SB 1712, the Black Market Breeders Bill
Becomes Law

On May 14, 2010, Governor Brad Henry signed into law SB 1712, the first-ever law to regulate high volume dog breeding operations in Oklahoma.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE BILL

A deep thank you to the animal advocates, animal welfare organizations and concerned citizens who made phone calls, typed e-mails, visited the capitol and donated funds to signs, advertisements and billboards that made this effort successful. Thank you to the representatives and senators who voted on behalf of the dogs.

Senate bill 1712 will create an agency to oversee high volume breeding kennels.

A mandatory inspection process will cover breeders with 11 or more female dogs. It also compels all breeders to collect and remit sales taxes to the state, something which virtually all breeders have ignored up to now. This will help stop backyard breeders who have enjoyed an unreported cash income.

While breeders that sell wholesale are compelled to have a USDA license, those that sell dogs and puppies directly to the consumer have been entirely unregulated in Oklahoma until now. Many of the worst have moved here from surrounding states that already passed regulatory measures, leaving us with a substandard, clandestine industry that frequently burdened our law enforcement resources. Virtually all evaded collecting and remitting sales taxes on the millions of dollars of puppies that were sold.

What you can do now:

• Support animal welfare activism and educate others about the origins of pet store puppies.
• Continue to write letters to state legislators and local officials on animal welfare issues.
• Encourage friends to adopt a shelter pet.
• Never purchase a dog or cat at a pet store, flea market or other “convenience store,” set ups.
• If you are looking for a certain type of dog, check out the purebred rescue organizations first. Many have waiting lists, if need be get on it.
• Volunteer at a spay/ neuter clinic or animal shelter to make a difference in the lives of animals.

Puppy Mills...

...produce as many puppies as possible for as little investment as possible and everyday animals pay the price. Substandard food, sheltering, socialization and little to no veterinary care are common treatment for the dogs that make the money for these places. Dogs subsist in tiny cages, often with filth from one dog pouring through the cage floor onto the poor animal underneath it. Their eyes are scalded out by the ammonia in the urine and the pads of their paws are cut on the wire mesh. Infected, hungry and in pain they produce puppies for several years before being shot, abandoned or sold for a dollar or two to someone who will try to get, "One more litter out of her.”

Oklahoma was a haven for these houses of horror.
Together we have shown that we can stop the cruelty. We can stop the thugs!

SB 1712
The Black Market Breeders Bill

What does the bill do?
SB 1712 creates a State Board that will be charged with creating rules and regulations regarding large commercial pet breeders. It requires breeders who have eleven (11) or more female dogs or cats, which are kept for breeding purposes, to obtain a license from the Board and obtain a sales tax permit.

Who is affected?
Only those people who are engaged in the business of selling dogs and cats and have eleven (11) or more female dogs or cats which they breed. Your neighbor who breeds their pet cocker spaniel and then sells the puppies is not affected by this bill. Why do we need the bill? Oklahoma is the second largest State in the nation when it comes to commercial dog production – but we have zero regulation. Estimates place annual dog sales in Oklahoma at between 70 and 200 million dollars.

Why was SB 1712 assigned to the appropriations committee?
Under current State law, a seller of dogs and cats must collect and remit sales tax to the State of Oklahoma. Therefore, dog sales should bring three to nine million dollars in sales tax revenue to the State each year. However, unlicensed dog producers operate a cash business, often transferring animals in parking lots or late at night. Is there a fee for the license? Yes, but the amount of the fee will be set by the Board. The fee will be used to pay for the expenses of the Board. There will not be any State appropriated dollars allocated to this Board.

What other requirements are being placed on dog breeders?
They will have to file an annual report with the Board stating the number of animals that they have. They will be required to maintain health records for the animals (i.e. shot records). The Board will have the authority to establish minimum standards for care of the animals at these facilities. These standards, at a minimum, will meet the standards which already exist under the United States Department of Agriculture guidelines.

What about violations?
A violation of the Act would be a misdemeanor offense and the breeder could be fined or thrown into the County Jail – as harsh as that sounds it is the same punishment you are subjected to if you get ticketed for speeding.

Why is SB 1712 an important bill?
One does not have to be an animal rights activist to understand that we need to do something to regulate this industry. The approach this bill takes is to treat this measure as the profession that it truly is. It insures that the taxes owed to the State are collected. It protects consumers by helping to assure they get a quality product. And it will ultimately help the industry by eliminating those breeders that are not providing proper care and treatment for their animals.