The Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project believes that AB 567 and SB 308 are inherently flawed.

• These bills would combine a strict and unrealistic “Lemon Law” with one of the weakest licensing and enforcement laws in the nation. It may be wise to separate animal protection legislation from "lemon law" legislation.

• Puppy millers are not known for “truth telling." This “trait” may make a lemon law necessary yet this bill would also allow them to self-monitor by signing an affidavit saying they “will comply” to minimum standards. It is unrealistic to expect these affidavits will be truthful. Please review recent news coverage about Wisconsin puppy mill operations. In nearly every case the puppy seller LIED ON CAMERA to reporters.

• In what other area of Wisconsin law are Sheriff's deputies and department given the “option” to investigate? This bill says Sheriff's “may” investigate. What happens if they decide they “may not”?

• How much training do law enforcement officers receive in animal cruelty under standard training programs currently in place in Wisconsin? Unless officers take Humane Officer Training, our research indicates that most officers receive NO training in animal cruelty whatsoever. How does that qualify them to be “inspectors” or monitors of mill situations? Even Humane Officer training is optional under State Statute 173.

• In what other area of Wisconsin law are law enforcement officers responsible for knowing and enforcing administrative rules?

• In what other area of Wisconsin law do sellers deal with live animals, and the potential for disease transmission, unsanitary conditions, and other human health risk potentials but their facilities are not inspected?

• What will stop unscrupulous sellers and breeders from calling themselves “rescue groups” or “humane societies” in order to circumvent the law?

• Puppy sellers are already setting up “shell operations” where their puppies go to nice residential homes and are sold there, giving the home owner a cut of the profit and the buyer the impression of a “home-raised” dog. How will the buyer know “what’s behind” the darling litter of puppies being shown in a nice home setting? How will they be able to see and “complain” about improper conditions in the breeding facilities? These operations WILL become even more hidden under this proposal. Without pre-licensing and regular, standard inspections the mills will continue to operate is the abysmal conditions that brought us to call for regulation in the first place. These bills do not resolve the core issues that brought us to call for legislation.

     These bills do not resolve the core issues that brought us to call for legislation. Those core issues are the SUFFERING , ABUSE, and NEGLECT of the adult animals used to create those profitable puppies.