by KYW's Tony Romeo

Dog lovers and state lawmakers rallied on the steps of the Pennsylvania state capitol in Harrisburg on Wednesday, in support of legislation introduced this week that would crack down on "puppy mills" in the state.

State representative James Casorio (D-Westmoreland County, in file photo at right) is the sponsor of one of three bills that would stop what advocates say are horrifying abuses of dogs at some commercial breeding kennels in Pennsylvania:

“If you're one of those breeders that shove a plastic pipe down a dog’s throat and sledgehammer it into the back to break its vocal cords so it doesn't bark, we're coming after you!”

Under the proposed legislation, which has been years in the making, "debarking" of dogs, as well as Caesarean births, could only be performed by a veterinarian.

Other proposed changes include increasing the minimum floor space for dogs and requiring solid flooring, eliminating the stacking of dog cages, setting minimum requirements for exercise areas, and requiring annual veterinary care.