By DAN KEGLEY/Staff
Local authorities were unaware of a puppy mill the Humane Society of the United States found in Atkins during a five-month investigation that triggered in Hillsville a dog rescue said to be the largest in U.S. history.
Sheriff David Bradley said Thursday neither his office nor the county animal control office was investigating the reported puppy mill, the common term for commercial breeding operations that keep female dogs continuously pregnant, producing puppies for sale, frequently to pet stores.
The sheriff said any investigation would likely be handled by federal authorities enforcing U.S. laws governing animal welfare. Neither office had been contacted by any federal agency, but they typically would not be informed of federal investigations, Bradley said.
But Stephanie Shain, outreach specialist and puppy mill expert for HSUS, said Thursday any follow-up on the mill’s discovery is up to local officials. Shain said she would soon contact local law enforcement authorities to report the Atkins operation.
Atkins was among the localities across Virginia where HSUS “uncovered in an extensive investigation… over 900 commercial puppy dealers, with 98 percent of them not licensed by the federal government’s animal care agency,” an HSUS release said.
That agency is the U.S. Department of Agriculture that sets requirements for the care of commercial animals, from circus elephants to dairy cattle to dogs used in breeding operations.
In this region, HSUS undercover investigators found puppy mills in Hillsville, Jewel Ridge, Ferrum, Staunton, and Lynchburg. They found pet stores buying the mills’ puppies in Fredericksburg, Ashland, Midlothian and Waynesboro, the HSUS said.
Carroll County officials began removing more than 350 puppies and 700 adult dogs, including 650 breeding females, from the Hillsville breeding operation after HSUS published the findings of its investigation. Horton’s Pups has a license to keep 500 puppies, Carroll County Administrator Gary Larrowe said, but there were 1,080 at the kennel before volunteers began removing them last Saturday.
HSUS said the removal of the Hillsville dogs is thought to be the largest puppy mill rescue in U.S. history.
In contrast to the Hillsville operation, HSUS said no more than 65 dogs are involved at the Atkins mill that apparently sells puppies directly to buyers via Internet advertising. With its small size, the Atkins mill “is typical of the operations selling over the Internet or in newspapers,” Shain said.
The HSUS investigators’ narrative said the Atkins site is a home “on a residential street. About 30-50 dogs live in a kennel behind the house. Dogs are on a cement floor in kennels. The building is equipped with tarps which can be rolled down to provide shade or serve as a wind block. The dogs in the kennel appeared neglected. It looked as though no one had cleaned feces out of the kennel in a week or so—the dogs were living in piled up filth, their coats were matted with dirt and feces. From this kennel [the owner] brought out a Yorkshire Terrier she tried to sell to us. The dog appeared an obvious mixed breed to us.”
Shain said Thursday the owner likely remains unaware that the people visiting were HSUS investigators.
“We went into the house to look at other Yorkie pups,” the investigators reported. “About 15 dogs were loose in the kitchen and living room, most of them Yorkies but also a few small poodles and other small breeds. The house was quite dirty, especially the living room, which was completely given over to dogs. A small makeshift cage in the middle of the living room housed a litter of 1 1/2 week old Yorkie puppies. An outdoor kennel, also in the living room, housed about half-dozen Yorkie females, about four months old. [The owner] told us these would be ‘breeders.’
“The dogs in the house did not appear to be neglected [or] mistreated, but again, the dogs outside did,” the investigators said.
Shain said an anonymous tip led HSUS investigators to the Atkins puppy mill she identified Thursday by the owner’s name and phone number. Through other sources the News & Messenger learned the mill’s location but is withholding that information and the owner’s name because no charges have been filed in the case.
HSUS targeted Virginia for investigation, Shain said Thursday, because of the number of complaints the agency received from Virginia pet stores about dogs raised in the state. HSUS officials were surprised by what they found in the Commonwealth.
Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the HSUS, said in a release the agency found “a massive, unregulated puppy mill and pet trade industry in Virginia—on a scale no one had imagined.”
“We know that this is the tip of the iceberg,“ Shain said in the release. “This investigation suggests that the puppy mill industry is larger than any of us thought, and that operators within the industry are skirting federal oversight in huge numbers.“
The HSUS’ release of its investigation’s findings is not the first news in the region about dogs rescued from a breeding operation. Last month, a Utah-based animal welfare organization staged a clandestine buyout of a troubled puppy mills’ dogs in Bland County with the help of local humane society members. Best Friends’ Animal Society bought 167 dogs from Amish farmer Ivan Schmucker Jr., saying in a release the buyout “had to be done under conditions of extreme security until we had the animals safely in our custody.”
John Polis, public relations manager for Best Friends, said the organization assumed “the dogs would not be sold to a rescue group,” because the organization worked secretly, though unsuccessfully, to get Bland County officials to deny Schmucker a Conditional Use Permit to operate his Mechanicsburg kennel.
Polis also refused to release information on the price Best Friends paid to purchase the dogs.
Best Friends has been involved with the Schmucker controversy since it began in March when Schmucker’s Dogwood Kennels was destroyed by fire that killed 192 dogs.
After the fire Schmucker was found to not have the correct permit for his kennel. Following a heated public hearing and hours of research, in late June the Bland County Board of Supervisors granted Schmucker approval for a conditional use permit to rebuild the kennel.
Puppy mills are known as a group for conditions often described as heartbreaking. Those conditions – an unsanitary environment, overcrowding, and lax provision of clean, fresh water and food—after falls below USDA-mandated standards. Mill puppies are more likely to have severe health problems, genetic defects and behavioral issues, HSUS said. Puppy mill conditions can include over-breeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, crowded cages, and lack of socialization.
In Virginia, the HSUS investigation found:
— Puppies sold to pet stores, and directly to buyers—at six weeks old, not eight weeks as mandated by the Animal Welfare Act.
— Puppies with severe health problems, sold at a reduced price to “unload them” to pet stores and ultimately to the public.
— A breeder for 25 years, operating with a criminal record for animal cruelty and without a license, selling hundreds of puppies over the Internet.
— Kennels with malnourished breeding dogs, operated outside basic animal care laws requiring adequate food, water and shelter.
HSUS said dogs kept for breeding in puppy mills suffer for years. They are bred as often as possible, and then are killed or sold through auction “like a used car.”
It gets worse. HSUS has a record of a non-veterinary-trained puppy mill owner performing a caesarian section on a dog, then botching the surgical wound closure. The dog survived the ensuing massive internal infection after HSUS intervention and intensive treatment.
That may be an extreme and, one can only hope, isolated case. But HSUS said it is working for mill owners’ compliance with laws and for stronger legislation governing the spectrum of animal care.
Like most states, HSUS said, Virginia does not have a state kennel inspection program to ensure dog breeders provide basic humane standards like clean water and veterinary care. The HSUS said it “is determined to require higher standards for breeding kennels in Virginia and across the country, and require all large-scale breeders to be licensed and inspected at least once a year.”
The profusion of puppy mills is consumer driven, the HSUS said, and the organization is also working to make the public aware that too many pet store purchases are keeping mills in business.
Shain said in the release, “We also need to stop consumers from buying dogs from pet stores and from deceptive breeders, because that is only allowing this business to thrive. HSUS favors adoptions from shelters and breed rescue groups, but if people are intent on buying from a breeder, they need to find people who are not operating these deplorable puppy mills.“
On Thursday Shain said puppy buyers need to see for themselves where the puppy came from to be sure no mill was involved. And a listing in the classified ads is no guarantee of a healthy and happy outcome of a puppy purchase.
“Most people assume an ad in the classifieds is someone with a couple of dogs to sell,” Shain said. “Go and see for yourself.”
Rex Bowman and Nate Hubbard, Media General News Service, contributed.
Another disgusting story concerning puppy mills. I am so glad that the HSUS is investigating these terrible places. I have never nor will I ever buy a dog from a breeder or a puppy store. Go look thru our local shelters first…you may be surprised with a loving dog to take home with you. I did 3 times! Thank you for writing this story and making even more people aware of puppy mills.
This is why you should never buy dogs and puppys from breeders. You are funding this type of neglect. If there is no demand then there would be no greedy puppymills in operation. Pet stores that sell dogs may get there dogs from these puppymills as well. Beware of ads that say dog for sale, it could be a puppymill. With just a little effort you can find a great companion from your local shelter. many of these animals are pure bred. You will also save alot of money. Have your pet spayed or neutered. Don’t buy pets while pets are dying at Shelters!
The previous commentators aren’t making any sense. It’s great to rescue dogs from shelters, but if there aren’t any breeders, where will pedigreed, quality pure bred dogs come from? I won’t support rabid animal rights groups like VA PAWS, HSUS, Best Friends, etc., in establishing themselves as the new commercial breeders (“puppy mills” in their language), but that’s exactly where they’re heading with this. I also do not support them in their Nazi jackboot “undercover” tactics, stealing dogs like Junior Horton’s to resell at 100% pure profit. “Greedy” indeed! Condoning this behavior is funding and supporting VA PAWS’, HSUS’, and Best Friends’ degradation of your Constitutional Rights. Shame on anyone who falls for it!
The reason why this and other puppy mills exist is typical “Wal-Mart” mentality. Sellers who care nothing for the product they are selling and buyers not caring how and where it is produced.
I am a Breeder of Purebred Dachshunds. We have 5, that’s right, 5 Dachshunds. The puppy mills that have been recently ousted have been around forever and no one ever cared. If buyers had the proper knowledge, you would know to never buy from a Pet Store or Breeder with more than 12 breeding dogs.
I support our local shelters 100%, but the reason the pups are there is 50% the breeders fault and 50% the owners fault. It takes money to properly care for a pet. The phrase “There is no such thing as a free puppy” is VERY True. I tell all my potential customers that if they cannot afford my prices, then they can’t afford to properly care for MY puppy.
I must commend Vanessa from RR for successfully adopting 3 times, but that is not always the case. Many dogs in shelters have been mentally and physically abused. Not everyone is capable of handling such a pet nor are they prepared for the potential time-bomb they possess. So, it is very controversial if money is saved by getting a dog from a shelter. If high debt and court costs are not a problem for you, then help all the homeless dogs you can.
I started breeding for 2 reasons, 1. Betterment of the Breed. 2. Providing knowledge to the Public.
Am I adding to the already ballooning unwanted pet population? No. All my contracts clearly state that if you can no longer care for your Dachshund, then it becomes my dog. Anyone who breeds out of love for the breed will have a clearly written and strict contract. I shun all commercial breeders, puppy millers, puppy brokers, and pet stores. They are a disgrace to the profession and the community. So, before you shoot down EVERY breeder, try to remember how our own local problems effect YOUR decisions. Do you spit on every local cop because some rape and sell drugs?
Do you curse every school teacher for the perversions of some?
Are you someone that groups “like” people together and hates them all?
Most new and experienced owners of Dachshunds have no clue how to properly raise and care for them. That is why we provide 100% customer support/service to all of our customers for the lifetime of their companion.
Truthfully, I do not advertise locally because of the views that people have on dogs. If you think $100 buys you a quality pet, then you really need to reconsider. That $100 pet could turn into a $3,000 pet hours after you purchase it. Then it may never live to see its first birthday.
I admit that there are many bad breeders in our area, but how is that any different than evils in any other profession? Lawyers, Judges, Police Officers, Teachers, Doctors, etc… dismantle human lives everyday.
So before you cast the first stone…become educated on the topic.
So remember:
1. There is no such thing as a Cheap/Free puppy.
2. If you utter “I would never pay that much for a dog”, then you don’t need a dog.
3. Spay and neuter ALL your pets.
4. A new puppy is a 10-20 Year Commitment!
Have a Great Doxie Dog Day,
Eric
There are so many issues when it comes to kennels and all of the various interest groups who make it a matter “their” business to stay at war with each other. It truly is a pitiful story.
My grandfather once told me as a small boy to always be careful when you point out the failings of someone else, as you always have three fingers pointed at yourself. I think the HSUS should take that advise to heart when conducting their so called sting operations, It may blow up in your face..just ask OJ Simpson.
Reading stories reported by the media that are full of half truths and broad based assumptions is realy a sad state of affairs for the unsuspecting public. It does seem the breeders have violated a few laws that fall under the USDA APHIS authority, but no where did you see any USDA official being present to answer as to why they were allowign this to take place not only in VA but all states.. I think that is the real story..Why is there so little Federal Oversight to established federal laws?
If the federal Govt was doing it’s job, does that mean the conditions would be better or acceptable for the animals? And why did this simple minded Horton fellow offer to give his dogs away?
In speaking to the shelters having received the dogs all are reported as being in good health and well fed.
Yes there are violations of the law and yes the conditions must be improved, but the HSUS does not have any legal right to take property away from American Citizens. In addition it is a violation of the Homeland security act to interfer with any breeding operation, which is unlawful trespasse, or any harassment of a animal breeder of any kind.
Hey Junior, Call the FBI and have these people arrested.
There are two ditches to every road, and some people like to drive in them instead of down the smooth middle.
The HSUS does NOT own or run any animal shelters.
The HSUS does NOT give the money they have collected in donations to the well being of animals.
The HSUS does NOT really care about the animals.
The HSUS is PeTA in a business suit with an MBA.
The HSUS collects money to pass laws to make it more difficult and expensive to own animals.
The HSUS has contributed money to defense funds for domestic terrorists who blow up labs and terrorize those who work in the medical research field.
The HSUS is under investigation by the Attorney General of Lousiana for their use of funds contributed during Katrina.
Is this really the group that should be pointing fingers and calling names?
If you want to see an organization that really works for animals and their owners go to http://www.naiaonline.org and contribute to their efforts to protect OUR rights to own animals.
What clearer endorsement could possibly be found for the heroic activities of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)?
HSUS investigators are without peer in zeroing in and extinguishing the greed-driven, grasping purveyors of stench-filled, putrid puppy mills, the very locuses of animal cruelty in a badly under-regulated domain.
And truly, HSUS rescuers were in the vanguard of rescuers who responded valiantly to the plight of abandoned Katrina pets, as seen by anyone with a television or capable of picking up a newspaper.
You can express your appreciation for the Humane Society of the United States by your generous donation at:
https://secure.hsus.org/01/makeadonation
To David:
You are so wrong. I was there and saw for myself the activities of the HSUS people, They killed those hapless dogs as fast as they could load the needle.
The HSUS is a money hungry political activitist fund raiser who are managed by some of the worst people who have ever been graced to cast a shadow on the face of this earth.
I should remind you they are not a legal enity of any kind, they have no right on anyone’s property and they for darn sure have no right to take private property away from anyone. They have no right to conduct stings and violate the privacy of individuals and they have no leagl authority to condeem, harass or in anyway interfere with the operations of any business enity in the United States.
I will continue to maintain the USDA has venue over these people (Breeders) who are selling dogs to pet stores and they and they alone are in fault for not making a strong presence known with both the breeders and the Pet Store Owners.
There are plenty of laws for the protection of animals. Without a doubt there are areas that need to be improved, but to hold out the HSUS as the answer and ruler of all animal things is .. just simply wrong..
I am absolutely DISGUSTED by local authorities that let these puppy mills flourish under their noses, and not only abuse dogs but CHEAT THE PUBLIC with sick puppies and spread disease in the community.
What is worse, these puppy millers often don’t report their income and PAY TAXES (that provide for salaries like that of Sheriff David Bradley.) That is why they keep them secret.
What is the point of hiring animal control if they let animal abuse go on under their noses?
Virginia is a haven for these puppy millers because too many local authorities seem to welcome these criminal businesses. And there are no licensing requirements, or rules, or inspections.
When will we move out of the Dark Ages? When a child dies from a disease in one of these puppy mill puppies?
We need authorities to step up to the plate and be responsible.
And the anti-HSUS information supplied here by etbmfa is from a PUPPY MILL LOBBYING GROUP!!!
The NAIA is run by a puppy mill lobbyist (Patti Strand) who is also involved with the puppy mill part of AKC.
AKC now makes most of its money from registering puppy mill puppies, and that is what pays for all the dog shows and the purebred dog activities.
The AKC and NAIA lobby to keep these puppy mill unregulated and hidden so the money can keep pouring in.
They don’t want these breeders to get licensed and inspected. They don’t want rules.
They want to keep the dog torture and the consumer ripoffs going on.
And they routinely smear groups that support the dogs and the consumers. And make up lies, like the ones that etbmfa posts here.
It’s all about the MONEY in the purebred dog world.
And they support the puppy mills!!
Dave, if HSUS did such a wonderful job in Katrina and using those million$ they collected for the welfare of the dogs, why are they being investigated by the state of Louisiana for fraud? HSUS is a fraud. They use emotions to gather funding, and misrepresent everyone who breeds dogs as being in it to make ‘money’! I breed dogs and I’ve never made any money from it since I breed for the betterment of the breed, not for profit. My dogs live better than most kids and are far from abused. Who is making the money here? Me thinks it is HSUS and they will never get a dime from me.
The educational initiatives of the Humane Society of the United States are renowned and respected, and their materials are utilized in classrooms across the country.
In any discussion board, no matter how obscure, in which HSUS is referenced, a chorus of obsessive web trolls can be relied upon to break into song.
Nevertheless, the Humane Society of the United States continues to share its immense expertise with a wide variety of officeholders, shelter managers, and animal care stakeholders, in conjunction with such other well-regarded organizations as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the North Shore Animal League (NSAL).
As more and more states enact felony statutes with stiff criminal penalties and broad search and seizure authority, the influence of HSUS will continue to be felt throughout the law enforcement community.
Visit the HSUS Online Shop at http://hsus.org/shop/ to view a fine selection of quality products just in time for Christmas.
Of course we all know that “Dave”, works for HSUS based on his pro-HSUS-statements.
Dave you folks at the HSUS need to understand this, you are not the police and you do not have any right what so ever to take anyone’s property and actions that have been taken in VA are being reported to the FBI, for investigation of violations of the Patriot Act.
Lets not get lost in the subject matter in which you guys are so skilled in changing to tug at the harts of Americans when it comes to animals, improvement of conditions are needed and the Commercial kennels fall under the jurisdiction of the USDA APHIS Division, not the HSUS.
The USDA has failed without question, but it still does not allow the HSUS to bully or intimidate or steal private property from ANYONE. Got it Pal?
The HSUS, is a political action committee to advance the killing of all companion animals in America, You guys do not want anyone to have the ability to own and love a dog. Look at your own advertisements, Don’t buy from a breeder, Don’t buy from a Pet Store, Don’t buy on the Internet.. and don’t buy from the classified ads..but Please Please give us your money for a shelter pet.
So when little Susie or Johnny gets his face ripped off by one of these unknown bred mutts it is somehow OK because they got it from you??
And without saying you don’t offer any guarantee.. So you guys are much worse than any breeder or pet store at least they stand behind their product.
Less than 20.0% of the shelter dogs unless you guys steal them are purebred dogs. Most people want a purebred dog, bred right here in America, they don’t want some mutt.
So tell me genius Where are Americans going the buy great American Purebred dog? Your Shelter.. I doubt it. They are going to buy them from professional breeders, Licensed yes and legal yes but they don’t now or in the future fall under your murdering, thieving HSUS supervision.
I really think once the “Real HSUS Agenda” becomes known by dog loving Americans, you guys will be out of business.
Former Senator Sanitorim, PA. didn’t think the dog lovers were a force to worry about, I think he’s selling used cars in Philadelphia these days..
America if you want a great purebred dog, search out your local licensed professional breeder, you will find them on the Internet, or in the newspaper but you won’t find them at the shelter.
HAY JOE YOU GETTEM!!! YES THE HSUS IS GETTING RICHER FROM HARD WORKING PEOPLE THEY HAVE NO RIGHTS ON OUR PEOPERITY AND THEY BETTER STAY OFF MINE!! HAVE YOU EVER FIGURED HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE MADE FROM THE HILLISVILLE RADE??? THOSE WERE NOT THEIR DOGS!!
I HOPE THE PEOPLE THAT WONTS A PUREBRED PUPPY HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY AT THE PET STORE AS THE BREEDERS CANT TRUST ANYONE IN THEIR HOUSE OR ON THEIR PROPERITY THEY WILL HIDE A CAMERA AND FILL YOUR PERSONAL LIFE TO MAKE THEMSELVES LOOK IMPORTANT!! AND OF COURSE PRINT WHAT EVER THEY WONT!!! AND SOME PEOPLE REALLY BELIEVE IT!!! THATS SAD!!HSUS ARE FRAUDS WITH NO RIGHTS AND WHEN ARE PEOPLE GOING TO REALIZE THAT!! THEY HAVE PUT THE SMALL FARMERS OUT AND NOW I GUESS THEY WONT THE PUPPIES TOO!! YOU GO JOE IM WITH YA!!!
JOE YOU R SO VERY RIGHT!!!SMYTH CO IS SO POOR NOW ALL THE JOBS HAS WENT TO OTHER COUNTIES AND NOW THE HSUS HAVE MOVED IN ON US BACK WOODS PEOPLE SO THEY THINK WE ARE!!THEY HAVE NO RIGHT ON YOUR PROPERITY AND THEY HAVE NO RIGHT PRINTING STORIES THAT ARE JUST LIES ABOUT BREEDERS OD PUREBRED DOS IF YOU ARE RIGHT IN THE LAWS OF YOUR COUNTY THEY CANT DO NOTHING!! BUT THEY WILL LIE TO THE REPORTERS AND HAVE THEN PRINT IT AND THE PUBLIC BELIEVES IT!!! SO SAD!!
I HOPE THOSE WHO WONT PUREBRED PUPPIES TO RAISE UP WITH FAMILY AND CHILDREN AT CHRISTMAS HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY AT PET STORES!!! AS WE HAVE NO BACK UP FOR OUR WORK AND PRIDE!!JUST WHERE WILL YOU GET THAT RIGHT 8 WEEK OLD BABY AT CHRISTMAS??? I HOPE ALL THE BREEDERS WILL SHOW JUST HOW WE DO PLEASE THEIR DEMANDS AND REMEMBER DONT FORGET THE HSUS!! DOESNT SPAY ALL THE DOGS THEY STILL!!
IF THE OWNERS OF HALF BREEDS WOULD KEEP THEM AT HOME THE SHELTERS WOULDNT BE FULL BUT THEY WONT THE PUREBRED! FROM US TO RESALE (THE HSUS) THEY GET MORE MONEY!!! THANKS AND HAVE A GREAT DAY
YOU GO JOE!! I REALLY DONT HAVE ALOT TO SAY MAN YOUVE DONE SAID IT ALL!!!!I DO KNOW HSUS TELLS LIES AND MAKES THEIR OWN STORIES UP TO MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD AND US BAD!!! HAY I HOPE THESE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT THE HSUS HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY FROM THE PET STORE FOR THEIR FAMILYS AT CHRISTMAS!!OR WOULD YOU JUST LIKE TO GIVE TO HSUS!! THE WHOLE STORY WILL COME OUT!! BUT IN THE MEAN TIME HSUS ARE GETTING RICHER BY THE DAY LIKE THEY DID FROM JR.HORTON!!
HSUS HAS ALREADY PUT THE SMALL FARMERS OUT NOW I GUESS IT GOING TO BE THEY DOGS TOO IF YOUR LISENED TO MEET THE STANDERS OF YOUR BABIES THE HSUS HAS NO RIGHT TO COME IN AND STEAL YOUR DOGS
WAKE UP PEOPLE IT MAY BE YOUR KIDS NEXT!!
Ha ha! Work at HSUS? Do you know how many resumes they get?
And who do you mean by “everybody”? The three bored people who are idly following this message thread?
Plus, of course, the thread moderator, who gleefully approves my posts.
Their building is a couple of miles from here, but they never even responded to my job applications. They have a brand new office building by Seneca State Park, in addition to their main office downtown on L Street, but I can’t get an interview in either of them.
Even the people who majored in nonprofit corporate business can’t get into HSUS. They are swamped with applicants 365 days a year.
HSUS has a great deal of literature concerning the depravity and greed of puppy millers.
The most frequently referenced HSUS resource on puppy millers is “Behind Closed Doors: The Horrors of Animal Hoarding,“ found at http://tinyurl.com/g8opr.
Now they’ve released a new video, “Undercover Look at Puppy Mills: HSUS Investigation in Virginia,“ found at http://tinyurl.com/2krfcd.
You can view for yourself the dramatic coverage of these irresponsible burdens on the Republic, who give a bad name and a bad stench to legitimate CFA and AKC breeders from coast to coast.
Wow…I’m not sure what to say to all the responses that this article got. Do I mind a reasonable, decent, and kind person being a breeder? Absolutely not…as long as they are not puppy mills. Big, big, difference. My first comment said why don’t you try the local shelters. As this article was referring to puppy mills, I believe I would much rather rescue a dog from a shelter than buy from a irresponsible breeder. I refuse to line the pockets of someone that has no feeling for dogs but has a lot more feeling for money. Hey, if you don’t like the HSUS then don’t support them. Everyone is free to make their own personal decisions on what organizations to support. Since I happen to love animals I support the animals and always will. Personally I’m glad that we are being made more aware of animal abuse so that something can be done. Does it stop more abuse? I don’t know. I think there will always be sick and mean people out there who abuse dogs. I don’t personally think, from what I heard and read, that the guy from Hillsville was mean. I think he just got overwhelmed with breeding puppies. His place looked clean and the dogs didn’t look abused, but one of my concerns with him was that it did not look like there were any mats on the floor of those cages. Now, I’m not an expert, but I do know that the cage floor will hurt a dogs pads. So everyone can make up their own minds. My mind is very firm in that I support the humane treatment of animals and I will to the day I die. This is America. You can choose for yourself.
Another story from a no so good reporter
http://www.roanoke.com:80/news/roanoke/wb/140317
or you can see the entire review at
http://puppymilltruthormyth.blogspot.com/
I GUESS THE REASON THERE ARE NO OPENINGS AT THE HSUS ARE!!! THE ONES THAT ARE THERE GET PAID GOOD TO CARRY CAMERAS AND WRITE LIES WOULD YOU WONT TO TRADE THAT JOB FOR ANOTHER THAT MAKES LESS$$$$ ??? AND OF COURSE THEY ARE PAID HAY WHO DID THE CLEANING OF THE PENS AND HELP WITH THE CHECKING OF THE DOGS AT JRS PLACE!!! NOT THE HSUS THEY GOT WORKERS IN THEY DIDNT WONT TO GET THEIR HAND DIRTY!! JUST WRITE DIRTY!!!
VANESSA, JUST BECAUSE YOU BREED YOUR DOGS DOESNT MEAN YOU MISTREAT THEM!!IM SURE IT TAKES ALOT OF CARE AND PATIENTS, TO DEAL WITH THIS AND IF YOU DONT THEN YOU ARE THE ONE THAT DOESNT HAVE THE HEALTHY BABIES BECAUSE OF YOUR NEGLECT..
I AGREE WITH THE HELP THAT GOES OUT TO THE OIL SPEALS ETC. THATS OUR WORLS TODAY THIS BIG OLE WORLD WITH THE CITIES AND THE CONCRET WALLS AND CONCRET SMILE LIKE UP NORTH!!
THE OIL SPEALS AND THE STORMS AND FIRES THAT THE ANIMALS ARE SO HELPLESS YES THANKS FOR HELPING THEM IF I COULD HELP WITH THEM I WOULD TOO!! BUT UNTIL YOU KNOW THE BREEDER OF THE PUPPIES AND SEE THE CARE THEY ARE GIVEN DONT JUDGE THEM!! YES THERE ARE SOME (BREEDERS OUT THERE) THAT NEED TO BE SHUT DOWN!! BUT THEY HAVE EVEN BEEN THERE YET?? WONDER WHY?? GUESS THEIR DOGS ARENT GOOD ENOUGGH FOR RESALE!! THATS ALL
Some of you should learn to spell and learn how to use lower case. The last comment from Melissa didn’t even make sense. I don’t know why she was screaming (that’s what upper case means) at Vanessa. I re-read her comment and nothing this Melissa lady had to say was even remotely connected to her comment and to this story. What did this story have to do with oil SPILLS (not speals)???? You should re-read the story and then maybe a 2nd time to get your facts correct! No one was talking about reputable breeders only puppy mills!
Me thinks the lady doing all the “screaming” from Atkins is probably the lady that they are investigating…..Don’t run a puppy mill and then you won’t be investigated. Some of you just can’t figure out the difference between a reputable breeder and a puppy mill operator. I know quite a few “breeders” here in PA and they have never been investigated by anyone. Don’t do anything wrong and then you’re ok! Hey, and stop screaming so much.
Sphere IT
Save This Page
Reader Reaction
digg it