House votes down measure requiring more inspections of puppy mills

The Iowa House rejected a proposal Wednesday to require annual inspections of all state-licensed dog breeding facilities by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

“Who doesn’t love puppies? We all love puppies, but sadly, Iowa is closing in on number one in the nation for unscrupulous puppy mills,” Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, said.

He offered an amendment to a larger agriculture policy bill, House File 2641, that would require an on-site inspection of every state-licensed dog-breeding facility every 12 months, as well as require on-site inspections if there was reasonable cause.

Currently, the law says the department “may” inspect breeding facilities.

Jacoby wrote to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds last summer to call for better enforcement after the seizure of more than 120 dogs from a breeding facility in his Johnson County district. Inspectors reported many of the animals were in distress and Jacoby said a dozen of them died.

Republicans opposed the amendment.

“I love puppies, too,” Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, the bill’s floor manager, said. He added, however, that he’s been told IDALS is increasing inspections of breeding facilities.

“IDALS has significantly stepped up their inspection process and helping USDA with their inspections,” he said.

He called on lawmakers to oppose the amendment, saying time was running short in the legislative session to advance the larger bill to the governor’s desk.

The amendment failed on a 35-62 vote.