March 19, 2024

Does Iowa care about animal rights?

Ali Iserman

Mount Pleasant

If you take a close look at our current laws regarding commercial dog breeding, the answer would be a resounding no. Iowa has the second largest number of dog-breeders in the nation, yet we’re one of the few states that does not also have state oversight. The two licensing requirements that Iowa does have are sufficient enough for keeping an animal alive but they are absolutely not humane. As an example, cage-size requirements allow for dogs to be kept in cages just six inches longer than their length. Imagine a dog the size of a beagle living in a cage the size of a dishwasher.

Puppy mills are inhumane breeding facilities that produce puppies in large numbers. They are designed to maximize profits and commonly disregard the physical, social and emotional health of the dogs. The breeding dogs at puppy mills often live their entire lives in cramped, filthy cages. They are forced to breed repeatedly, producing litters of puppies that often have physical problems due to the poor conditions. These dogs rarely get the medical attention they need and are often killed once they stop producing puppies.

I recently sent an email to Sen.Rich Taylor. His response made me very concerned for Iowa’s future. Taylor made it very clear to me he has no interest in listening to the opinions of voters. Taylor stated that “there is obviously a demand for pets” meanwhile approximately three million animals are euthanized each year. According to Taylor, “a puppy is a puppy is a puppy” whether or not it comes from a mother that is forced to live in a filthy cage with no medical attention. He believes that people like Steve Kruse of West Point, who has recently had his license suspended for improper care of the thousand plus animals in his care, are “bound to have a few violations.” If we can’t count on the help of our elected officials, who can we count on?

The best way to stop cruel puppy mills is to stop supporting them. If you’re planning on adding a new dog to your family, visit your local animal shelter. By patronizing a responsible breeder, shelter or rescue group, you can help defeat the inhumane puppy mill system that places profit above animal welfare.