As expected, the Salt Lake County Council unanimously adopted Utah's first-ever ordinance to regulate "volume dog breeders" or so-called puppy mills.

The measure finalized Tuesday requires residents in the unincorporated county to get an annual license if breeding more than one litter per year. Breeding dogs must have annual examinations by licensed veterinarians, while breeders must protect dogs from inclement weather and keep detailed breeding records for five years.

Failure to comply is punishable as a class B misdemeanor, which carries a maximum $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.

Breeders argued the ordinance was overkill, noting most are responsible dog owners who would not allow abuse or shoddy conditions to jeopardize their livelihood.

But the head of the Utah Humane Society countered that many puppy mills, in rural and urban areas, are in need of regulation. The ordinance will deny any resident convicted of animal cruelty from receiving a permit to breed dogs.

Council staff noted that at least 20 U.S. cities have adopted similar regulations.

Council Chairman Joe Hatch, who authored the law, said the council will revisit the issue in the spring to gather input and make any necessary adjustments.