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Reps. Tracy Pennycuick, right, and Jeanne McNeill announced their introduction of House Bill 1299, known as Victoria’s Law, in the PA House. The bill would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores throughout Pennsylvania unless sourced from shelters and rescues. |
Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by the office of state Rep. Tracy Pennycuick.
Reps. Tracy Pennycuick, R-147th Dist., and Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd Dist., have introduced House Bill 1299, known as Victoria’s Law, in the PA House. The announcement was made outside the Montgomery County SPCA in Perkiomenville.
The bill would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores throughout Pennsylvania unless sourced from shelters and rescues. The bill is named after Victoria, a German Shepherd that was rescued from a puppy mill after 10 years of breeding. By the time she was rescued, she was paralyzed as the result of a genetic, neurological disorder that she passed down to the estimated 150-200 puppies she produced while at the puppy mill.
“Dogs are intelligent, perceptive animals that have the ability to improve our lives in countless ways, whether as a service or working dog, or as a family pet,” said Pennycuick, a veteran who has a service dog to help with PTSD. “These animals deserve to be treated with kindness and dignity, which is what Victoria’s Law is all about. House Bill 1299 would ultimately help ensure reputable breeders, like the ones responsible for my dog, Murphy, can continue to do their important work, while putting an end to the deplorable conditions, overbreeding and perpetuation of poor health traits for which puppy mills have become known.”
“I’ve been fostering for local animal rescues and recently welcomed a new fur baby recuse into my home,” said McNeill. “Victoria’s Law will finally give a voice to the voiceless and put an end to the inhumane conditions propagated by puppy mills here in Pennsylvania. It’s time to hold irresponsible breeders accountable for the added and unknown financial risks consumers face due to overbreeding and poor veterinary care.”
House Bill 1299 would also further transparency by requiring those with federal, state or local licenses to include that license number in all advertisements. This would provide consumers with the ability to research licensed kennels and be alerted to unlicensed ones.
There is mirror legislation currently before the state Senate.
The legislation is supported by the Humane Society of the United States.
The bill would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores throughout Pennsylvania unless sourced from shelters and rescues. The bill is named after Victoria, a German Shepherd that was rescued from a puppy mill after 10 years of breeding. By the time she was rescued, she was paralyzed as the result of a genetic, neurological disorder that she passed down to the estimated 150-200 puppies she produced while at the puppy mill.
“Dogs are intelligent, perceptive animals that have the ability to improve our lives in countless ways, whether as a service or working dog, or as a family pet,” said Pennycuick, a veteran who has a service dog to help with PTSD. “These animals deserve to be treated with kindness and dignity, which is what Victoria’s Law is all about. House Bill 1299 would ultimately help ensure reputable breeders, like the ones responsible for my dog, Murphy, can continue to do their important work, while putting an end to the deplorable conditions, overbreeding and perpetuation of poor health traits for which puppy mills have become known.”
“I’ve been fostering for local animal rescues and recently welcomed a new fur baby recuse into my home,” said McNeill. “Victoria’s Law will finally give a voice to the voiceless and put an end to the inhumane conditions propagated by puppy mills here in Pennsylvania. It’s time to hold irresponsible breeders accountable for the added and unknown financial risks consumers face due to overbreeding and poor veterinary care.”
House Bill 1299 would also further transparency by requiring those with federal, state or local licenses to include that license number in all advertisements. This would provide consumers with the ability to research licensed kennels and be alerted to unlicensed ones.
There is mirror legislation currently before the state Senate.
The legislation is supported by the Humane Society of the United States.
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