Pa.'s Anti-Puppy Mill Law Enforcement Criticized
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's independently elected fiscal watchdog says the state is doing a poor job enforcing an anti-puppy mill law that's designed to protect buyers and ensure breeders maintain humane practices.
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said in an audit released this week that says lax leadership and ineffective program administration plagued the Dog Law Enforcement Office.
He says sales weren't properly tracked to determine which kennels should be licensed, guidelines weren't promptly written for dog wardens and the office's money was spent on other, unrelated Department of Agriculture employees.
The audit covers July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2012. In a response, the Department of Agriculture disagreed that money was used improperly and says it is addressing other concerns. It says a reorganization process is resulting in cost savings and tightened administration.
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