The law, called the Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act, or PUPS Act, was beefed up in committee meetings after animal advocates levelled scathing criticism against the initial proposed legislation.
The new law is a"significant step forward in stopping puppy mills," said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. "Up until PUPS existed, I would say that the risk-to-reward ratio of unethical breeding was fairly low," she said. Mandatory minimum sentences should change that and help both prosecutors and Animal Welfare Services inspectors, she said.
"The law is great and I think the PUPS Act is a step in the right direction, however, the way it is now, it is going to be very difficult to enforce," said Lynn Perrier of Reform Advocates for Animal Welfare.