Puppy mills bill a no-brainer

Charlotte (N.C.) Observer: Outlawing cruel treatment of dogs hardly seems controversial. The N.C. House didn’t think so, passing a bill last year on an easy 101-14 vote.

Now the legislation sits stalled in the Senate, despite the wishes of the House, the governor, the first lady, the Humane Society and all advocates for common sense. It’s not clear why, but neither of two stated reasons holds any water.

House Bill 930 is straightforward. All it does is require large-scale breeders (those with 10 or more reproducing dogs) to provide the most basic care to their dogs. Things like food and water. Keeping them in cages big enough where they can stand up. Not confining them with so much feces that they get sick. We’re not talking about the Waldorf-Astoria here.

Critics say they’re worried the bill could be a slippery slope toward putting burdensome regulations on the agricultural industry. That phantom fear is a reason to allow dog abuse? As first lady Ann McCrory says, “Even our dog Moe knows the difference between a hog and a dog.”

These rules target only the worst breeders. Reputable ones have nothing to fear. Pass the bill.