To my surprise and disappointment, state Sen. Harris Blake, who represents Moore County, is refusing to support passage of Bill S 460, which establishes standards for the care of dogs in the possession of "puppy mill" dog breeders. There are an estimated 96 puppy mills in North Carolina.

There are hundreds of dogs living in miserable conditions in tiny wire cages existing on inferior food and never receiving exercise, attention or medical care. Their only function is to produce puppies for sale to pet stores. Frequently, the puppies are sick and suffering from inbreeding. They are produced under incredibly cruel conditions.

Passage of the bill is being fought by the National Rifle Association and its lobbyists, as well as by the lobbyists hired by the puppy mill owners. Phantom veterinary associations are also quoted as being against it. They want to make sure that the profits realized from the misery and mistreatment of dogs are maximized.

Blake has stated that his failure to support the bill is based on its estimated cost of $400,000. He has provided no data to support this figure, which was probably provided by the NRA. The fact is that passage of the bill would lower the cost to the taxpayer. Dogs that are produced by the puppy mills frequently have health problems that result in their eventually being euthanized in shelters at taxpayer expense.

It is difficult to understand how any reasonable and caring person could oppose the establishment of standards that would alleviate some of the misery being suffered by these poor dogs. It is also difficult to rationalize why a politician would come down on the side of a soulless organization like the NRA rather than on the side of his constituents.

Are campaign contributions involved?

Earle Hightower

Pinehurst