The Fort Dodge City Council will consider requiring a permit for any dog breeders as a way to tighten the leash on those who do so without little professionalism.

The city already has a law requiring commercial dog breeders to get a permit.

Amending that law would help to control “backyard breeders,” Kayla Benson, the owner of Webster County Animal Protection, told the council Monday.

Benson’s company has been doing animal control services for both Webster County and Fort Dodge for the past two years.

She told the council that one of the problems they have encountered is backyard breeders with multiple litters of puppies and no proper veterinary care for the puppies or their mothers.

For example, she said her crew rescued 17 puppies from a house on the city’s south side. Another litter of puppies was found in a plastic tub by the Des Moines River, she said.

Benson said enforcement of a breeding permit would:

• Ensure that the mother dog is in the care of a licensed veterinarian.

• Provide adequate information on where the animals are being housed.

• Prevent puppies from being adopted or sold until they are at least eight weeks old.

• Prevent puppies from being adopted or sold until they have their vaccinations.

“Something like this would make a tremendous difference,” Benson said.

She said Fort Dodge already has a good law requiring permits for commercial breeders. She said the council could drop the word commercial from its current rule and make it apply to all breeders.

She recommended a $150 fee for a permit.

The council took no action on the proposal Monday.