Today, the North Carolina House voted 75-41 in favor of an amendment that was offered to the state budget bill, adding puppy mills to the definition of a pet dealer and giving the Department of Public Health the authority to enforce standards of care for dogs housed in commercial breeding facilities. Ann Church, vice president of state affairs for the ASPCA, is available to discuss the need for this law, which would be the first puppy mill law in the state.

According to a recent poll, 87 percent of North Carolina voters support the enactment of stronger laws to protect dogs in commercial breeding facilities. North Carolina is in the minority of states without a law to ensure dogs in breeding facilities receive adequate care. Neighboring states, Virginia and West Virginia have recently enacted stronger laws to protect dogs in commercial breeding facilities, making North Carolina a haven for careless breeders, since no one is holding them accountable to treat their dogs humanely.

The bill now goes to the conferees before heading to Gov. McCrory for his signature.