South Carolina bill would help regulate puppy mills

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – A bill in the South Carolina Senate would regulate puppy mills by requiring dog breeders to be licensed and meet new inspection and animal care standards.

Senate Bill 720 would impose regulations on puppy mills by requiring breeders to meet more humane standards.

The bill has not passed yet and is currently in the Senate.

According to the bill, a professional dog breeder would be considered someone who has 10 or more unspayed dogs, sells more than 15 puppies, or has more than two litters in a calendar year.

North Myrtle Beach Humane Society Executive Director Tina Hunter said the organization helps shut down puppy mills by assisting the police department.

However, due to a city ordinance, there are no puppy mills in the city.

“North Myrtle Beach is a special community, so we really don’t have that issue, but now, we have seen cases in the county in which we call backyard puppy mill breeders that are producing puppies year after year after year,” Hunter said. “The county has seen instances where they’ve had to go out and shut those operations down.”

Hunter said the bill is a good thing and that South Carolina doesn’t have any laws about commercial breeding.

“As it’s written right now, there are a couple of little tweaks that I personally would like to see implemented in the bill, but it’s a start,” Hunter said. “South Carolina has no laws on the books as far as commercial breeding goes, so this is an exciting start.”

Hunter said living conditions for animals in puppy mills can be awful, and one of her favorite parts of the bill is the living regulations.

“Part of the bill that I love is they have exercise requirements for commercial pet breeders,” Hunter said. “They also have language in there about what kind of housing the animals can have, so that it’s weather-appropriate housing, and that they cannot be housed in those kennels that have wired mesh on the bottom.”

Hunter said she is excited about the other requirements.

“I’m really excited about that addition, and just to make sure that the animals have enrichment and they are not just stuck in a crate for 24 hours a day,” Hunter said.

Hunter said when animals from puppy mills come in, it can be hard for them to adjust.

“We have seen animals that don’t know anything about humane touch,” Hunter said. “They’ve literally been in a wired crate their entire life and never touched grass, we’ve seen that, and I get goosebumps just thinking about those animals. Like putting them on grass and letting them feel the Earth and letting them feel things that we take for granted.”

Pawmetto Lifeline CEO Denise Wilkinson said Senate Bill 720 is an important step toward addressing inhumane breeding practices in South Carolina.

“We are grateful for Senator Tedder’s leadership,” Wilkinson said. “We look forward to working collaboratively to strengthen the legislation and ensure the best possible outcome for animals and our communities.”

Wilkinson said additional input from leaders who are working on the front line would be beneficial.

Hunter said if you’re looking for an animal, it’s better to adopt one.

“None of these animals are here because they did anything wrong; they’re all here because humans failed them,” Hunter said. “I think everybody wants to see animals live; nobody wants to see animals go to a shelter and be euthanized. So, we want them to come in and save lives, never ever support a backyard breeder.”

Hunter said getting an animal is a lifelong commitment.

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