W Why aren’t Iowans using new dog regulation law?

This year, lawmakers enacted new regulations governing dog-housing facilities in Iowa, including civil penalties to enable enforcement of responsible care.

Iowa Voters for Companion Animals argued this law was needed because local law enforcement turned a blind eye to substandard USDA-licensed facilities. Iowa Federation of Animal Owners worked with legislators to help draft an equitable law to help clean up substandard facilities while protecting good ones.

So, why did the animal rights' group tip off the media and take a sheriff, two veterinarians and a host of rescuers to a kennel in Wyoming, circumventing the new law? Why didn't they first complain to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and have a state inspector investigate? Now claims are being made the new law was used, when in fact, they reverted back to an old law that has been on the books for years.

Despite the raid, all the dogs except those purchased by activists have been returned and no charges filed. Hopefully, lessons were learned. Legislators should be leery of activists' mistruths. Media should get their facts straight. Judges and local law enforcement should exercise caution when acting upon hearsay evidence.

Substandard facilities should improve, and good kennels should not fear law enforcement.

Joe Gerst

Chairman

Iowa Federation of Animal Owners

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