What About Us? ◙ Warning!! Graphic!! ◙

[Nancy1999]

Bump

[Poochieheaven]

Thank you for posting.

I cross posted to both my personal page and Poochieheaven's fan page.

[Woogie Man]

I showed the video to my brother today. He had heard of puppy mills before but figured they were just breeders with a lot of dogs. Let me tell you, my brother is a tough old bird but he was visibly moved by the images and couldn't watch it to the end. Everyone needs to see this type thing...at least once. No caring human can watch this and not be affected.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

I showed the video to my brother today. He had heard of puppy mills before but figured they were just breeders with a lot of dogs. Let me tell you, my brother is a tough old bird but he was visibly moved by the images and couldn't watch it to the end. Everyone needs to see this type thing...at least once. No caring human can watch this and not be affected.

Yep! I always like to show the Oprah puppy mill episode as well to people who don't know a whole lot. My mother, who is not what you'd call a dog person, was crying her eyes out watching it. She had NO idea and now understands better.

Here's another heartbreaking one:

YouTube - "I'm Alive" puppy mill documentary FULL...

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

I showed the video to my brother today. He had heard of puppy mills before but figured they were just breeders with a lot of dogs. Let me tell you, my brother is a tough old bird but he was visibly moved by the images and couldn't watch it to the end. Everyone needs to see this type thing...at least once. No caring human can watch this and not be affected.

Thank you, your post means a lot to me.

[Woogie Man]

Nancy, I was a little surprised at the effect it had on him. We had talked about mills before but I guess he had a different picture in his mind than I thought. I had only seen him get so emotional at family funerals before this. When I say 'tough old bird' about him, I mean this is an ex Navy Seal and Viet Nam era vet.

Thank you for starting the thread.

[Nancy1999]

It's been a year since Michaels Jackson's death and since his song is on this video, I thought I'd bump the thread. I encourage everyone to support the ASPCA's recommendation for making all breeders who sell over 50 dogs a year to register as a commercial breeder. Here's the thread about it, this is really important! http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...mill-bill.html

[red98vett]

I'm glad you bumped it - this kind of thing needs to be foremost on dog sites - so so many people have no idea what these places really are nor do they realize each pet bought in a pet store most likely came from them.

I still can't believe how far behind this country is regarding dogs and the big problem - what is the harm in trying to STOP IT for good ?

oh yeah - money and all the hands it passes thru without anyone caring where the money they're making is coming from, From the day I learned years ago about mills - auctions and all the other things that involve mass breeding and profit..........it has and always will make me SICK that not more is done to stop it

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by red98vett

I'm glad you bumped it - this kind of thing needs to be foremost on dog sites - so so many people have no idea what these places really are nor do they realize each pet bought in a pet store most likely came from them.

I still can't believe how far behind this country is regarding dogs and the big problem - what is the harm in trying to STOP IT for good ?

oh yeah - money and all the hands it passes thru without anyone caring where the money they're making is coming from, From the day I learned years ago about mills - auctions and all the other things that involve mass breeding and profit..........it has and always will make me SICK that not more is done to stop it

I have high hopes for the new legislation. It would make anyone who sells over 50 dogs a year under federal rules. Right now breeders who sell directly to the public over the internet do not need any kind of licensing or regulation. Internet sells are the fastest growing market, now that most people know about not buying through a pet store, but at least these breeders are regulated. They are also trying to beef up the USDA powers of enforcement.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I have high hopes for the new legislation. It would make anyone who sells over 50 dogs a year under federal rules. Right now breeders who sell directly to the public over the internet do not need any kind of licensing or regulation. Internet sells are the fastest growing market, now that most people know about not buying through a pet store, but at least these breeders are regulated. They are also trying to beef up the USDA powers of enforcement.

I agree - it's hope ! The media is doing a pretty good job also putting the word out there - even Pedigree ! which kind of shocked me considering their food etc) but at least people are forced to listen if they have their tv on and one of those sad and true commercials come up.

Now if we could get them to do more regarding animal cruelity that would be something wouldn't it ? Too many turn a blind eye to the disgusting problem this country should NOT be having and it's been going on way way too long.

If people really thought about the thousands of dogs/cats put to sleep due to irresponsible people and CARED .....a big dent would be put into those money making facilities. It has to be so hard for anyone working in shelters to make that walk with a doomed creature. How it's gone on so long is just beyond me. We should be better than this and I know things are being brought to light - but MORE needs to be done.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I have high hopes for the new legislation. It would make anyone who sells over 50 dogs a year under federal rules. Right now breeders who sell directly to the public over the internet do not need any kind of licensing or regulation. Internet sells are the fastest growing market, now that most people know about not buying through a pet store, but at least these breeders are regulated. They are also trying to beef up the USDA powers of enforcement.

Isn't that just sickening that live animals are sold all over the net ? The thing with enforcement of the USDS is they just dont have the manpower and we all know that's a bunch of BS and could easily be changed.

I've read that the number of inspectors vs mills are so far off balance it isn't funny - plus the inspectors let so much slide. I'll never ever understand how someone can see neglect and the massive amounts of miserable dogs sitting in horrible conditions and not try to do something - sure they may write a report - but in reality - the mills are winning.

I really do hope what you said is true and will happen. Baby steps that's for sure but anything is better than nothing

[manolos mom]

Thanks for opening up our eyes. So Sad.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by red98vett

Isn't that just sickening that live animals are sold all over the net ? The thing with enforcement of the USDS is they just dont have the manpower and we all know that's a bunch of BS and could easily be changed.

I've read that the number of inspectors vs mills are so far off balance it isn't funny - plus the inspectors let so much slide. I'll never ever understand how someone can see neglect and the massive amounts of miserable dogs sitting in horrible conditions and not try to do something - sure they may write a report - but in reality - the mills are winning.

I really do hope what you said is true and will happen. Baby steps that's for sure but anything is better than nothing

Yes that's true, but thanks to all the attention, the USDA has written in their new report:

Executive Summary

In the last 2 years, there has been significant media coverage concerning large-scale dog dealers (i.e., breeders and brokers)1 that failed to provide humane treatment for the animals under their care. The breeders, negatively referred to as “puppy mills,” have stirred the interest of the public, Congress, animal rights groups, and others. Accordingly, we conducted an audit of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Animal Care (AC) unit, which is responsible for enforcing the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The audit focused on AC’s inspections of problematic dealers. It is the latest in a series of audits related to AWA.2
In our last audit on animals in research facilities,3 we found that the agency was not aggressively pursuing enforcement actions against violators of AWA and that it assessed minimal monetary penalties against them.4 APHIS agreed to take corrective action by incorporating more specific guidance in its operating manual to address deficiencies in enforcement actions. It also agreed to revise its penalty worksheet to generate higher and more appropriate penalties.In this audit, one objective was to review AC’s enforcement process against dealers that violated AWA. Accordingly, we focused on dealers with a history of violations in the past 3 years.5 Another objective was to review the impact of recent changes the agency made to the penalty assessment process. We identified the following major deficiencies with APHIS’ administration of AWA:
•
AC’s Enforcement Process Was Ineffective Against Problematic Dealers. AC’s enforcement process was ineffective in achieving dealer compliance with AWA and regulations, which are intended to ensure the humane care and treatment of animals. The agency believed that compliance achieved through education6 and cooperation would result in long-term dealer compliance and, accordingly, it chose to take little or no enforcement action against most violators.
However, the agency’s education efforts have not always been successful in deterring problematic dealers from violating AWA. During FYs 2006-2008, at the re-inspection of 4,250 violators, inspectors found that 2,416 repeatedly violated AWA, including some that ignored minimum care standards. Therefore, relying heavily on education for serious or repeat violators—without an appropriate level of enforcement—weakened the agency’s ability to protect the animals.
•
AC Inspectors Did Not Cite or Document Violations Properly To Support Enforcement Actions. Many inspectors were highly committed, conducting timely and thorough inspections and making significant efforts to improve the humane treatment of covered animals. However, we noted that 6 of 19 inspectors7 did not correctly report all repeat or direct violations (those that are generally more serious and affect the animals’ health). Consequently, some problematic dealers were inspected less frequently.
In addition, some inspectors did not always adequately describe violations in their inspection reports or support violations with photos. Between 2000 and 2009, this lack of documentary evidence weakened AC’s case in 7 of the 16 administrative hearings involving dealers.8 In discussing these problems with regional management, they explained that some inspectors appeared to need additional training in identifying violations and collecting evidence.


http://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/33002-4-SF.pdf