A new day for dogs: Pennsylvania law putting puppy mills out of business

New Pa. law putting puppy mills out of business

BELLEVILLE, Pa. — An overhaul of Pennsylvania dog laws has put a serious dent in the state’s reputation as the puppy mill capital of the East.

Officials say the 2-year-old law has driven most commercial breeders out of business.

Scores of substandard commercial kennels have opted to close instead of comply with stringent new health and safety standards. That frees at least 14,000 dogs from bleak surroundings where they typically got little attention or care.

Breeders who have stayed in business have shelled out tens of thousands of dollars to upgrade their kennels.

The state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement said Friday in its annual report to the Legislature that Pennsylvania has become a “model state” for oversight of commercial breeders.