WINONA, Minn. – The Winona County Board voted 3-2 to put puppy mills on its next agenda. The issue will be whether to ban any new dog-breeding kennels — at least temporarily. The ban would allow time for the county Planning Commission to study the advisability and feasibility of a ban and to make a recommendation to the Board. The county already has everal large kennels licensed by the state for 50 to 200 adult dogs. Mostly they are Amish enterprises around Utica. The Board has sidestepped the kennel issue for years, saying the county couldn’t afford to hire people to monitor kennels. Now the opposition to kennels has swelled. A petition with 400 signatures against giant kennels was presented to the Board.
How they voted
To consider a ban
Marie Kovecsi, 2nd District Goodview and Winona West Side).
Chris Meyer, 1st District (Winona East Side and neighboring south townships).
Greg Olson, 4th District (central Winona).
Against
Steve Jacob, 3rd District (Altura, Elba, Rollingstone, St. Charles, Minnesota City, Stockton, Utica, and north and west townships).
Marcia Ward, 5th District (Dakota, Dresbach, LaCrescent, Lewiston, Utica, and south townships).