WEBVTT <"MOST OF THE ANIMAL OFFENSES IN THE STATE OF IOWA ARE SIMPLE OR SERIOUS MISDEMEANORS. "> Take a look at this video from the ASPCA -- nearly 170 dogs in Worth County were placed in an emergency shelter on Monday -- due to animal neglect <"HABITUAL VIOLATORS ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO STAY IN BUSINESS BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ADEQUATE OVERSIGHT ON IOWA'S PUPPY MILLS."> The Animal Legal Defense Fund ranks Iowa as one of the WORST states for animal protection laws -- ranked 49 out of 50 in the past five years. Animal Rights activists say animal protection laws need to be strengthened... And that this recent Worth County case shows there's little to no inspection of so-called 'puppy mills' in the state of Iow <"THE LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED HAS ALWAYS EXEMPTED LIVESTOCK FROM ANY ADDITIONAL OVERSIGHT."> Lin Sorenson with St. Francis Foundation for Pets pushes for Legislation each year. She says often times, nothing changes. <"IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A MISCONCEPTION , ESPECIALLY AMONG THE AGRICULTURAL BLOCK IN THE STATE OF IOWA THAT PASSING A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT PROMOTES WELFARE FOR COMPANION ANIMALS WILL SOMEHOW CAUSE A SLIPPERY SLOPE AND AFFECT LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN THE STATE OF IOWA."> KCCI did contact the Iowa Farm Bureau but did not hear back. Iowa State Representative Lee Hein said in a statement "There is a fine line between what certain people believe abuse is and that's our job as legislators is to figure that out." Scott Wilson with the ARL says it's hard to know where these breeders are -- or what's going on, because the USDA stripped public reports. <"THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN SEE IF ANIMALS ARE BEING CARED FOR PROPERLY OR NOT WERE THROUGH THESE USDA INSPECTIONS.