Tougher and better enforced laws for Iowa puppy mills

To the Honorable Senator Chuck Grassley and the Honorable Tom Harkin,
 
I am writing to you on behalf of all the animals that are living in deplorable, disgusting, inhumane conditions around the state of Iowa. This is in regards to puppy mills that are legally allowed to run their businesses in the state of Iowa, yet are subjected to very few, if any, inspections on a regular basis to assure that the animals have adequate food, proper shelter from the heat and cold, the proper veterinary care so that they're as healthy as they can be.

Basically what we have in Iowa is similar to many states in the USA that don't treat puppy mills as severely as they should. We have huge numbers of animals being bred in filthy, sickening conditions. Rarely, if ever, will they see any time outside of a small kennel or wooden crate where they're forced to continously breed more puppies until they're unable to continue and die.

Steve Kruse of West Point, Iowa is just one of the many puppy mills in Iowa that needs to be stopped, yet it is his name that I hear time and time again in relation to this issue.  Just today, his name was linked with the new Petland that opened up in West Des Moines and is selling sick puppies, including puppies with the deadly disease parvo.

What I am requesting of you sir, and the signed petition that accompanies this letter will prove that there are many who want the same thing, is for much tougher and much better enforced laws regarding the breeding of animals for commercial purposes. These facilities need to be inspected at least 5 or more times per year if we have any chance at all of being sure the animals they're using are receiving the proper care that they need and that they deserve. If any facility is caught violating any of the laws, they need to be punished much more severely than a mere slap on the wrist. Just because these beings are 4-legged, doesn't mean their needs are any less important than our own, and that definitely is true when it comes to their needs being violated and down right abused. I ask that you take not just my own signature as proof of the need of more being done to stop the running of puppy mills but also the signatures of everyone who's taken the time to sign this Petition and I ask you to look further into this problem that plagues our state; that is just as bad as any neglect suffered to humans, just as bad as the money problems that plague the state.
This problem involves living beings who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect just as we expect humans to be treated. Thank you very much.