[News] Puppymills Getting National Media Attention

[StewiesMom]

Foes have bone to pick with breeders
`Puppy mill' debate opening in Congress

By Kimberly Hefling
Associated Press
Published November 7, 2005


GAP, Pa. -- The colorful, hand-painted signs offering puppies for sale at farms in scenic Lancaster County add to the allure of Amish country.

But animal activists say many of these seemingly innocent farms in Pennsylvania's rolling countryside are a front for lucrative, virtually unregulated operations that crank out hundreds of purebreds, sometimes in miserable conditions.

"If people could understand where the dogs came from, they wouldn't buy them," said Carol Araneo-Mayer, vice president of Adopt a Pet, which has helped find homes for rescued dogs in Lancaster County.

A Senate subcommittee this week hears testimony on legislation that would give the Agriculture Department the power to regulate breeders and dealers who sell directly to consumers. Some breeders and even some animal rescue coordinators worry that the bill would place unneeded regulations on them.

Pennsylvania, which some have called the "Puppy Mill Capital of the East," is not alone in the problem, animal-rights groups said. The Humane Society lists it with Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma as the worst.

A puppy mill, says the Humane Society, is a breeding facility that produces purebred puppies in large numbers. Potential problems, it contends, are overbreeding and inbreeding, substandard food and shelter.

The Internet has made high-volume operations more profitable because they are exempt from federal regulation.

The price depends on the breed. For example, a beagle can go for as low as $50, but a blue American pit bull sells for $900.

The Animal Welfare Act, passed in 1967, set standards for the treatment of animals by breeders, exhibitors, transporters and researchers. It exempts "retail pet stores"--and large breeding operations are considered retailers by the USDA if they sell directly to consumers.

Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) says changes to the animal act are needed. He is chairman of the Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition and General Legislation, which oversees the issue.

The bill is supported by the Humane Society, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the American Kennel Club.

Cheryl Roberts, a breeder in Chester County who opposes Santorum's bill, said some responsibility lies with consumers looking for deals.

Roberts said she is lucky to get $500 for show-quality golden retrievers and she competes with operations that sell the puppies for $125 to $200. Some people see her ad and call to complain.

"I tell people you pay for what you get," she said.

[LvLaila]

I read this article in the newspaper this morning on the metro. I think the pic that is depicted is actually from a nice lady who sells dogs, but does not agree with the puppy mills. She was quoted saying how the new rules against 'puppy mills' would effect legitimate breeders who breed in larger quantities. Where the article said that selling over 15 or so dogs a year, would put you in the category:

"Some breeders and even some animal rescue coordinators worry that the bill would place unneeded regulations on them"

This is where that picture came from. A lady who added to a further conversation regarding this matter of added regualtions. Stating that the puppy mills are ruining it for legit breeders - but not complaining, necessarily, about the laws to help eliminate puppy mills.

Not to contradict this article - just to make sure you all knew that these ADORABLE little puppies (golden's) are not being tortured in a pet mill, but in a breeders home. (Or at least that is what the newspaper that I was reading said - could be wrong though, never know).

[crystalsmom]

We hear alot about this going on in Amish country, here in Ohio also. I'm glad that
Congress is zeroing in on this problem. We need more laws that protect the good
and also make it possible to shut down the bad. It seems to me that akc can come
out to inspect and they can refuse....maybe some sort of inforced inspection would
motivate the bad to clean up their act.

[horse and hound]

AKC does do a yearly inspection on its breeders, and if the breeder isn't complicant they will be shut down and find, until things are improved. But not all breeder use AKC, There are so many registries out there now, CKC, APRI, ACA. just to name a few. Being AKC does not guarentee the quality of puppies registered by them.

[crystalsmom]

When I read a reply that kennels are checked yearly I knew that so many
kennels that are akc are puppymills - just look at the one in Ohio and
Hollybelle etc etc and the one in Texas that Villette has reported and the
list goes on so if that would be the case WHY are they still operating.

I called akc in North Carolina this morning 919-233-9767 and spoke with
Linda and she said, "They only do random inspections once in awhile"

I feel if the law were changed so that the sheriff could come in and do
something if there were law suits and complaints in a county and just
check, they might find things no human being would ever dream. AKC
does a wonderful job in so many areas but they can't
police the entire US. I for one have been hoping to change laws in Ohio
and hope with Congress more aware that maybe laws in the country can
be changed.

[whispersmom2]

Unfortunately, the bill being pushed is involved with the PETA group and I want no parts of anything they are in..I hate the Amish millers so badly that I will not buy Amish cole slaw or Amish potato salad at the grocery store...
AKC is a registry and not the doggy police. Their aim is toward keeping more accurate records and hopefully by doing that, lines can be traced and some genetic diseases can be tracked..

[crystalsmom]

I hate these Amish breeders too but didn't know Peta was behind this bill. They
are totally off the wall. Well then let's all write our congressmen and tell them
that those of us who don't agree with the Peta bill; do have strong opinions
about puppy mills and want laws changed so something can be done to stop
this abuse. Everyone is welcome to their own opinion about Peta of course.

[ollielvr]

Its very sad that people can't be responsible for each and every puppy thats born in our country. I think there should be harsh punishment for these people that think they can do whatever they want just because they are dealing with animals. The pictures on the news were so sad and unreal to me. Everyone needs to know what to look out for so these people can be reported. Thanks for listening!

[Pepper34]

I am new to YT. Here is a link that I found to help stop the sales of puppies in pet stores that my have been bred in at puppy mills.

http://www.petitiononline.com/AdoptOut/petition.html

[yorklvr]

Good morning. I have been searching everything yorkie.... and came across your "Yorkie Talk" site. How charming to see everyone sharing different viewpoints. If you don't mind, I would like to get your input on another viewpoint I recently came across. Here is a link to a website that introduced me to some disturbing views: http://dogpolitics.typepad.com/my_we...ws_bill_r.html. It discusses the idea that a microchip manufacturer is using this "paws legislation" and a few other introduced bills, to make their microchip the only legal chip you can use. And by making every breeder that falls under the paws bill use microchips. I know paws doesn't say anything about chips but I did see another bill that said everyone that needs to be licensed must use a certain chip.

[Mydogkelsey]

Originally Posted by yorklvr

Good morning. I have been searching everything yorkie.... and came across your "Yorkie Talk" site. How charming to see everyone sharing different viewpoints. If you don't mind, I would like to get your input on another viewpoint I recently came across. Here is a link to a website that introduced me to some disturbing views: http://dogpolitics.typepad.com/my_we...ws_bill_r.html. It discusses the idea that a microchip manufacturer is using this "paws legislation" and a few other introduced bills, to make their microchip the only legal chip you can use. And by making every breeder that falls under the paws bill use microchips. I know paws doesn't say anything about chips but I did see another bill that said everyone that needs to be licensed must use a certain chip.

Thanks...and welcome to YT! You'll love it here!

[Akitakt]

I am new to Yorkie Talk. But when I read this post I had to respond. First of all, just because PETA is involved in getting something done, doesn't make it bad. Like them or not, PETA is VERY effective at getting things accomplished for animals. They get attention and get things done. You can't argue with that. You may not like all their tactics but you've obviously noticed them. And that's what they want... for people to stop and pay attention to animal abuse. When PETA steps in, people get nervous and they should be. Because PETA has saved a lot of animals from needless suffering. And animal abusers hate PETA. If it takes PETA getting involved to get congress to start paying attention to puppy mills and notice Lancaster then welcome PETA. Be glad they are helping. Write them a thank note.

In fact, before you say PETA is "off the wall" visit their website http://www.peta.org and read about some of their campaigns. I bet you will come to appreciate what they are doing for animals all over the world. Why do you think so many celebrities, like Bill Maher, Charlize Theron and Martha Stewart have done public service announcements for them, for free. Because they are very effective at helping animals.

[Akitakt]

Thank you for your post. This bill may have come forward with some help from PETA, but it's not a PETA bill. But you are right, we should all write our congresspeople/senators/etc. I have done this.

[txshopper73]

Originally Posted by Akitakt

First of all, just because PETA is involved in getting something done, doesn't make it bad. Like them or not, PETA is VERY effective at getting things accomplished for animals. They get attention and get things done. You can't argue with that. You may not like all their tactics but you've obviously noticed them. And that's what they want... for people to stop and pay attention to animal abuse. When PETA steps in, people get nervous and they should be. Because PETA has saved a lot of animals from needless suffering. And animal abusers hate PETA. If it takes PETA getting involved to get congress to start paying attention to puppy mills and notice Lancaster then welcome PETA. Be glad they are helping. Write them a thank note.

I know that PETA sorta has a bad rep but for once, join hands with the "enemy". They are in this to shut down puppymills. Who can argue with that?

Excellent news, Kristy! I don't know how I missed it when you posted it!

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by Akitakt

I am new to Yorkie Talk. But when I read this post I had to respond. First of all, just because PETA is involved in getting something done, doesn't make it bad. Like them or not, PETA is VERY effective at getting things accomplished for animals. They get attention and get things done. You can't argue with that. You may not like all their tactics but you've obviously noticed them. And that's what they want... for people to stop and pay attention to animal abuse. When PETA steps in, people get nervous and they should be. Because PETA has saved a lot of animals from needless suffering. And animal abusers hate PETA. If it takes PETA getting involved to get congress to start paying attention to puppy mills and notice Lancaster then welcome PETA. Be glad they are helping. Write them a thank note.

I totally agree. While I am not a PETA person they have been one organization that has gone after many of the animal abuses in the world. You also need to know that the Humane Society of America, Best Friends of Utah and Doris Day's Animal Rescue is fully supporting this bill to name a few.

I will tell you I have a lot of questions regarding this bill but hopefully calmer heads will prevail with some of the interpretations of the bill.