As a devoted dog owner and a steadfast believer in the principles of local governance and conservative values, I stand firmly against Indiana's House Bill 1412. This bill, which aims to strip local governments of their ability to regulate the sale and breeding of pets, not only threatens local autonomy but also opens the door to the cruelties of puppy mills, a stark contradiction to the values we hold dear.
The bipartisan opposition to preemption of local regulations demonstrates a unified understanding of its detrimental effects. Preemption undermines local efforts, like those in numerous Indiana cities, to regulate the sale of puppy mill puppies, ignoring the animal welfare and consumer fraud issues these establishments propagate. Puppy mills, commercial dog breeding facilities notorious for prioritizing profit over animal welfare, trap tens of thousands of breeding dogs in cruel conditions. These dogs spend their lives in cramped cages, often sick and without proper care, an appalling reality that demands our immediate action and opposition to HB 1412.
In the national landscape, figures like Lara Trump have been vocal advocates against the inhumanity of puppy mills. Their work, alongside other prominent conservative figures, sheds light on the urgent need to address these breeding sweatshops for dogs. Lara Trump, notably an advocate for animal welfare, has aligned herself with initiatives aiming to rescue and provide better lives for animals subjected to these harsh conditions.
The fight against puppy mills is deeply intertwined with conservative values, emphasizing the importance of fair business practices, consumer rights, and the ethical treatment of animals. Lara Trump's efforts, alongside other conservative leaders, demonstrate a commitment to these values and an understanding of the critical need for local autonomy in addressing such community-specific issues.
Furthermore, local taxpayers are on the hook for animal control. The collection of lost animals on neighborhood streets, the kenneling of animals in a shelter, the adoption of those animals to new homes; all of this is paid for by local taxpayers. Yet while taxpayers are responsible for their own communities' animal control, HB 1412 removes a vital tool for regulating how animals are brought into a city or town and offered for sale. Supporters of HB 1412 want your local government to pay the price when there are too many dogs and cats in your community, but they don’t want you to have an important tool to solve the underlying problem.
By opposing HB 1412, we stand not just for the principle of local governance but also for the welfare of our four-legged friends who cannot speak for themselves. Let's champion the rights of our local communities to govern themselves, protect our beloved pets from cruelty, and ensure that the conservative principles of fairness, justice, and community welfare are upheld in Indiana. Together, we can demonstrate that conservative values and compassion for animals are inherently aligned, rejecting HB 1412 and affirming our commitment to local autonomy, fair business practices, and the ethical treatment of animals.
If the Indiana Legislature shoots down HB 1412 they will be following the lead of the Idaho Legislature that just rejected a preemption bill that would have also protected puppy mills. A large number of red states have rejected these awful bills including Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, West Virginia, Missouri and more. Have no doubt, a handful of puppy mill interests are on a national crusade to remove your right to petition your city council to address these issues.
Some of those bills were defeated after Lara Trump joined the fight, as she always is ready to defend dogs trapped in puppy mills.
Let us come together, irrespective of our political affiliations, to oppose HB 1412 and any legislation that threatens local autonomy and the welfare of our pets. It's a reflection of the values as Hoosiers, as guardians of local governance, and as advocates for the humane treatment of all creatures. Let's ensure that Indiana remains a state where local voices are heard and respected, and where animals are protected from the cruelties of puppy mills.
Kaelan Dorr currently holds the position of CEO at Baldur Strategies, following his tenure as Chief Marketing Officer for the 45th President Donald J. Trump's re-election campaign, in addition to roles in the Trump White House, Treasury Department, and the 2016 presidential campaign.
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