Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill to end dog, cat sales in New York pet stores – Ithaca Journal

A bill banning the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores was passed by the New York State Assembly late last week.
The Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill (Senate Bill S1130) was approved by the Senate earlier this year and now awaits being signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The law would make it illegal for pet retailers to sell dogs, cats and rabbits. These commercially bred pet store animals are shipped to New York from out-of-state “mills” that subject animals to abuse including overcrowding, overbreeding, lack of veterinary care and socialization. 
According to the The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), New York is one of the puppy mill industry’s largest markets. If the Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill is signed into law, New York will join five other states with laws prohibiting the sale of puppies in pet stores.
The Puppy Mill Pipeline Bill was first introduced to state lawmakers in January 2021 by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) and co-sponsored by Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan). 
“Puppy mills breed cruelty. Banning the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in New York pet stores will deal the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline a near-mortal blow,” said Rosenthal in a statement released last Friday. 
In December 2021, the Humane Society released findings from its undercover investigation of American Kennels, one of the largest pet stores in Manhattan. The investigation revealed that at any given time there were approximately 60 puppies in the store, with 12 to 20 sick and dying puppies hidden in the basement and in feces-covered “sick rooms.”
The puppies were not given proper veterinary care and displayed ongoing symptoms of infections, pneumonia, abscesses, diarrhea, parasites and more. One puppy was not eating on her own and died after being left in the store with intermittent, inadequate care for about 24 hours.
The investigation linked the American Kennels to documented puppy mills in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska and other states known for puppy mills. It also exposed that the store bought puppies from Iowa breeder Daniel Gingerich, who was shut down after sick, dead and emaciated dogs were found at his puppy mill. 
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The American Kennels store closed two months after the findings were released. 
“With so many good animals in need of rescue, there is no need for abusive puppy mills to supply pet stores. Our four-legged companions should be treated with respect, not like commodities,” said Gianaris.
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