Linn votes support for regulation of dog breeding facilities

The Linn County supervisors today unanimously approved a resolution to regulate commercial dog breeding facilities in Iowa.

The resolution encourages passage of legislation that gives the state authority to regulate and inspect commercial breeding facilities that willfully or habitually violate standards of humane, responsible and ethical treatment of companion animals.

“I understand that breeding dogs is a legitimate business enterprise. All I ask is that they (breeders) do it in a humanely, respectful way and adhere to standards,” Supervisor Brent Oleson said. “This resolution doesn't support a specific house file or piece of legislation. It supports the underlying principles of responsible, humane care of dogs.:

Chairwoman Linda Langston thanked Oleson for crafting the resolution, noting the language is broad and says “we essentially support the overarching principles.”

Iowa has nearly 750 commercial dog breeders, the third most nationwide, with more than 23,000 adult dogs housed by commercial breeders.

Most commercial dog breeding facilities are federally licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Current Iowa law does not allow state oversight of such federally licensed facilities and does not allow Iowa law enforcement or county attorneys to respond to reported cases of animal neglect or abuse in these facilities.