Stop the bartering of dogs, cats, or other domestic animals

There have been numerous craigslist ads in Kentucky of people wanting to barter dogs. One breeder placed 2 ads on Craigslist wanting to trade bulldogs for either a dirt bike or scooter. On that same breeders website is a sentence that reads our dogs are family. I wondered when people started bartering family members for material things.

Someone may not have the money to get the pet so they will be tempted to trade to get it. In some cases they may not be financially equipped for the acquired animals' welfare. I called the Humane Society and asked if it is legal and was told yes. I was told pets are considered property and people can legally trade their property.

I assume pets were once labeled property to insure a form of protection. I feel that pets need more protection from being used as a form of currency. They do not deserve to be bartered into possible abusive situations. We must stop any domestic animal litters from being used for a line of credit. This will decrease a few puppy mills and the number of abandoned pets.

I hope with your signature that we can try to have state officials take notice. I also hope online classifieds websites will stop allowing any form of animal bartering offers.

Thank you.