TV puppymill investigations

March 27, 2009

Hello All,

I get an interesting perspective on things like this as I get messages from an animal rights group, you guys, and an anti pet-law group. The AR (animal rights) people, for the most part want to do away with all domestic animals. Food animals, companion animals, working, everyone, well taken cared of or not. The other side is the anti pet-law group, who try to fight mandatory spay and neuter laws, number of animals you can keep, dock/crop laws etc.

While everyone understands that puppy mills are bad, over-breeding and inbreeding is bad and the like, there are many factors to each argument. Many laws that are targeting the puppy mills are also making it extremely difficult for hobby breeders to do what they love. Many states, for example have huge registration fees for intact dogs, $500-$800 dollars each. In my opinion, these are the people who should be allowed to breed, the people who have normal jobs, but have a manageable number of dogs, no more than 5 breeding bitches and have maybe 2/3 litters a year. People who's only income is their 25 + breeding dogs is who you should look out for. But I can also understand the mandatory spay and neuter laws. This would hopefully keep the idiots from breeding their dog to their buddies or neighbors dog, just b/c of same breed, they want their children to witness the miracle of birth etc. Breeders who know about

genealogy, genetics and problems associated with their breed, who put in enormous effort, time and $, who raise dog in their home or a small kennel should, in my opinion, should be left alone.

I find the ARs disturbing and much more troubling than the pro-pet people. At least the two I was having a "friendly debate" with and the extrema PETA types. They want what they call a "forced extinction" of all domestic animals. Nice huh? No matter how an animal is treated, they claim these animals are a product of human manipulation and greed and should not be in existence because they could not live without humans, humans created them and humans should annihilate them. The claim that domestic animals bring joy to our lives, help the dissabled, detect drugs, bombs and people and all the other ways they enrich our lives, dont matter in the least to them. Not to mention that these days, dogs and cats are most peoples last connection to the natural world and other animals. Their broken record arguments "the ends dont justify the means, its not moral, they dont have a choice, they have no free will" are all they have to say to

justify their point of view.

Anyway, just some perspective. -kate

Deedee <d2or3d2or3Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 2:38:16 PM TV puppymill investigations 3/27 & 4/27 + news on inbreeding, breeders, Petland

1) ABC's NIGHTLINE:

WATCH puppy mill investigation, Fri., 3/27, 11:35 pm ET:

http://rescuedratti es.blogspot. com/2009/ 03/abc-nightline -investigates- puppymills. html

and

READ article: "Best of Breed? Pedigree Dogs Face Disease -- Critics Say Purebred Dogs Have Health Problems Because of Inbreeding, Show Standards"http://abcnews. go.com/Nightline /Story?id= 7055788 & page=3

---> My favorite quote, which is so true, and I wish the whole country knew it: "ASPCA president Sayres said, 'A responsible breeder would no more sell their puppies through a pet shop than a responsible parent would sell their children on eBay.'" ALSO NOTE: The AKC declined to be interviewed.

2) ANIMAL PLANET: WATCH "PUPPY MILLS: EXPOSED," Mon., 4/27, 10 pm ET/PT, a special episode of "ANIMAL COPS: PHILADELPHIA"

http://www.foxbusin ess.com/story/ animal-planet- exposes-horrific -billion- dollar-industry- new-special- puppy-mills/

3) ABC News article: "Owners Worry About Puppies That Came From Petland -- Owners suspect Petland puppies' medical, behavioral problems a result of puppy mill breeding"

http://abcnews. go.com/US/ wireStory? id=7134878

4) Class-action lawsuit against Petland:

http://www.hsus. org/press_ and_publications /press_releases/ petland_litigati on_sm_031709. html

5) Huge Ark. puppymill bust (read about the poor senior Akita and others; see photo):

http://hsus. typepad.com/ wayne/2009/ 03/seals- puppy-mill. html ---> Scan down under the seal hunt news (also very sad)

6) Just as I thought, at least one breeder org (Nat'l Inst of Canine Experts...oh brother!) foamed at the mouth over Oprah's adoption of two shelter puppies who contracted parvo. It's very obvious that the breeders -- the very group who supports puppy mills and backyard breeders -- do not support shelter or rescue dogs...the very dogs that they sell off and that land in irresponsible owners' hands.

http://niceorg. wordpress. com/2009/ 03/24/paws- chicago-gives- oprah-a-sick- puppy-ivan- dies-of-parvo/

7) Facts on registering a dog with the AKC:

http://www.nppmwatc h.com/AKC. html