PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia City Council heard testimony Tuesday on a bill to pause puppy breeding within the city’s limits for three years. The proposed ban's goal is to reduce animal shelter intake and to protect animal health.
Sarah Barnett, the executive director of the Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT) of Philadelphia, the city's only open intake animal shelter was among those testifying. She said there are several factors for overcrowding at shelters. Unlicensed breeders caused many of the puppies and their mothers to end up in shelters.
“We see puppies surrendered because they are literally too big to sell now. We see mother dogs who have been bred repetitively only to be abandoned once their bodies give out,” Barnett testified.
“Many suffer from very preventable medical conditions, conditions caused by repeated breeding. We see puppies arriving sick with parvovirus, which is a highly contagious and often deadly disease that is preventable through very basic vaccines and we are seeing dogs purchased as puppies from breeders with significant behavioral issues that make them unsafe.”
Charlie Hall attended the hearing as a representative for the American Kennel Club, the Kennel Club of Philadelphia and responsible breeders. He said that even though the bill offers limited exemptions to licensed breeders, responsible small-scale breeders that planned one litter a year or so would be significantly restricted.
“Forcing them in a three-year shutdown can permanently destroy blood lines, genetic diversity and programs that took decades to build. It should also be noted that these hobbyists raised dogs in their private homes and the inspections and requirements are designed for those producing a larger number of dogs,” Hall said.
Instead of a puppy breeding moratorium, he championed that Philadelphia should focus on targeted investigations based on complaints, penalties for abandonment and neglect, buyer education and responsible sterilization programs.
Council will likely vote on the bill next week.