[view:node_ad=5]At Tuesday’s Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting, a unanimous vote has authorized an investigation into creating more comprehensive laws controlling puppy mills.

Puppy mills refer to facilities where dogs are over-bred and housed in unsanitary conditions. The puppies are then sold to pet stores, but often suffer from diseases and illnesses associated with their time spent at the mill.

Upon proposing the vote before the board last week, 5^th District Supervisor Michael Antonovich said that finding better laws to control these facilities will reduce animal cruelty and taxpayer costs.

“Many of these kennels endanger the health and welfare of these animals by housing them in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate veterinary care, food and water,” said Antonovich. “Nearly 30,000 dogs and cats are euthanized every year in Los Angeles County.”

Antonovich’s office reports that over the last six months the County has been forced to seize multiple puppy mill facilities, taking in hundreds of adult and newborn dogs into custody.

County staff will report back to the board within 45 days with their recommendations.