ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Dog breeders selling over the internet would be subject to the same animal welfare oversight facing pet store owners…..That’s if the U-S-Department of Agriculture changes loopholes in the 19-66 Animal Welfare Act.

USDA spokesman Dave Sacks tells KMOX, since that law pre-dated the Internet, unscrupulous dog breeders are selling sick animals online.

But regulating the volume of sellers on the internet will be a monumental task. Under the new law, Sacks says Internet sellers would have a choice….either become licensed with the USDA and allow inspectors to check their animals, or allow the consumer to see the animals before buying them.

The change would not affect small-scale breeders who only sell puppies from physical locations.

The USDA is accepting comments for 60 days www.aphis.usda.gov.  After that, the Ag Department will make a decision on implementing the changes