A.G. Out Loud! » puppy mills

USDA Fails to Crack Down on Puppy mills

Anne — Thu, 27 May 2010 06:36:47 +0000

This just ticks me off. How are people ok with this??!! -Anne

WASHINGTON — Federal investigators have uncovered grisly conditions at puppy mills around the country where dogs were infested with ticks, living with gaping wounds and in pools of feces, according to a disturbing new report that placed the blame on lax enforcement.

Investigators say the Agriculture Department agency in charge of enforcing the Animal Welfare Act often ignores repeat violations, waives penalties and doesn’t adequately document inhumane treatment of dogs.

In one case cited by the department’s inspector general, 27 dogs died at an Oklahoma breeding facility after inspectors had visited the facility several times and cited it for violations.

The review, conducted between 2006 and 2008, found more than half of those large kennels — known as puppy mills — had already been cited for violations flouted the law again.

The report recommends that the animal care unit at the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service immediately confiscate animals that are dying or seriously suffering, and better train its inspectors to document, report and penalize wrongdoing.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Tuesday the department takes the report seriously and will move to immediately improve enforcement, penalties and inspector training. He noted the investigation was conducted before his time in office and called it troubling.

“USDA will reinforce its efforts under its animal welfare responsibilities, including tougher penalties for repeat offenders and greater consistent action to strongly enforce the law,” he said.

The investigators visited 68 dog breeders and dog brokers in eight states that had been cited for at least one violation in the previous three years. On those visits, they found that first-time violators were rarely penalized, even for more serious violations, and repeat offenders were often let off the hook as well. The agency also gave some breeders a second chance to correct their actions even when they found animals dying or suffering, delaying confiscation of the animals.

The agency placed too much emphasis on educating the violators instead of penalizing them, the report added.
“The agency believed that compliance achieved through education and cooperation would result in long-term dealer compliance and, accordingly, it chose to take little or no enforcement action against most violators,” the report said.

In the case of the Oklahoma breeding facility where 27 dogs died, the breeder had been cited for 29 violations, including nine repeated violations, from February 2006 to January 2007. The inspector returned in November 2007 before any enforcement action had taken place, according to the report, and found five dead dogs and “other starving dogs that had resorted to cannibalism.”

Despite these conditions, the inspectors did not immediately confiscate the surviving dogs and, the report says, 22 additional dogs died before the breeder’s license was revoked.

The inspector general also noted that some large breeders circumvent the law by selling dogs over the Internet. Inspectors said they identified 112 breeders in the eight states they monitored that were not licensed by USDA and thus not eligible for inspections.

Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, said the report confirms what animal rights groups have been charging for years.

“Enforcement is flaccid, the laws are weak and reform needs to happen,” he said. “We have long criticized having the animal welfare enforcement functions within a bureaucracy dedicated to promoting American agriculture. There’s a built-in conflict of interest.”

Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and David Vitter, R-La., said Tuesday that they are introducing legislation to close the loophole in the law that allows breeders to operate online. Both senators said they will work with USDA to ensure changes are made throughout the agency.

The inspector general’s office conducted three previous reports in the last 20 years, the latest in 2005, all of which also found shortcomings with the agency’s enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.

Hat tip to The Dog Files

Animal Planet Investigates Petland

Anne — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:18:38 +0000

Tonight, May 17th at 10pm EST, and then again May 18th at 12am and 5am, Animal Planet will have a one hour show investigating Petland. As some of you may know, this is an issue near and dear to my heart because I got Zoey at Petland before I even knew what a puppy mill was. I now know better and will never support them in any way again. Tell everyone you know about this important show.

Here’s a description of the show:

Revealing the grim connection between puppy mills and pet stores, the one-hour program follows “Mike,” an HSUS animal cruelty investigator, as he assumes a new identity, goes undercover with a hidden camera, and talks his way into dozens of alleged puppy mills in the Midwest suspected by The HSUS to be suppliers to Petland, a major chain of pet stores.

While exposing the heartbreaking deception behind puppy mill dogs, this second program in the Animal Planet Investigates series offers another unique opportunity to go behind the scenes with The HSUS to highlight the massive efforts involved in cracking down on an industry which perpetuates a cycle of animal cruelty.

Tony La Russa Helps Fight Puppy Mills in Missouri

Anne — Wed, 12 May 2010 05:21:37 +0000

I hope and pray that this Puppy Mills Cruelty Prevention Act is passed in Missouri and that other states then follow in Missouri’s footsteps. And… thank you so much to Tony La Russa of the St. Louis Cardinals for lending your name and support to this cause! -Anne

Big Names Helping Ballot Initiative

ST. LOUIS – A ballot initiative is using well-known names like Tony La Russa to help support its cause.

St. Louis Cardinals manager, Tony La Russa, has teamed up with some politicians and veterinarians to put an end to puppy mills. La Russa and eight other members are now participants in the Puppy Mills Reform Committee. Created by the Missourians For the Protection of Dogs group, the committee aims to fight against and take a stand against Missouri’s current puppy mills.

“Missouri is known as the Puppy Mills Capital of America,” says La Russa. The organization estimates that there are currently 3,000 puppy mills in America alone. These facilities breed and store new born dogs in small, dirty wire cages with insufficient food and water supply, little medical attention, and little room to exercise.

The Puppy Mills Reform Committee focuses on passing the Puppy Mills Cruelty Prevention Act. This statewide ballot would limit the number of breeding dogs to 50 per facility, demand animals receive adequate food and living conditions, and allow puppies to receive veterinary care. This would apply to all breeders except those raising hunting dogs or those with 10 or fewer female dogs.

If passed Missouri to join several other states that have enacted similar laws through their state legislatures.

Another organization says the push to pass the ballot issue is under the guise to stop puppy mills while actually causing serious challenges for livestock farmers. The Missourians for Animal Care group is trying to get its perspective out through Facebook and online campaigns.

You can learn more by visiting the Missourians for Animal Care and Missourians for the Protection of Dogs websites. (Also check out the Missourians for Animal Care Facebook page and the Missourians for the Protection of Dogs Facebook page.)

Reported by: Matthew Krocheski
Edited by: Robert Kessler

Oprah Rescues Again!

Anne — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:36:40 +0000

Gotta love Miss Oprah for practicing what she preaches after investigating puppy mills and exposing the awful practices of the dog industry/pet stores. For her birthday this year, she rescued two springer spaniels from PAWS Chicago. Sunny and Lauren are now two of the luckiest dogs in the world (along with my dogs of course!) I loved that Ali Wentworth gave Oprah collars from “Bling For Your Bitch”. They are gorgeous…not to mention they are so cleverly named.

Thank you Oprah for spreading the word on the joys of dog rescue/adoption.

Happy Adoption Day Stella!

Anne — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 07:55:33 +0000

A year ago today we rescued Stella…our lovable, slightly crazy little girl! I still can’t believe that Don agreed to get a third dog! She came to the rescue we got her from as a surrender from a puppy mill. Apparently she was the result of an accidental breeding between an Italian Greyhound and a Jack Russell. When the puppy mill owner couldn’t sell her to his pet store clientele, he didn’t have a need for her. Luckily a lady in the area convinced him to surrender Stella to STAFF instead of disposing of her. I found her on Petfinder, my favorite resource to find dogs who need homes.

We love our little girl, (even with her crazy crackhead puppy/Jack Russell energy), and I’m so glad that she got a second chance at life. Please…if you’re thinking of getting a dog, consider adoption/rescue. If you have any questions about rescue, post them here in the comments field or feel free to email me at agoutloud@gmail.com.

New Year’s Resolutions

Anne — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:36:56 +0000

Ah New Year’s Eve. The day where we reflect on the year behind us and make goals for the year ahead. Here’s what’s on my family’s mind:

I’m very thankful for being adopted this year. I’m glad that my parents decided to rescue and not buy. I’m also happy to have three siblings…two chihuahuas and a baby. My New Year’s resolution is to try to be less of a “crazy-crackhead” as mom and dad call me. I’ll try to stop harassing Leroy so much and tone down the barking. Course the reality is that New Year’s resolutions are meant to be broken, right?

2009 was a little traumatic. First Mom and Dad brought in that crazy Stella and then this thing that they call “baby”. How much change can a girl take? I’m hoping that this next year there will be no more surprises. I resolve to continue being the sweet, cuddly (and slightly needy) chihuahua that I already am.

I knew there was a baby coming this year! I love my baby. In 2010 I will continue to protect my baby and sit with him on Mom’s lap whenever possible. I will try hard to not mark, but all I gotta say is it’s a good thing Mom has all hard flooring in her house. I also vow to lose a little weight…don’t want to be too chunky for the ladies.

Ok…Enough with the dogs and their resolutions. Here are mine:

I want to take this blog to the next level. I want to reach out to as many people as I can who love dogs. I want to spread the word about how important it is to:

1. Adopt a dog instead of buying one

2. Spay and neuter your dog

3. Make sure you’re ready to be a responsible dog owner before you get a dog.

If you enjoy reading A.G. Out Loud…tell a friend. Also, if you love dogs, consider making a New Year’s Resolution to help homeless pets. Volunteer at your local shelter, run a 5k and raise money for a dog charity, educate the people around you about the joys of adopting/rescuing and the dirty little secret in the dog industry that is pet stores/puppy mills. I know that the economy is not the best, but it’s times like these when dogs need our help even more. We can all make a difference for millions of homeless, abused and neglected dogs…so what are you waiting for?

What are your New Year’s resolutions? What will you commit to doing this year for dogs?

Nebraska Residents: This is IMPORTANT

Anne — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:21:47 +0000

I just received this email that was sent by Judy Varner, the president and CEO of the Nebraska Humane Society. I’m always hearing people complain that they can’t do anything about the whole puppy mill situation because it’s just too big. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO!!!! Please read the message below. I will list the information of people to contact at the end of the post. Please take a few minutes to contact these people and help fight against puppy mills.

“A new Law has been introduced in the Nebraska Legislature that will drive the inspection of puppy mills back to being complaint driven only. Thousands of dogs and puppies will suffer horribly if this is allowed to happen!!! All too often, puppy mills sell their puppies only through the internet. That means no one ever sees the hell where the dogs live. No one can see the horrors that the dogs or cats must be forced to endure – tiny cages, wire floors, living in their own feces, filthy water too thick to drink, never seeing the sun, never feeling grass to run in, never, never, never…………… YOU SIMPLY MUST ACT NOW. THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE.

LB 6 was introduced by Senator Tom Carlson. It will make regular inspection of puppy mills go away. Inspection prior to obtaining a license – gone. Horrible pain and suffering, here to stay!!!!!! Please contact (e-mail or by phone) the members of the Agriculture Committee listed on this attachment today!!!! Ask them to kill LB 6 now – do not let it get out of Committee. Because the special session is so short, there is no time to waste!!!!! Be polite, thank their staff members who answer the phone for their time, but ask that LB 6 be killed in Committee.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!!! IF EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US CONTACTS THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE, WE CAN GET IT KILLED. Now is the time to show the legislature that the animals lovers of Nebraska do not want Nebraska to become known as a puppy mill state ever again – ACT RIGHT NOW!! PLEASE!!!!

From the thousands of animals whose lives have been made better by the State inspectors - THANK YOU!!!”

Judy Varner

President & CEO

Nebraska Humane Society

8929 Fort Street

Omaha, Nebraska 68134

Phone: (402)444-7800 Ext. 215

Fax: (402)546-1746

Website: www.nehumanesociety.org

Agricultural Committee (please contact all members):

Tom Carlson: 402-471-2732 Email: tcarlson@leg.ne.gov

Brenda Council: 402-471-2612 Email: bcouncil@leg.ne.gov

M.L. “Cap” Dierks: 402-471-2801 Email: mdierks@leg.ne.gov

Annette Dubas: 402-471-2630 Email: adubas@leg.ne.gov

Russ Karpisek: 402-471-2711 Email: rkarpisek@leg.ne.gov

Scott Price: 402-471-2627 Email: sprice@leg.ne.gov

Ken Schilz: 402-471-2616 Email: kschilz@leg.ne.gov

Norm Wallman: 402-471-2620 Email: nwallman@leg.ne.gov

The Littlest Pet Shop-Sending the Wrong Message?

Anne — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:36:37 +0000

I’ve seen these toys for several years now and always think they are so cute. I love that there are so many different dog breed figurines available. But something has always rubbed me wrong about this brand…it’s name. My life’s mission is to educate people on how to get and own a dog responsibly. This includes exposing the pet store/puppy mill industry and their horrific treatment of dogs. I know it’s tempting to go into these pet shops. All the adorable little puppies in various breeds are right there and easy to buy, but the reality of the situation is much more bleak.

This is why the name “littlest pet shop” really bothers me. I know that kids just see these toys and think “cute animals”, but the idea that “cute animals” come from pet shops is a message that I don’t want to be passed on. I really think that they could still sell the toys-but change the name. Or-even better-change the name AND donate a portion of the proceeds to animal charities. I’m shocked at how many people don’t realize what happens in the dog industry, so we need more education and exposure, not more glorification of pet stores.

Julia Kamysz Lane from Bark Magazine’s blog wrote about this almost two years ago and I want to include her commentary on the brand:

Littlest Pet Shop Glosses Over Harsh Reality

“My three-year-old niece is enamored with the Littlest Pet Shop line of toys. As I struggled to open her latest collection of admittedly adorable creatures, it was all I could do not to throw them in the trash and lecture on the horrors of puppy mills and corporate greed. On its Web site, toy maker Hasbro infers that the Littlest Pet Shop promotes responsibility by allowing children to collect a variety of animals without the um … responsibility of caring for live pets. Nice marketing spin but I’m literally not buying it. And it pains me to see kids play with a product that only shows one side of the commercial pet industry.

Perhaps Hasbro could add some new locales to its collection for a more well-rounded perspective. How about the Littlest Pet Shelter, where many pet shop puppies eventually end up due to the health and behavior problems that result from poor breeding, malnutrition and lack of socialization? Or the Littlest Commercial Breeder, where purebred dogs are kept in cages and forced to reproduce as often and as long as they are able. Once the breeding pairs no longer prove useful, they can go to the Littlest Pet Auction, available to the highest bidder.

It’s possible to teach children how to take proper care of animals without promoting or glorifying pet shops. Many therapy dog groups, such as Therapy Dogs International (of which I’m a member) and Delta Society offer children an opportunity to interact with a healthy, friendly dog and learn about his needs. Some libraries and schools smartly encourage kids to read aloud to therapy dogs, as a way to improve their reading skills without fear of judgment. Or you could always give them an old-fashioned stuffed animal to hug, pet and feed.”

Julia Kamysz Lane

So while these little animal figurines are cute, I will not be purchasing any for my future children or for anyone else’s child. Come on Hasbro-you can still sell adorable kids toys, just choose to send a responsible message.

Boycott Petland and Puppymills-Support Rescues

Anne — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:02:29 +0000

This video, made by animal activist Jerry Borders, addresses the link between Petland and puppy mills. It’s not very long, so please watch it, especially if you’ve never heard of a puppy mill. We can all do something to help save these wonderful dogs and not stepping foot into Petland or any other pet store that sells dogs is an easy way to help.

*PetSmart on the other hand does NOT sell dogs, but supports rescues and shelters.

Thanks to Bernie Berlin of A Place To Bark for finding this video!