(AP) -- DENVER -- Animal rights activists are backing a bill that would limit the number of animals that can be raised in captivity, and allow state inspectors to take them away.
Denver Democratic Rep. Beth McCann says animals have been crippled in cages -- injured and killed by people who raise them for mass marketing.
Her bill would prevent dog breeders from keeping more than 25 adult breeding dogs.
The Humane Society of the United States' Colorado director Holly Tarry says the legislation will crack down on abusive puppy mills where animals are treated like cash crops.
A Stratton dog breeder was ordered out of business last year after locking 46 dogs on his property and leaving them to starve.
State inspectors found 40 bodies and six dogs in critical condition.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKXRM