Examiner recently had time to talk with the “Pack Leader” of Columbus Top Dogs (CTD), an organization with a team of dedicated animal advocates who support community-based programs and services benefiting the animal community. They do this through sponsorship of various fundraisers held throughout the calendar year. Since May 2005, CTD has proudly contributed over $72,000 in financial and in-kind donations to 36 animal welfare organizations in Ohio counties.
Formed in 2005, CTD is a staunch supporter of animal welfare legislation in Ohio and is particularly involved with puppy mills and dog auctions. Here is an excerpt of the interview:
What does Ohio need to do to get tougher rules on puppy mills? Each Ohio citizen should contact their state and federal legislators and let them know that they’re concerned about the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills and want the puppy mill issue to be a priority for Congress. As a community, we should also be asking their assistance in expanding the reach of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to include kennels that sell large numbers of puppies directly to the public.
What do Clevelanders need to be aware of in terms of puppy mills? That puppy mills and brokers for these factory farm breeding operations reside right in their own back yard! It’s important for each Clevelander to know that a 2008 report issued by the USDA has confirmed Ohio ranks seventh among the top 10 states with the largest number of USDA Class A licensed commercial breeders.
Why do dog auctions happen? Who runs them? Who attends them? Where are they held? What can we do about them?
Most breeders who participate in this event are raising large numbers of puppies for profit in mills. Dogs sold at these auctions include not only puppies, but also those males and females used for breeding. There, old puppy mill dogs are put out to pasture or their pups are auctioned off so they can start a new breeding cycle. Many of these pups and adult dogs are hauled to the auction in tractor trailers like domestic livestock. Some breeds are able to fetch more than a few thousand dollars, while others can net hundreds of dollars for the seller.
The auction house takes in a registration fee for every dog placed on the auction block and the auction house earns a commission on every dog sold.
Breeders from across the Midwest look to the Ohio dog auctions as an opportunity to improve their “inventory” by selling puppies at eight-weeks-old to pet shops or brokers like the Hunte Corporation, a Missouri-based company which distributes dogs to dealers across the nation.
Our study and observations of dog auctions over the past four years has revealed the following:
- Dogs are sold from $1 to over $1,000. The typical female of “breeding age” is sold for $200 to $600. The higher prices are for “proven” breeders or expensive breeds with champion lineage.
- A typical dog auction sells at least 250 dogs. Some larger auctions sell over 400 animals in a single day-long event. Many of these dogs are deprived of food and water for hours on end, and many of them are cramped in cages so small that they are unable to sit upright or lie down normally.
- Many states have auctions, however in the Midwest, there is a dog auction held almost every weekend. A 2007 undercover investigation conducted by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) confirmed that MO has the most, but auctions are also occurring regularly in AR, IA, KS, NE, OH, OK and WI.
Humane advocates from across the country are helping to place dog auctions and their relationship to puppy mills in the national spotlight. Businesses and groups from all over Ohio have been showing their support by writing letters, organizing and making their views known. Here are the steps each of us can take to address this important issue for our community:
- Educate others! Visit www.BanOhioDogAuctions.com and forward this website to everyone in your address book.
- Write your legislators! Contact your Senators and Representatives and let them know dog auctions are a concerns of yours; urge them to do something about it. Let them know that thousands of concerned citizens from across the country support a ban on public dog auctions.
- Recruit your veterinarian! Ask them for their support to create tougher laws governing public dog auctions. A vet should be every dog’s second best friend – ask them to help you help dogs.
How are dog auctions perpetuating the problem of homeless pets in this state?
Absolutely!
The sad truth behind the dog auctions is that there often lies a puppy mill. The documented problems of these mass breeding facilities include overbreeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor quality of food and shelter, lack of socialization with humans, overcrowded cages, and the killing of unwanted animals.
Consumer demand for purebred puppies, more than any other factor, perpetuates the misery of puppy mills. Unfortunately, a dog's lifespan is often longer than a consumer's desire to maintain their "product." As a result, millions of purebred dogs are sent to animal shelters every year, where roughly half will be euthanized.
It is my firm belief that until the public truly understands and appreciates the cruel aspect - not to mention the consumer fraud - connected with "dealing dogs", dog auctions will continue to generate millions of dollars for puppy mill breeders and their distributors.
Is it true that most puppy mills in Ohio are found in Amish Country? Can you name any?
There are 186 USDA "Class A" licensed breeders and 32 USDA "Class B" licensed dealers in Ohio, and more than 54% of these breeding kennels are located in Berlin, Millersburg and Sugarcreek, the heart of Amish country.
What advice do you have for those wanting to rescue a homeless pet?
Adopting a homeless animal is a big responsibility and one that should not be entered into lightly. In most instances, you will be caring for that companion pet for up to 16 years. Take time to speak and visit with representatives from various rescue groups, humane societies and animal shelters. Ask lots of questions to help you prepare for this very important event!
How do you feel the “state of pet rescue” is currently?
Given that the current U.S. financial problems are creating a catastrophic number of home foreclosures in Ohio, I am feeling that the state of pet rescue is one of great concern given that the situation could leave hundreds of cats and dogs homeless in 2009. The exact numbers of pets affected aren't known, but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates one in 159 homeowners is at risk of foreclosure and over 60 percent of homes have one or more pets. That adds up to a whole lot of pain and suffering for the families and the animals they love.
What advice do you have for those who want to become more involved in pet rescue or those who want to volunteer at a rescue organization?
As with the advice given to those who wish to rescue a homeless pet, take time to speak and visit with representatives from various rescue groups, humane societies and animal shelters. Ask lots of questions to help you prepare for your volunteer opportunity!
If people have no time to volunteer and no money to give, can they do anything to help homeless pets and shelter animals, and to help the plight of puppy mill dogs?
Yes, there are many ways Ohio citizens can help make a difference:
- Educate others! Visit HSUS’s website, www.stoppuppymills.org. Forward this website to everyone in your address book.
- Write your legislators! Contact your Senators and Representatives and let them know puppy mills are a concern of yours; urge them to do something about it. Let them know that thousands of concerned citizens from across the country support legislation that will protect animals from the abuse suffered in these factory farm breeding operations.
Comments
This is fantastic information, thank you for sharing this. I had never heard of CTD before but plan to make a donation to them now. The info they have about auctions is particularly horrifying. I cant believe that happens right under our noses...
I have participated in protests against the dogs auctions and there are a couple of things that I found out that are quite surprising. One, there are openly advertised gun shows every weekend in the State of Ohio (please understand that I am not anti-gun!) and anybody can attend them. They are held open to the public on various fairgrounds throughout the State. But the dog auction is like some kind of big secret. You cannot carry a purse into it and you have to allow yourself to be searched (in case you might be one of those nosy reporters with a hidden camera). I guess these people don't know much about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, or maybe it just doesn't apply here. Another thing that I found out that was surprising is that there is usually someone on the grounds claiming to be a representative of the infamous American Kennel Club, who will verify that your purchase is registered or can be, and that all puppies produced from said dog can also be registered. Stinks!
This is a bogus article.. Nothing more than a rehash of HSUS propaganda. The most common buyer at an auction are the rescue groups, good breeders never buy dogs at auctions.
Auctions provide rescue people a clean way to get well cared for purebred dogs to resale as rescue animals at a low cost premium price. It is all about the second hand pet store market..
If you believe the dribble in this publication... you are a goof ball folks.
God Bless you for getting this out to the public and to those who won't beleive the Truth. These auction dogs are less than well cared for. Visit a puppy mill and check out how the parents of pm pups live if you don't beleive the horendous conditions. Astronomical amounts are spent by rescues trying to rehabilitate and bring health up to comfortable status on pm dogs. Good article Good Job.
Jackson needs to do more research. While it may be true that good breeders do not buy dogs at auction, puppy millers do buy them at auctions! Puppy Millers are NOT good breeders - that is the point. Rescue groups do not buy at auctions either - they pull the dogs from the shelters. But as hard as rescues try to save the dogs - many dogs die at shelters at tax payer expense.
Have you ever bought dogs at any auction Jackson or even attended one? I have been attending auctions since the Fall of 2000, mostly in MO and I have never bought/rescued a healthy dog from them. I am just not talking about the dogs having worms or being unvaccinated either but genetic problems like eye, kidney, intestinal, luxating patellas, etc. I do not consider a dog who has lived its entire life in a wire crate in a barn and/or metal building well cared for. Try walking a dog who has never been on grass nor on a leash and is scared. I had a one year old who just stood in the corner in my living room watching my other dogs.
You need to read the USDA inspection reports on USDA breeders and dealers at www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/inspection_list.shtml
and the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations at
www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/publications_and_reports.shtml
I have attended a dog auction and wanted to vomit. The dogs we got were in horrific condition -- horrible major medical problems that were never treated. Many genetic conditions -- these "breeders" should have never been used for breeding. The older dogs were sold for next to nothing, which is why we got them. How in the world the AKC inspectors and the USDA inspectors "missed" these incredibly obvious medical conditions is beyond comprehension. Of course, their mental health was even more pathetic, since clearly none of them had ever set foot outside their caged hell. Here is an good link with examples of acution dogs that were rescued: www Dot petshoppuppies dot org All of them are from USDA inspected kennels. Your tax money hard at work.
If anyone has had any luck with any of these companies, could you please post it for the ones that cannot find one to work with you. We've almost lost once and just got a second chance that want last long so I need to get something done now, so if anyone knows the right number to call, i am sure a lot of people that hasn't found them would appreciate it but check out www.obamamortgagerelief.org/
I would be much happier to support efforts that work to improve conditions than those that seek to shut down all breeders, because anything that is based on number and not standard of care is wrong! There is nothing wrong with selling a healthy pet at a pet shop. If you keep shutting everything down, none of us will have pets! Make them clean it up instead. Educate them, and if they don't comply, then that is cause for confiscating animals. We have laws that require standards of care for animals; let's enforce those. When you pass new laws, they invariably end up targetting responsible breeders as well. This is because HSUS and AR organizations want to totally eliminate animals from our lives, as pets, as food, as helpers and workers. And let's not forget that these substandard pets are siezed and sold by these groups, and they tout them as wonderful pets. How does that happen?
I'm a huge dog and cat lover and this article really opened up my eyes about dog auctions. I didn't realize they took place all over the country. I disagree with the points made by Jackson and Mary. I get so tired of hearing about people crying about how those who care about animals want to shut down all breeders and eliminate all animals from our lives. I didn't see that anywhere in this article. Laws to help protect animals in Ohio are WEAK and the ones we do have are not enforced.
I would be much happier to support efforts that work to improve conditions than those that seek to shut down all breeders, because anything that is based on number and not standard of care is wrong! There is nothing wrong with selling a healthy pet at a pet shop. If you keep shutting everything down, none of us will have pets! Make them clean it up instead. Educate them, and if they don't comply, then that is cause for confiscating animals. We have laws that require standards of care for animals; let's enforce those. When you pass new laws, they invariably end up targetting responsible breeders as well. This is because HSUS and AR organizations want to totally eliminate animals from our lives, as pets, as food, as helpers and workers. And let's not forget that these substandard pets are siezed and sold by these groups, and they tout them as wonderful pets. How does that happen?
It doesn't take but a minute to read the comments here to recognize who are the breeders and those who care, specifically rescurers. Stark difference and this is why nine millions dogs are put to sleep every year in the US.
TO JACKSON: Maybe if you had a little compassion you could see through the crap and realize that this is NOT bogus and its happening right in front of you, you are obviously one of the heartless ones who doesnt give a crap what happens to these poor animals. If you ask me, YOU Are the one who is bogus. Go spread your pathetic opinion somewhere else. This is a GREAT article and an issue that needs MORE publicity, THANK YOU FOR PUBLISHING THIS.
Clearly Mary and Jackson are part of the breeder problem. If you think the problems facing animals in this country from bad and mass breeders are bogus, come work at a shelter and see for yourself. Anyone who denies these issues is ignorant or part of the problem. Mary, purchasing a puppy form a pet store is the worst place to get a pet. Most of these animals will have chronic health issues throughout their life. Puppy mills do not care for the health or well-being of their animals. If you must buy, there are legitimate good breeders who screen potential owners and raise their animals to exacting standards. You cannot do this raising hundreds of dogs at a time. Rescuing a pet is always a good option because there currently are too many animals and not enough good homes. If you cannot respect the basic rights of any living being, you need to re-examine yourself and what you have become. It's a sad thing that we have those in this nation who still defend animal abuse. Shame on you.
This type of article can invoke strong reactions, as evidenced by some of these comments - both pro and con.
If what Rachel says is true, dog auctions sound more closely attuned to dogfighting secrecy than auctions. Why would the promoters be against anyone taking photos, unless there is something to hide? I have only seen videos of auctions but I would not want to attend one.
I believe animals should be cared for, not inbred with genetic defects and not caged for life. I also think passing more laws is not necessarily the answer. There are already laws on the books to protect animals but instead of being used to help the animals they were intended for, they too often are either not enforced or twisted to punish the innocent. And unfortunately, there are usually too few inspectors to do the job of enforcing breeding conditions.
But something needs to be done and if more laws are what it takes... Helping to educate others is an excellent way to become involved with a sol
Jackson – I bet you think Hitler did not exist either. You are very uneducated. Please educate yourself and then speak. Or wait I have an idea live my life for one day!
Mary - The laws that are in “support” of the animals SUCK and really not a lot of them exist. Creating laws to shut down mass breeding operations WILL NOT affect legitimate breeders. Anyone who claims to be a legitimate breeder should not and would not be worried about new laws to help shut down puppy mills. And really are you being serious when you think there will be no dogs for anyone if we make laws against puppy mills? Seriously? 4 million PLUS die in shelters every year. That number doesn’t count the dogs that are killed on the streets by cars, put down by their owners who just don’t want them any more, dumped in the woods to fend for themselves. Wake up sweet heart, reality check for you is needed.
Amy, you are right on point here. And thank you to all that posted positive comments about all of these issues. I am glad this article is raising awareness!
It makes me want to scream when people argue with the facts! It is one thing to be unaware of a problem but once facts are put before you, it shouldn't be that difficult for your views to change. These are lives we are talking about. Animals can't just say to the auctioneers, "hey, these conditions blow how about cleaning my cage or giving me water." We have to speak for them.
If people don't start standing up for these animals, there is really no hope for the human race. Those who can't show compassion for an animal cannot show compassion for another human. What kinds of lives do the people involved in this cruel industry lead? I wouldn't put it past any of them to hold a criminal record or even be capable of murder. Many of them have murdered innocent animals. Who's to say they can't do the same to a human?
Mary and Jackson: I agree with Amy, you are obviously uneducated, and its obvious. I would recommend you dont open your mouth if you dont know what the hell youre talking about.
Jackson: THANK GOD for people like Jaime who expose these issues, how dare you chastise this and say its "bogus?"
And by the way, HSUS does not have propaganda, youre confusing them with PETA, a radical and violent AR group. HSUS defends animals at a national level in a way that NO OTHER ORGANIZATION CAN OR EVER HAS. Get your facts straight before you open your mouth, people like you make me sick.
Thanks for shedding light on this issue. The most powerful thing an individual can do is - as mentioned above - contact your representatives.
This is a very good article with some clear recommendations about what we can all do to help. For those misinformed among us, just try to learn a little bit more before attacking anyone.
Well done Jaime.
EXCELLENT ARTICLE JAIME!!! - Thank you so much for this eye-opening information. NOTE TO JACKSON AND MARY - obviously you two are part of this problem (puppy mill breeders perhaps?). I guess your mothers never told you its ok to disagree with other's opinions... but to be so nasty is just a reflection of who you really are. I hope to GOD you don't have any pets.
This is startling information, I cant believe this happens right under our noses in Ohio. And I am so glad that you are calling out the fact that the damn puppy mills ARE IN AMISH COUNTRY. Those people are CRAZY. If I had a dime for every time an Amish person has come into our shelter relinquishing a dog with some stupid reason I would be rich. They use them as money makers and thats it. People think the amish are like, these do-gooders, but they are EVIL animal abusers.
Thanks for calling this out.
Bill
Medina, OH
Jaime, I read your blog and follow you on Twitter--and I REALLY applaud and appreciate the passion you have for animal advocacy!
My biggest take-away from this article and from the comments left is that I MUST contact the officials I have elected--not only in my state but also in Washington D.C.--to let them know how I feel. I urge everyone who had a strong opinion about puppy mills and dog breeding to do the same.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!