The Humane Society of the United States is praising Oklahoma for improving the way it deals with animal welfare issues.

The state is known as one of the top three puppy-producing states in the nation according to the Humane Society. But the annual ranking of states says a new law dealing with those puppy mills is one reason for Oklahoma’s improved score.

The ranking places Oklahoma 27th in the nation in its animal protection laws.

The Human Society cites the state’s laws banning the slaughter of horses for food and felony penalties for animal fighting as other reasons for its positive ranking.

But the animal welfare group says Oklahoma still needs laws prohibiting the intensive confinement of animals on large farms.

See the national map and read the news release on the report.