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Originally Posted by Woogie Man  Well, I was curiously amused and *somewhat* offended by your post. I'm surprised that a topic such as this thread got sidetracked, but I guess it's part of one big umbrella subject.
I have no use for millers and won't humor them by referring to them as 'farmers'. Just because you may see farmers, millers and even hunting groups opposing legislation doesn't mean they're in cahoots. I think it has more to do with some of the legislation being pushed around the country and is a backlash. Some of these groups now see all animal protection bills as a threat and are digging their heels in. This bill was carefully crafted yet still failed. You know, the whole slippery slope thing you mentioned.
I may be completely wrong, but I don't think puppy mills are that big of a business in Mississippi. I've looked at the USDA list and there are only a few listings for MS. I don't know of any other way to check other than googling around for breeders in MS with web sites and judging from there. There are many irresponsible breeders here, to be sure, but I don't think so many that would fit the classic idea of a puppy mill. Of course, that is subjective and one's byb could be another's puppy mill. |
Well, I certainly didn't mean to offend, and actually I felt like I was agreeing with everything you said and we were just pondering reasons why the bill failed. I certainly don't know why though. Sorry, if I came off as a know-it-all. That's a part of my writing style that I would like to change. I do agree with you there is a great backlash and that could be one of the reasons why the bill failed. When you mentioned the word "lobbyist" I just believe they work together. Not the actual farmers, puppy millers, and hunters, but the lobbyists, you know, "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours". I wonder how you could get some concrete answers? I wonder if your representatives would tell you the truth?
One thing I have read is that not all millers are on the USDA list. Fines in some states are so small for not being listed as a commercial breeder, it's much cheaper to just pay the fine if you are caught, and fly under the radar. I think in MO, someone was saying the fine is $25.00 if you are caught, so what's the incentive to sign up, and know that you could be inspected?