inspection reports, etc. online at: http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agric....

It is time for Wisconsin to pass legislation and put an end to suffering for profit.

Absolutely commercial dog breeders, those selling more than 25 puppies in a year including shelters and rescues, should be regulated and pay a nominal license fee. 25 dogs sold in 1 year would be $10 a dog ($250 a year)for a license. Any reputable breeder should want mills and commercial breeders regulated, they would only gain more business. The public also needs to be educated on what is a puppy mill. It is not the number of dogs that makes a mill, but rather the inhumane conditions. I eat meat, my husband hunts, my uncle owns a farm. None of us are selfish enough to let these dogs suffer at the expense of the fear the lobbyists for the opposition is trying to instill in the uneducated public. Get the facts at www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com. The USDA does very little, inspections twice a year, slap on the wrists, nominal regulations food, shelter, water. A dog has to be dead or dying in order for any further action, the system is not working the way it is. The dogs are considered livestock, when in the WI State Statutes, there is no mention of dogs when defining livestock. When these millers and inhumane breeders lose their site or an arm or a leg, who are they going to rely on? A dog, to help the turn a switch on or guide them across the street, yet they keep them in deplorable conditions. The USDA regulations say 6 inches in front of the nose in order to be able to turn around in a cage that they live their entire lives in, food, water and shelter. The Amish and menonites are the biggest culprits. They are hear after PA passed rigid laws pushing them to WI, the "wild west" of puppy mills. The amish don't view dogs as domesticated animals, they don't and are not required to provide ventilation or heat, as well as many others, i.e., Pretty Penny Kennels in Plymouth, WI. We count on them to be our companions yet turn our backs when they need us as their voice. What do the millers do? They stick an iron rod down their throats to scar their vocal cords so they can't bark, which is why so many go "under the radar" making thousands of under the table dollars a year. Educate yourselves before you judge who is fighting for humane treatment.

Absolutely YES breeders should be regualted!...

I think Lobbyist should be regulated too, more strictly. I believe they're title should be more open & honest. Titles such as Extortionist, Arm Twisters, Muscle for special interest groups, Harassers, Stalkers (my choice), hit-men for a minority (not majority). These titles fit "Lobbyist" better & are more truthful.