NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather & SportsNashville Humane Association to Get 40 Rescued Puppies

Nashville Humane Association to Get 40 Rescued Puppies

NASHVILLE, Tenn.-  Hundreds of dogs that taken from a suspected puppy mill in White County will be eventually sent to shelters across the country where they'll be adopted out. Nashville will receive some of those puppies.

The Nashville Humane Association plans to take about 40 of the dogs. Authorities rescued more than 280 small breed pets from what they describe as terrible conditions.  Officials say most of the animals were in cramped conditions, and didn't have proper food or water. 

The 285 dogs found on this home in Sparta Wednesday will be saved by volunteers, rescue groups and now perhaps a piece of paper. It's called the "commercial breeder act-" just proposed in the State House and Senate.  If passed, it would require breeders to get a license, submit to inspections, follow standards and face penalties if they treat animals like this.

"It will force them to bring kennels up to par to provide a more humane standard of living," said Leighann McCollum.

Wednesday's shocking discovery has encouraged state legislators to take action against puppy mills.

Doug Jackson introduced the bill in the Senate late last week. He believes the act would save animals, and protect dog buyers from purchasing sick and inbred pets- two characteristics of puppy mill dogs.

"This is one industry that deserves legislation there's too much temptation to breed on a massive scale," said Jackson.

Jackson's inspiration for the legislation is his Labrador retriever.

"I take him everywhere with me," said Jackson.

Animal rescuers hope Wednesday's puppy mill will be enough inspiration for the rest of the state legislature.

"It really re-energizes us to fight to save these animals and provide a better standard of living," said McCollum.

Representatives hope the Commercial Breeder Act will come to a vote sometime in March. While several similar bills have failed in the past, supporters believe this one is different, in part because it was drafted with the help of responsible breeder groups like the Nashville Kennel Club.