Dear Editor,

Iowa is currently ranked second to last in the nation in animal-welfare related laws and second in the nation for Puppy Mills. In 2015 over half of them were cited for violations to the Animal Welfare Act. The senate has approved a bill that would help protect the over 15,000 adult dogs currently housed in these mills by strengthening laws against animal torture, endangerment and abandonment. However, the GOP house has referred the bill to the Ag Committee even though the bill has nothing to do with agriculture. They argue the bill would hurt agriculture, but the bill actually excludes livestock, game and fur bearing animals.

Puppy Mills have long been a problem in Iowa. It’s well past time we strengthened our laws to protect these dogs and puppies from neglect. Please contact your congressman and senator asking them to take House File HS2416 out of Ag Committee sending both it, and Senate file SF502, to the floor for a vote. It’s up to us to protect our most vulnerable and cherished pets from harm.

Lisa Cunningham

Newton