The humane way

Federal court rejects breeders' efforts to knock down Texas puppy mill law

Dog breeders lost a round on Thursday when a federal court in Austin rejected their efforts to block Texas' new "puppy mill law" from going into effect.

The Licensed Breeders Act was passed in 2011. It requires commercial dog and cat breeders with 11 or more female dogs or cats who sell 20 or more puppies or kittens a year to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations. Breeders must provide a minimum standard of care and submit to an inspection of their facilities.

"It is tragic that any breeder would oppose providing such minimal care for their animals," said Cile Holloway, president of Texas Humane Legislation Network.

The law was set to take effect September 1, 2012. In October, a group of breeders filed to overturn the legislation, claiming the regulations were vague and violated their constitutional rights. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) responded by filing an amicus brief asking the court to uphold the law.

"Texas is one of the top 10 puppy mill states in the country, and this law is an important first step in cleaning up this inhumane industry," said Katie Jarl, Texas state director for The HSUS. "The plaintiffs and their cohorts don’t want there to be any standards for the responsible care of dogs in commercial breeding facilities, and that’s just not acceptable to Texas pet owners who want to protect dogs from cruelty and abuse."

THLN president Cile Holloway said that these standards have already been in the federal Animal Welfare Act for years. "They should be nothing new to most breeders," she said. "It is tragic that any breeder would oppose providing such minimal care for their animals."

The minimal care standard includes basics such as humane housing, annual veterinary care and daily exercise.

Because most breeder operations are kept hidden, this law gets them on the record and allows inspectors access. There's also a hotline and a website to report breeders not on the list. Call the enforcement division at 512-539-5600 or click here to file a complaint online.

Photographer Sylvia Elzafon's work helps place dogs and cats in loving homes.

Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Photographer Sylvia Elzafon's work helps place dogs and cats in loving homes.

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E-Cigarette News

Dallas City Council places restrictions on vaping in public

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Man vaping

Vaping will now be banned exactly like smoking, thanks to a new ordinance from the Dallas City Council.

At their December 11 meeting, the council passed an ordinance to ban vaping in all the same areas where smoking is not allowed. It'll go into effect on December 11, 2025 — giving everyone a year to get into compliance.

Proposed by City of Dallas Environmental Commission (EVC) and the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), the ordinance amends the definition of “smoking” in the Dallas City Code to include the use of vaping devices.

The ordinance does not ban vaping — it only bans where you can vape: no vaping in all indoor and enclosed spaces; within 15 feet of building entrances; and on park property. The ordinance also bans marijuana smoking in those same places.

In addition, the amendment requires restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other businesses to update their signage to clearly state that both smoking and electronic smoking devices are prohibited.

The ordinance already earned widespread support from health organizations such as the Dallas County Health and Human Services, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association. These organizations, along with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General, have all raised concerns about the health risks of direct and second-hand exposure to vaping aerosols, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and older adults.

Dallas is not the first city to impose such a ban: San Antonio enacted a similar ban in October. Theirs goes into effect on January 1, 2025.

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