UPDATED Tuesday, December 1, 2009 --- 11:22 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Jim Doyle has signed a bill designed to eliminate puppy mills where dogs live in abusive and neglectful conditions.

The law will require dog breeders who sell more than 25 dogs annually to get a license through the state.

Breeders will have to meet standards of care, such as providing each dog with enough food, shelter and opportunity for exercise.

The state will investigate the breeder's background before issuing a license and can suspend or revoke it for violations.

Animal rights activists have been pushing for regulations in Wisconsin for years, saying the state's hands-off approach has made it a magnet for large-scale puppy mills.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Tuesday, December 1, 2009 --- 10:00 a.m.

Press Release from the Governor's Office:
Governor Doyle to Strengthen Dog Breeding Regulations

Governor Jim Doyle will take steps to ensure the humane treatment of dogs Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the State Capitol. The Governor will act on AB 250, which strengthens dog breeding regulations and inspection standards. Prior to the event, Governor Doyle will privately act on several other bills.

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UPDATED Thursday, November 5, 2009 --- 2:34 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The state Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill that would regulate dog breeders.

The Senate approved the measure 32-0. The Assembly approved the bill 96-0 last month.

Lee Sensenbrenner, a spokesman for Gov. Jim Doyle, says Doyle looks forward to signing the bill into law.

Under the measure, breeders who sell more than 25 dogs annually would have to get a license. The state would investigate the breeder before issuing a license and could suspend or revoke it for violations.

Twenty-five other states regulate dog breeders. Animal rights activists have been pushing for regulations in Wisconsin for years. They say the Wisconsin's lack of regulation makes the state a magnet for puppy mills where animals are often abused.

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UPDATED Tuesday, October 27, 2009 --- 5:40 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The state Assembly has approved a bill that would regulate dog breeders.

Under the measure, breeders who sell more than 25 dogs annually would have to get a license. The state would investigate the breeder before issuing a license and could suspend or revoke it for violations.

Twenty-five other states regulate dog breeders. Animal rights activists have been pushing for regulations in Wisconsin for years. They say the Wisconsin's lack of regulation makes the state a magnet for puppy mills where animals are often abused.

The Assembly approved the bill 96-0. It now goes to the state Senate.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Saturday, October 24, 2009 --- 9:40 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin state Assembly is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bill that animal rights activists have been working years to see enacted into law.

The measure would make Wisconsin the 26th state to regulate dog breeders. Supporters say the lack of regulation now makes Wisconsin a magnet for large-scale puppy mills where animals are often mistreated.

The bill has broad bipartisan support, with 71 out of 132 lawmakers signed on as co-sponsors.

Under the bill, breeders who sell more than 25 dogs a year would have to be licensed. The state would investigate the breeder before issuing a license and could suspend or revoke the license if there were violations.

The Senate bill is awaiting debate.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

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UPDATED Wednesday, October 21, 2009 --- 7:45 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A proposal that would regulate dog breeders operating in Wisconsin is gaining momentum in the Legislature after more than a decade of going nowhere.

The measure has already passed a Senate committee and is awaiting debate. On Wednesday, an Assembly committee is scheduled to vote on it.

The bill has broad bipartisan support, with 71 out of 132 lawmakers signed on as co-sponsors.

Under the bill, breeders who sell more than 25 dogs a year would have to be licensed. The state would investigate the breeder before issuing a license and could suspend or revoke the license if there were violations.

Wisconsin would become the 26th state to regulate or require licensing of dog breeders should the measure pass and be signed into law.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Wednesday, September 23, 2009 - 5 p.m.

An overflow crowd turned out for a public hearing at the Capitol Wednesday, largely in support of puppy mill legislation in Wisconsin.

"If ever there was a business that cried out for regulation .. through inspections and licensing this is it. How can anyone see what's happening in this business and say this is ok with them."

Staff from the Clark County Humane Society were among a number of people testifying in support of Assembly bill 250 and Senate bill 208. The shelter is in the same county that's home to the infamous Thorp dog auction.

"...An auction of worn out breeding dogs.. used up ... spent life in small contained area..."

The measures under consideration require licensing for anyone who sells 25 or more dogs a year, from no more than three litters.

"The majority of complaints involve those who sell smaller numbers of dogs ... those with ten dogs in the basement are often more of a problem than large breeders," Dr. Yvonne Bellay with DATCP says.

The legislation also provides for standards of care. The state's humane officer says Wisconsin has no state regulation of pet facilities - and this effort is a workable approach.

"With every year that has passed, since lawmakers first started working on this, more states have passed legislation which means more and more uncaring breeders have moved into Wisconsin and set up shop," co-author Sen. Pat Kreitlow says.

"I'm here to tell Kasey's story."

Penny Evans went looking for a dog from a rescue organization but says she ended up adopting a sick puppy from a ranch later raided by law enforcement.

"I brought her home Saturday. She was dead the next Sunday."

Last year, Evans says she purchased her "Kasey" from Thyme and Sage Ranch in Richland County. Then, in May of this year, hundreds of dogs were seized from the Cazenovia property.

"Through the end of August, we have spent more than 100-thousand dollars from our shelter operations on this case alone," Pam McCloud Smith with the Dane County Humane Society says.

Supporters, including members of law enforcement, say regulation will prevent situations from deteriorating into costly criminal cases.

"I said that day Kasey would not die in vain, and she's not going to. I'll be her voice," Evans says.

The legislation could reach a vote next month.

The department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection would be responsible for the licensing, inspection and rules. Sales of licenses would fund it. A couple of members of a hunters association and sporting dog group also testified, saying they no longer oppose the measure. A handful of people registered against it.

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UPDATED Wednesday, September 23, 2009 --- 7:35 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin would join the growing number of states that regulate dog breeders under a bill scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday.

State Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection spokeswoman Donna Gilson says Wisconsin has become a magnet for breeders because it has no regulations.

The bill requires any person who sells more than 25 dogs in one year, from at least three litters, to be licensed. Unlike previous proposals, it only applies to dogs and not other animals.

Numerous efforts in recent years to regulate breeders have failed in the Wisconsin Legislature either due to their cost or opposition from groups concerned about unintended consequences and how good operators would be affected.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Posted Tuesday, March 31, 2009 --- 5:40 p.m.

Some say Wisconsin is becoming a dumping ground for puppy mills.

On Tuesday, some voiced their support for a new bill to regulate mass breeders in Wisconsin.

"He was the oldest dog there."

Becky Monroe never intended to buy at a dog auction in Thorp, in Clark County.

"I felt compelled to get him. I got him for $60."

Like others, Monroe initially went to Thorp to protest the sale - and the conditions under which the dogs live out their lives.

"I've rescued three dogs from Thorp. All three of them have had severe dental disease with most of their teeth being taken out. They're just not treated right."

Today, she's among dozens from across Wisconsin taking part in humane lobby day, hosted by The Humane Society of the United States.

The most critical issue on the agenda - a puppy mill bill in Wisconsin.

"Today, we're here to give the puppies in these mills a voice. They have no voice," Dana Barre says.

This is video of the Wisconsin Humane Society taking dogs from a so-called mill in Green Lake County. Last summer, the Milwaukee-based organization bought out the kennels' owner. Next week, two Wisconsin lawmakers expect to seek co-sponsors of legislation to regulate mass dog breeders in Wisconsin. Rep. Jeff Smith, who has visited the Thorp auction, says like any business, the industry of mass dog production needs some regulation.

"If you were to walk up to any of the dogs I've rescued from Thorp, they would flee form you immediately 'cause they don't know what human touch is like," Monroe says.

Supporters of the measure say mill dogs live their entire lives in confinement while suffering from insufficient food and medical care.

The puppy mill bill is still being drafted by Sen. Pat Kreitlow and Rep. Jeff Smith. Smith says he has tried to hear from all interested parties.

The Wisconsin Humane Society - based in Milwaukee - wants a law to regulate anyone selling more than 25-dogs a year. The organization says Wisconsin is becoming a dumping ground for millers due to Pennsylvania's recently enacted law for puppy mills.

You can learn more about puppy mills at the websites below.
http://www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com/
http://www.allanimals.org/
http://stoppuppymills.org/