Dog Breeding Laws in Minnesota

Photo of the Schröder breeding establishment; The USDA license was revoked in 2014. The law also refers to other complementary laws that must be followed. These additional statutes, such as Chapter 343, Chapter 346, and Section 13.643 of Minn. Stat., are published at the following address: Supplementary Statutes The problem lies in the inhumane practices and conditions of breeding dogs and cats in Minnesota by unscrupulous or negligent breeders and a lack of oversight of this industry. Making laws is never easy; Often, the best tactic is communication – informing lawmakers about the problem and dispelling myths and fears. However, some breeders and traders consider dogs and cats as stocks – raised as “stocks” and sold as “products”. For this type of breeder, breeding is a question of quantity (sales) and not quality (animal health). Often, they consider breeding animals (many of which have been imprisoned for years) as commodities and therefore have not created adequate care or conditions for the physical and mental health of the animals. When their livelihoods are questioned (i.e., they are asked to do business at a higher level), these types of ranchers struggle to maintain the “status quo.” Examples: NOTE: In order to move the bill forward, compromises were made in the language. In particular, the MN Pet Breeder`s Association, Representative Rod Hamilton (as expressed at a house agriculture committee hearing) and others in favour of commercial farming facilities wanted data collected by the MN Animal Health Council, such as inspection reports, to be kept secret. The MN Pet Breeder`s Association and others have introduced language to keep records and reports secret from the public.

However, this article of the law allows access to certain data: “The Animal Health Council may disclose the data collected. if the Commission determines that access supports the prosecution process or the protection of human or animal health or safety. Press article: In Minnesota, animal breeders` records have been kept secret “Privacy” data: Minn. Stat. 13,643 Subd. 6 Animal Space Data Winona County has the highest concentration of commercial dog breeders in Minnesota with seven USDA-licensed facilities and 1 USDA-licensed broker. Other non-USDA licensed facilities exist in this region. Animal Folks is working with Winona County residents to enact a moratorium in the county to investigate the dog breeding industry and compliance measures in Winona County. We are also working to ban future permits for more commercial dog breeding facilities in Winona County. For more information: speakupwinonacounty.org 8.

Are there already other state laws in Minnesota that solve this problem? As of January 2022, there were 21 commercial dog breeders in Minnesota with a federal license (and 1 cat breeder), according to the USDA; and 5 brokers. The total number of state licenses for dog and cat breeding facilities was 122 per MN Board of Animal Health (BAH) in fiscal year 2021. State licensing only began in 2014. (License definitions vary; see below for more descriptions.) Licensing and regulation are the legal means to hold companies accountable for their actions. For example, hairdressers, liquor stores, restaurants, veterinarians, and many other Minnesota businesses must obtain an operating and regulatory license (i.e., be inspected, comply with standards, be fined if they break the law). Regulation raises an industry`s standards by eliminating “bad” companies. Buying, selling, breeding and trading dogs and cats to make money is a business; These are commercial transactions. It differs from many other companies in that the “product” is a living being and is purchased as a pet. There is a wide range of business practices in breeding and selling dogs and cats in Minnesota. A certain type of breeder (called puppy or kitten mills, backyard breeders, cellar breeders or waste breeders) is in the “business” of breeding to earn money. For these types of producers (high volume or low volume), corners are cut on the farm to maximize profits, resulting in inferior or deplorable conditions. Examples: “During the 2014 Legislature, a law was passed requiring commercial dog and cat breeders to be licensed and inspected by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

The purpose of this new program is to protect the health and well-being of dogs and cats kept and produced by commercial breeders. A commercial breeder is defined in the law as a person who owns or has a right of ownership of animals and raises animals for sale or sale or exchange, owns ten or more intact adult animals, and whose animals produce a total of more than five litters of puppies or kittens per year. Yes. Some animal welfare societies, shelters, rescue organizations, and veterinary clinics are licensed and inspected in Minnesota – and have been for years – if they meet the definition in Unminn Section 347.31. Stat. Many of these facilities receive sick, neglected, and abused dogs and cats from unsavory breeding facilities, in addition to handling stray animals. abandoned or other undesirable animals; Many have to collect donations to take care of the animals. Valley View Kennel, owned and operated by Paul and Sheila Haag, was (and perhaps still is) the second largest dog breeding mall in Minnesota with more than 1,038 dogs and puppies, as reported in the October 2018 USDA inspection report. In August 2019, Paul Haag cancelled his federal license (#41-A-0281). This dog breeder still has a state license. The Haags also own and operate Amazen` Farmyard in Meeker County, a petting zoo that sells puppies.

The Amazen` Farmyard website promotes puppies for sale and offers links to a Valley View puppy website. These companies produce and sell puppies or kittens for profit. The fact that the “products” manufactured are living and sentient beings (such as adult dogs and cats used for breeding) makes this issue complicated and controversial. Country Pride Kennel is a dog breeding center owned by Deborah Rowell and located in Cass County. This breeder was authorized by the USDA but cancelled his federal license in 2012. Due to several complaints from Animal Folks, an investigation into this breeder was conducted by local law enforcement, which led to the seizure of all his dogs (more than 100) in the establishment. Rowell was convicted of animal cruelty in 2013. However, in 2015, the MN ANIMAL HEALTH BOARD (BAH) granted this breeder a state license, which violates the Breeders Act and shows incompetent management and procedural guidelines from the BAH.

This breeder continues to breed and sell dogs to the public. This is another example of why the Pet Animal Commission (CCC) Act needs to be passed and the operation of the Breeders Act needs to be transferred from the BAH to the CAB.