Lawmaker vows to continue fight against 'puppy mills' next year

DES MOINES -- An attempt to crack down on so-called "puppy mills" that would have allowed state officials to inspect federally-licensed dog breeders failed to gain approval in the Legislature this year.

But a Davenport lawmaker is vowing to bring the issue before lawmakers again next year to help address the problem of dogs living in inhumane conditions.

"I definitely think there's a problem," said Rep. Jim Lykam, D-Davenport, one of the key sponsors of the legislation.

Supporters of the proposal said federal agriculture inspectors did a poor job of ensuring that federally licensed dog breeders were providing appropriate care.

Animal rights activists used horrific photos and disturbing anecdotes of dogs being mistreated in Iowa to make their case.

They included stories of malnourished dogs, dogs with severely matted hair because they weren't groomed and dogs that were crippled or acted frenzied after being continually caged.

The proposal in front of the Legislature would have let state agriculture inspectors check out Iowa facilities that hold federal licenses when they received a complaint of animal abuse or neglect.

The measure failed to gain traction with lawmakers as part of a budget bill in the closing hours of 2009 session that ended Sunday morning.

Instead, lawmakers approved an interim study on the issue, which Lykam hopes will shed light on what's happening in Iowa.

"We lost the battle, but we haven't lost the war," Lykam said. "This is still a live round."

Joe Gerst, a dog breeder from Amana and chairman of the Iowa Federation of Animal Owners, said the proposal didn't address what he says is the real problem - unlicensed breeders.

He also is worried that people who had never seen a kennel could still make a complaint about it if they didn't like what breeders did for a living. Gerst said some animal rights activists are trying to put breeders like him out of business.

"Their definition of puppy mill is anyplace that raises a puppy for profit. It has nothing to do with the conditions in which they are raised," Gerst said.

He notes that the dogs at his facility had air conditioning several years before his house had it.

"We not only are licensed and inspected, but we care for our animals," Gerst said.

He acknowledges some in his industry need to improve, and he said he does not defend them.