Lawmakers in Trenton, New Jersey did not have the opportunity to reject an attempted override to Governor Christie’s condition veto of Senator Lesniak’s so-called “puppy mill bill,” one of more than 200 similar laws nationwide orchestrated by the Humane Society of the United States and other animal rights groups opposed to anyone who makes money breeding, raising and selling animals. The bill, as previously discussed, was chalk full of constitutional violations, that were mostly―but not completely ―cured by the Governor’s veto.
Lesniak, without sufficient votes to override the veto, pulled the bill before the vote. In a tweet Lesniak published afterward, he said “I held the bill so I can attempt another override at any future Senate meeting until January 10, 2018.” He also posted the names of the Senators who did not support his effort.
Around the same time, ordinances in Morristown and Jersey City to ban USDA licensed breeders from sales to pet stores were considered. Jersey City voted to reject the ordinance, Morristown did not take action. Brian Hackett, the Human Society of the United States’s New Jersey Director told the Jersey City Council that all pet stores in New Jersey are purchasing all their puppies from puppy mills since the state limits their sources to USDA licensed breeders. All USDA licensed breeders, according to Hackett, are puppy mills. But not according to Lesniak, as previously reported, who, on June 23, 2016 said that sales from USDA licensees to pet stores should be allowed to continue, because these breeders were not the “puppy mills” his original bill had been targeting to eliminate. (See testimony on June 23, 2016 at the Senate Budget and Appropriations committee starting at 3 hours 3 minutes 24 seconds (3:3:24)).
Perhaps Lesniak should consider a bill that would actually help animals without hurting the people and businesses that treat them humanely.
For example, this state desperately needs an overhaul of the law granting law enforcement authority to volunteer nonprofit groups (New Jersey and County Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). Walt Kane, of “Kane in Your Corner,” has been spearheading an investigation about the NJSPCA, published on New 12 New Jersey. The latest installment, in which I was interviewed, aired May 24, 2017, “NJSPCA law enforcement practices questioned.”
Walt obtained records of complaints that had either not been investigated or had no written description of any investigation performed or results achieved.
As I said after reviewing those records, it is long past time that the state shift enforcement of its animal cruelty statutes to professional law enforcement agencies. Those dedicated and expert in animal health and welfare should be able to assist officers at police and sheriff’s departments by providing that expertise as a special investigator in relevant animal cruelty investigations. If we are serious about animal welfare, it is time to make that change.
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