Synopsis: Synopsis: Your State can learn from this: Recently Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California Vetoed SB 241 regarding puppy mills-thereby approving individuals to do mass breeding of animals despite the quarter of a billion dollars a YEAR California spends to euthanize unwanted pets-a half million dogs, cats, puppies and kittens die every year as a means of population control in California alone (15 to 20 million die yearly  nationally costing tax payers TWO [2] BILLION DOLLARS yearly!). There is an important message to learn from this which all states can benefit considering health hazards of keeping large amounts of animals. This bill limits the number of animals a person can keep to no more than 50--Schwarzenegger became the only governor in the six states where puppy mill legislation passed this year to override it with a veto.

Any individual with a grain of common sense can see the health hazards regarding anybody who keeps 50 or more dogs (or cats) on their premises (~an alternative proposal: Actually the same can be said of 25 or more breeding dogs or cats same premises, which should require a State issued License to keep so many , subject to inspection for sanitary purposes!~): This is just plain nasty with huge quantities of FECES and URINE that is wantonly accumulated on the premises, and discarded, surely must violate health codes in the transmission of toxoplasmosis and parasitic worms to children. Anybody who keeps 50 or more dogs (or cats) is either mentally ill, a hoarder, or puppy mill - equates to just plain NASTY and dirty. And how can one keep up with mandatory vaccinations with so many animals??? Fleas too go from animal to animal: Pure disgusting and filthy.

So why is the Governor encouraging breeding??  This is a waste of tax payers' money that can be better used like in PUBLIC HEALTH, and SCHOOLS, which federal stimulus money is most eagerly accepted to pay for State WASTE; animal control is ~horribly expensive for each individual county, therefore, State! (If you buy from a breeder, you kill a shelter pet).~

Read what Gov. Schwarzenegger said:

"To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 241 (Puppy Mill Bill) without my signature. This measure would make it a crime for any person or entity to own or control more than 50 unsterilized adult dogs or cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets. I support measures designed to prevent animal cruelty and that punish persons engaged in the abuse of animals. However, this measure simply goes too far in an attempt to address the serious problem of puppy mills. An arbitrary cap on the number of animals any entity can possess throughout the state will not end unlawful, inhumane breeding practices. Instead this measure has the potential to criminalize the lawful activities of reputable breeders, pet stores, kennels, and charitable organizations engaged in raising service and assistance dogs. For these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely, Arnold Schwarzenegger"

(PS-Gov. Schwarzenegger also VETOed  AB 243, which would have required
judges to prohibit convicted animal abusers from owning pets for a set
period of time. Apparently Mr. Schwarzenegger has no problem with animal abusers owning pets.)

It is my opinion that Mr. Schwarzenegger (or anybody else who agrees with this statement) needs to be schooled in community health. 50 or more dogs or cats, on a property legal and is, in fact, ENCOURAGED, by him vetoing the bill. Yes, this ENCOURAGES animal hording or puppy mills. He sees nothing wrong with this. That's just PLAIN NASTY. One dog alone produces lots of feces and urine, I can't even imagine the enormous quantities of feces and urine produced every day from 50 or more dogs and cats-it's nauseating!

BOTTOM LINE: Animal feces *IS* a health hazard especially in great quantities; the animals so confined, which is obviously the case with 50 or more animals at one place, ~~~what one animal gets, such as a diarrhea or worms, they ALL get it from close confines, spreading disease!!!~~~And fleas jump from animal to animal and breed efficiently, spreading round worm diseases to humans.

http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/state_legislation/puppy_mill_laws_where_does_yo.html

Obviously, someone operating a breeding kennel on their property and selling animals themselves from that property or from other venues like a flea market is not what the public would normally consider a "retail pet store." An operation could have several hundred breeding animals and gross sales over $100,000 but have no regulatory body checking to ensure the animals are being properly cared for." (Unquote)

Fact: Dogs and cats are living things, and individuals should require a license when in the breeding BUSINESS regardless "how small":  Hundreds, even thousands, of dollars for each dog or cat is a lot of money and should be taxed ~~WITH NOTED EXEMPTIONS~~. This is common sense.

In America, every year, animal breeding/selling is a multi-billion dollar business--largely UNTAXED-unaccounted for, countless huge numbers of breeders in every State sell their live merchandise in newspapers, internet ads, flea markets, road sides,  etc. all over America, especially on a cash basis--or personal checks made out to the owner-only the bank's interest income is taxed [interest will only be recognized as 'income']):  Why is it one can have a legal pet store *BUSINESS* in their home without a license?  I have seen countless internet and newspaper ads often running into the THOUSANDS of dollars per single dog (or cat). $500 per animal definitely is not unusual. Take a look at your local paper, as a tiny sample what goes on. Flea markets, road sides, you name it. I seen them everywhere. They are selling purebreeds and making LOTS of tax free money hand-over-fist!
 
ANOTHER REMEDY: Consider in most states if a person sold fish, even frogs, they are required to own a license--even if the fish were a dime a piece, being live merchandise!. ALL DOG AND CAT BREEDERS who ~~sell pets over $100 per dog or cat~~must obtain a business breeding license to sell their live merchandise.  A license number must be advertised and made clearly visible, with any flea market, road side, newspaper or electronic media advertisement (even it be just a sign)--while selling animals.

EXCLUSIONS: Dogs or cats sold $100 or less: Regardless of breed, for cost of spay/neutering and initial vet care, a nominal fee prevents animal abuse such as free to good home pets which often end up victims of animal animal cruelty-this nominal fee should NEVER be expected to be taxed or considered a business;  totally exempting charitable benefits or for medical reasons such as seeing eye dogs~~, and all legitimate animal shelters such as animal control, SPCAs and Humane Societies (besides they are already licensed.)

REASON:  Back yard breeders are a multi billion dollar business every year. State/federal revenue is lost. Many people do this full or part time in their home (especially with our economy and unemployment)--and never pay a dime of taxes (other than the bank interest).   Regardless how small the operation, if the single animal exceeds the cost of $100, should be required to own such a business license due to the enormous quantities of money made PER ANIMAL (mostly running into hundreds, even thousands of dollars, per dog or cat) and must pay income state and federal taxes, for this is an under-reported (or never reported) income.  Reason: State and federal deficits are enormous.

Respectfully submitted