Puppy e-mills

The perils of online dog shopping

June 27, 2012

 

• 

Before you buy a puppy online, be sure to sniff around. Your new best friend might be right there at your local shelter. (William…)

To the list of sketchy under-the-radar activities that flourish on the Internet — gambling, pornography, investment scams, identity theft — add this: puppy sales.
Commercial puppy breeders have learned that cutting out the middleman — the pet store — doesn't just save them money. It allows them to escape the scrutiny of theU.S. Department of Agriculture. Under the federal Animal Welfare Act, the USDA is charged with regulating, licensing and inspecting wholesale breeders.

Mississauga bans pet-store sales of privately bred cats and dogs

Published on Wednesday June 27, 2012

Share on twitterShare on facebook

Tikki and owner at Mississauga City Hall

SAN GREWAL/TORONTO STAR Kate Steen plays with her French bulldog, Tikki, outside Mississauga City Hall on Wednesday. She has has spent $40,000 in medical bills on the dog, which she bought unwittingly at a mall pet store.

San Grewal
Urban Affairs Reporter

Looking at Tikki pounce around a Frisbee, you wouldn’t guess the French bulldog has cost her owner almost $50,000 in medical bills over the past five years.
She was born in a puppy mill, shipped to a shopping mall pet store in Mississauga and sold to Kate Steen, who was told Tikki was bred in Germany and in perfect health.
“I didn’t even know about puppy mills,” Steen says.
Puppy and kitten mills are rampant across North America, places where unregulated owners breed animals in deplorable conditions with no medical supervision before charging large sums for animals that are often traumatized and sick.
The Humane Society and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals considers such breeding mills one of the primary causes of the thousands of unwanted cats and dogs that are killed each year in Canada.
Steen was one of almost a dozen delegates who convinced Mississauga City Council Wednesday to introduce a bylaw that, once in effect, will ban the sale of all privately bred cats and dogs in pet stores.
The bylaw passed the first vote and will probably get final approval in council next week, when it will come into effect.
“It’s cruelty at its worst,” Councillor Pat Saito, who introduced the bylaw, said of the mills. “We aren’t going to make a big dent just in Mississauga, but it’s doing our part globally.”
Saito told the Star that pet stores often don’t realize they’re bringing in cats and dogs from unregulated mills, because false paperwork claiming a clean bill of health is given to them by sellers, who often state dogs are purebreeds when they are not.
“The Canadian Kennel Club, the largest organization in the country, does not allow its members to sell to pet stores.”
The bylaw will make Mississauga the third city in Canada to ban such sales, after Richmond, B.C. and Toronto. Stores in the city will now have to acquire any dogs and cats under adoption programs through the Humane Society or other animal rescue groups, with proper documentation.
Pet store owners at Wednesday’s meeting warned that the bylaw would force them out of business. They said all levels of government should go after the animal mills, not just store owners; that they only buy from reputable breeders; and that most mill animals are sold online, not at stores. No statistics are available to verify that, city staff said.
Steen says she’s one of thousands of owners who bought a pet thinking it was properly reared, only to learn later that Tikki was inbred in a puppy mill and suffering a raft of medical problems as a result. “They would have had to put her down if I didn’t buy her.”
Most owners wouldn’t have spent $50,000 to keep her alive. After her experience, Steen is now active in the movement against animal mills. “I was ignorant to puppy mills, now I’m out fighting them.”

Under Gunfire, Rescuers Save Dog from Backyard of Evil

• by Laura Simpson
• June 27, 2012

Written by Ashley Owen Hill of Mississippi, Author of the Lucky Dog Rescue Blog
About a month ago, I was checking Facebook when I ran across a picture of a dog in need. As always, someone had simply shared a dog’s photo on my wall. Each day, I see hundreds if not thousands of images of desperate animals. Each of those photos is urgent. Each of those photos hurts my heart. Each of those photos affects my soul. Even still, as I scrolled past this particular photo, I stopped and my heart stopped, too.
The photo itself was disturbing, infuriating and heartbreaking. The photo was accompanied with a wall comment which said: “Ashley: I think I read that you know of an animal rescue group who is willing to help terminally-ill dogs before they go to Heaven. This is Max. His medical condition has taken a turn for the worse, and he doesn’t have much time left on Earth.”
Before I’d even clicked on the photo, to get more information on this dog, I responded to her comment and said, “I have good news. I am that rescue.” As I clicked on the picture, I realized that Max was posted by a dear friend of mine, Rebecca Helwig, of Dogs Deserve Better in Nashville. Then I read Rebecca’s account of his rescue. It said:

Meet Max. He has been chained for at least 1 year. When someone in his neighborhood reached out to us for help, a volunteer and I went to the home to check on Max. The neighbors were extremely worried about the dog… for good reason. From the photos, you can obviously see the insane abuse and neglect that this dog has been forced to endure.

When we arrived, the neighbor and my volunteer walked into the backyard, to check on Max. Meanwhile, I remained in my car taking photos of Max from the street, with a zoom-lens camera (Due to trespassing laws, when obtaining photographic evidence of animal cruelty, one must remain outside of property lines in order for photos to be admissible in court.) Shortly thereafter, a vehicle screeched into the driveway. The homeowners jumped out of the car, and ran toward the backyard, yelling: “What the f*** are you doing?” The volunteer said: “We’re just checking on your dog, man.”

That’s when the homeowner pulled out a gun, pointed it at them and yelled: ” Don’t move!”

Well, as soon as they saw the gun, the neighbor and the volunteer started running. Then the homeowner starting shooting. That’s when I heard the gun shots. I looked up, as the neighbor and volunteer were running toward me. Then, I saw the gunman running toward us as well, still shooting. When the others ran inside the neighbor’s house to safety, I started the car and got the heck out of there, too. Even still, I wasn’t giving up on Max. I couldn’t just leave him there on that chain with those awful, violent people, who were willing to let him starve to death. So, long story short, I made some calls, pulled some strings, and got Max to safety.

However, even after he’d been saved, we’d soon find out that Max was deathly ill, due to the years of neglect he’d suffered. According to the vet, Max was knocking on death’s door as he was less than 2 weeks away from literally starving to death. In addition, he was suffering from massive internal and external parasite infestation, and multiple other ailments. But, the most critical, life-threatening condition Max faced: severely-advanced heartworm disease.

Max's body condition has improved dramatically.

As I finished one of the most heartbreaking posts I’ve ever read, I was in tears. Immediately, I sent Rebecca a text to let her know I would help. She put me in touch with a woman named Carola who had been temporarily fostering Max while a home was sought. Carola shared an incredibly touching story with me about how Max changed her perception of Pit Bulls and her life:
“Ashley, please understand,” Carola told me. “I come from Germany. Growing up, in my country, all Pit Bulls were banned. So, I was raised believing that all Pit Bulls were ‘bad.’ When I came to America and began to foster rescue dogs here I had one rule: ‘No Pit Bulls.’ Even still, Max had nowhere else to go. Because he’d been so badly abused, I decided to take him. But he was a Pit Bull, so, my defenses were way-up.”
“At first I was afraid of him,” she continued, “not because he ever threatened to hurt me but simply because of what I’d been told about his ‘breed.’ But then Max was so loving — and I wanted to love him, too, but honestly, I was afraid to love him.
One day, I heard Max choking on a toy. Out of instinct I reached my hand into his mouth, and pulled the toy out of his throat. And, Ashley, do you know what this Pit Bull did after I had my hand in his mouth, reaching down his throat? He licked my hand, as if to say: ‘Thank you for saving me.’ It changed my life. I was so ignorant. So misinformed. So judgmental toward these dogs. Yet Max, even after all he’s been through, is honestly the sweetest dog I’ve ever known.”

Ashley and Max

In that moment, I didn’t have words. I felt so comforted. So validated. So elated. Everything I’ve ever said about these dogs, everything I’ve ever asked someone to believe, everything I’ve ever preached about this breed was being communicated through the words of another human being who experienced it for herself. And because of that experience with Max, Carola became a believer. Then, Carola said: “I feel so good about this. I want you to take Max.” I responded: “I know how much you love him, so how about this? Max will live with me but we’ll share him.” In tears, Carola agreed.
Soon, Max’s transport was arranged. And yesterday, Max arrived. Now he’s here with me forever. At first, upon arrival, he was a little unsure, a little confused. But then at some point Max let go of his anxiety. In a moment I’ll never forget, Max walked over, kissed me on the cheek, snuggled close to my side and fell asleep. Just like that, Max and Ash were family. Just like that, Max was home.
Brought to you by The Great Animal Rescue Chase and Harmony Fund international animal rescue network.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/under-gunfire-rescuers-save-dog-from-backyard-of-evil.html#ixzz1z6IxCW7F

Attorney General Koster Files Suit Against Dog Breeder

Posted: May 10, 2012 12:01 PM by KOMU Staff

 

• • 

JEFFERSON CITY - Attorney General Chris Koster, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture, has filed a lawsuit against Lisa Oldendorf of Barnett for violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act and the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act.
Koster said Oldendorf owns Oldendorf Boxer, a commercial breeding facility operating without a license in Barnett. In the lawsuit, Koster alleges numerous violations of the law, including that Oldendorf:
• failed to provide an adequate waste disposal and drainage system in the sheltered kennel building;
• failed to identify her dogs or keep records of their identification;
• failed to maintain an effective program for the control of insects and rodents;
• allowed the ambient air temperature to fall below 45 degrees; and
• failed to keep the concrete floors in the indoor and outdoor portion of the sheltered facility impervious to moisture;
Koster is asking the court to issue injunctions and a temporary restraining order prohibiting Oldendorf from conducting any commercial breeding activity until further order of the court and from any further violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act or the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act. He also is asking the court to assess a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation of the Animal Care Facilities Act; and for Oldendorf to pay court costs.
"We have an obligation to protect the wellbeing of animals, and Missouri has recognized that obligation by passing laws outlining acceptable standards for pet breeders and commercial pet dealers," Koster said in a press release. "This office will continue to prosecute violations of those laws."
The Morgan County Circuit Court has scheduled a hearing for May 17.
"The message is clear - Missouri pet breeders take animal welfare seriously and those who don't will soon find themselves out of business," said Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler. "I am proud of the Animal Care team's efforts and the continued cooperation of the Attorney General in addressing substandard breeders."

Dog Auction Capital of the US – Missouri

By Deanna

A couple of days ago I brought you information about the Buckeye Dog Auction in Ohio and told you that these despicable events are not confined to only Ohio, let’s talk about the dog auction capital of the US, Missouri.
At a recent dog auction that took place in Jacksonville, about 50 miles north of Columbia, more than 250 dogs were put ‘on the block.’ Some sold for as little$12.50, some for as much as hundreds. And some poor dogs almost couldn’t be given away despite the auctioneer’s cries of, “Anybody want that dog for a $10 bill?”
Just imagine walking in and this is the sight that greets you;

The wire fox terrier trembled as she stood at the front of the room.
A woman steadied the dog, stood the animal on her hind legs and awkwardly showed the dog’s belly to the crowd. The dog was pregnant, due at any moment, and wore a collar that identified her as No. 145.
“This dog is going to have pups right away,” the auctioneer said. “Ain’t nothin’ but money in the bank.”

This happens again and again, auction after auction. Scared, trembling, sick dogs passing from one life of hell to another. Dogs stuck in metal cages, hour after hour after hour, often without food or water.
“The animals are literally sold like cars in used auto auctions,” said Stephanie Shain, the society’s director of outreach for companion animals. “Cars are probably treated better than these dogs.”

Spend some time at a dog auction and one thing becomes clear: The target audience is not Mom and Dad looking for a new family pet.
At these auctions, the sales pitch is about one thing: producing puppies.
“She’s in heat,” the auctioneer said of a dachshund shivering on a nearby table. “And she’s young. She’s an ’07 model. She’s ready to go to work.”
About another dog, he said: “He’s an aggressive breeder.” And another: “She’ll do nothing but make you money.”
The sellers are trying to feed America’s fascination with dogs, to tap into a culture in which there are about 75 million dogs as pets and 39 percent of U.S. households own at least one dog.
The buyers are looking for cash crops. Presale catalogs include such descriptions as “proven stud” and “due in heat anytime.”
At the auction in Jacksonville, officials sold a dog about every 58 seconds, at an average price of $155, and they replaced the sold dog with a new one almost immediately.
Meanwhile, behind the auction area and a sign that read “No video cameras or cameras,” the dogs were in cages stacked two and three high. Some dogs sat in their own feces. In one cage, a bull terrier cowered in the corner. In another, an Italian greyhound shook almost uncontrollably.
None of the dogs was being abused, said Marilyn Bodine, a breeder from Madison, who attended the auction.
“Are you going to abuse a dog you can sell for $200?” Bodine asked. “You don’t abuse stuff you can make money out of.”

Auction supporters of course deny that anything inhumane is going on using the reasoning that they are closely regulated by state and federal inspectors.
“We try our very best to make it humane for the dogs,” said Betty Dwiggins, who with her husband put on the Jacksonville auction.
Besides, Dwiggins said, the auctions serve reputable breeders from Missouri and elsewhere and are simply the byproduct of a market that Joe Public supports every time he buys a purebred dog.
“Without these auctions the dogs would all be mongrels,” she said.
Well, people like Dwiggins can say anything they want but the truth is that these auctions supply puppy mill dogs to puppy mills or other large commercial dog breeders. This has nothing to do with ‘reputable breeders.’ Reputable breeders do not breed their dogs every time a female goes into heat, over and over until their uterus protrudes from their body. Reputable breeders do not house dogs stacked in metal caged often living in their own urine and feces never knowing the kindness of a human touch or sunshine or a walk. Reputable breeders DO NOT sell their puppies to pet stores!
I could continue on with the differences between reputable breeders and puppy millers but if you want to know more, take some time to read ‘The Horrors of Puppy Mills,’ it will give you an education you wish you never had!
According to the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation the number of dog auctions in Missouri has exploded in recent years;

According to the organization’s data, there were 10 auctions in 1995. That jumped to 28 in 2000 and 67 in 2005. This year the number promises to grow, and the number of dogs changing hands is likely to exceed 18,000.
“Missouri is the dog auction capital of the world,” said John Coffman, the alliance’s legislative director.
Why? It’s simple, Coffman and others say.
Missouri has more commercial breeders licensed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture than any other state, and many of them use dog auctions.

Dogs in these auctions, regardless of claims, are not necessarily purebred, paperwork is often shoddy including medical records. Genetic problems, skin diseases and other medical conditions are rampant in puppy mills due to the conditions inherent in the mills. Close are housed close to and on top of one another in often unsanitary cages, among other things.

Jerry Eber, the head of Missouri’s kennel inspection program, said that auctions aren’t abusive and are seldom a problem. His office, within the state Agriculture Department, licenses and inspects auctions. Inspectors look to see whether the dogs are handled properly, have enough space in their cages and are not subjected to extreme weather.
Eber pointed out that most auctions are open to the public, which serves as “surveillance.”
“If something is wrong, the general public knows and tells us,” he said.

Actually this really is bull! One of the things you’ll see posted at these auctions is that cameras are not allowed. Why not if everything is so wonderful? Regardless of what these people say, these are almost ‘dirty little secrets.’
Sure, inspections reports may show few violations, mostly with the building or cages, but what about the dogs? What about their welfare? For 10,000 years dog have been bred to be companion animals and whether you agree or disagree, that is different than typical livestock, although I don’t think any animal should be abused. To me and to many people, there is a difference, a big difference!
“Any Missourian who is civilized and has a reasonable grasp of the responsibilities to provide decent care to companion animals is going to be horrified by the auctions and the puppy mill industry that spurs these auctions,” said Rep. Beth Low, a Kansas City Democrat who is interested in animal-welfare issues.
Sadly, this is not the case with those involved in these auction and even those who oversee them.

Eber and others, though, said that most complaints about dog auctions were philosophical.
“Whether you like it or not, dogs are essentially a consumer product,” Eber said.
Think of it this way: Should dogs be considered working animals, no different than breeding stock, and traded like cattle? Or should they be considered members of the family, trusted and loved companions who deserve a spot next to us on the couch?

I don’t even need to give my answer to this question, I already have. If you still aren’t sure, take a look at this video then tell me what you think, if you can.

Where did Missouri's 'puppy mill' debate go?

 

BY TODD C. FRANKEL • tfrankel@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8110stltoday.com | Posted: Friday, April 27, 2012 12:00 am| (10) comments.

 

David Carson

A rescued dog waits for his daily medication in a cage at Humane Society of Missouri on Thursday, April 26, 2012. The dog is not yet available for adoption as it is currently undergoing medical treatment. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com

Loading…

• 
• 
• 
• 

Related Stories

• Related: Moving past ‘puppy mill’ debate
• Related: Compromise dog breeding measure is rushed into law
• Related: Missouri Legislature passes measure to weaken Prop B
• Related: Humane Society president calls for compassion toward animals

Remember the puppy mill debate?
Only last year, it raged. Everyone seemed angry. Voters had approved a tough set of dog-breeding regulations, called Prop B, to take effect in 2011. But breeders cried foul. They said Prop B went too far, that it would kill the state's dog-breeding industry — no small thing, since an estimated 40 percent of all puppies sold in the U.S. came from Missouri.
So state lawmakers threatened to gut the law. This time, activists and voters got mad. They pointed to the state's reputation as the nation's "puppy mill capital."
The governor stepped in and helped negotiate a compromise. The new rules were watered down yet still gave Missouri some of the nation's toughest dog-breeding laws. Neither side seemed fond of the deal. And more fighting was promised in 2012.
But now, somehow, it feels as if it's all over, even the shouting.
"Things have quieted down from the public's standpoint," said Kathy Warnick, president of St. Louis-based Humane Society of Missouri.
"The issue hasn't been as hot this year," agreed Karen Strange, president of Missouri Federation of Pet Owners, which fought against Prop B.
Today, all sides claim some measure of victory while remaining wary of one another.
A major sign of the impact of the new rules can be seen in the number of state-licensed commercial dog breeders. It has plummeted, falling 21 percent last year and an additional 10 percent already this year, according to statistics from the state Animal Care Facilities Act program.
Just over 1,000 licensed dog breeders remain in Missouri, down from 1,802 in 2008.
"We're seeing a lot of those bad dog breeders going out of business," said Bob Baker, director of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation.
But Strange viewed the dramatic drop differently. Yes, some of it was bad breeders getting out. But some good breeders also left because they could not afford to retool their kennels to meet expanded space requirements that will be phased in over the coming years. And some breeders were forced out by the weak economy, Strange said.
Anna Bresler of Cabool, Mo., was among the 182 commercial breeders who relinquished a state license last year. She ran Itty Bitty Pets, a 10-dog kennel specializing in Pomeranians.
She knows breeders who stopped doing business because of the new rules. And she doesn't like the regulations. But, illustrating the variety of reasons behind people dropping licenses, she quit because she felt she was getting too old to keep raising dogs. She and her husband couldn't travel as much as they'd like and still run a kennel.
Not only have the rules gotten tougher, enforcement has been ramped up.
Much of this renewed focus came before the Prop B debate, when Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Jon Hagler to take over the state Department of Agriculture. Hagler, who wears a cowboy hat and holds a Ph.D. in political science, cleaned house in the state's animal inspection unit.
Since his arrival, the number of annual inspections of breeders, kennels and shelters has jumped nearly 150 percent. Violations were up 47 percent last year from 2009.
Given the divisive way events unfolded last year, Hagler said he was "pleasantly surprised" at how the changes have gone over. "There's been surprisingly very little push-back."
But it hasn't all been calm and kindness.
Tempers flared late last year over how to define a vet visit. The dog-breeding industry argued that a visual exam by a veterinarian was enough. Animal activists objected. The final law was written to require that each dog has a hands-on checkup by a vet.
And heading into this year, the Humane Society of the United States was still threatening to push a ballot initiative requiring a 75 percent threshold instead of a simple majority for lawmakers to tinker with voter referendums. The effort was branded "Your Vote Counts."
The society was still smarting from lawmakers' tampering with Prop B. It and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty had largely bankrolled the campaign to pass Prop B. And the national groups opposed the governor's compromise bill.
This led to a nasty split between the Human Society of the United States and Missouri-based groups such as the Humane Society of Missouri and the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, which supported the compromise.
But quietly, last month, the Your Vote Counts campaign was disbanded. The energy of outrage was missing.
Wayne Pacelle, the national society president, said his group agreed to drop its quest in exchange for other legislative fixes. One big issue — still working its way through the statehouse — is the so-called 'shelter tax." It is an annual fee that animal shelters and rescues have to pay to fund state inspections, just as commercial breeders do. This tax was added under the compromise bill. Pacelle said it did not make sense to make rescues or shelters pay when they are "relieving a burden caused by breeders."
Warnick, of the Humane Society of Missouri, called the $5,500 fee her group now pays each year "a hardship."
The new state law also gives the state attorney general the power to file criminal charges for canine cruelty. State animal inspectors have referred 21 cases for prosecution. The attorney general also can seek to shut down kennels. Earlier this month, a judge issued a temporary restraining order to stop an unlicensed breeder in Willow Springs, Mo., from breeding dogs.
The next front in the dog-breeding wars might be online.
Hagler said the Agriculture Department is working on how to ensure breeders who sell puppies online are registered and following the law. Federal animal welfare laws do not regulate online puppy breeders, only breeders who sell strictly in the wholesale market, such as to pet stores. But that could be changing. The Humane Society of the United States has pushed to start federal regulation of breeders who sell online.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it plans to publish proposed rules for regulating online dog breeders later this year, when the puppy mill debate just might return.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/where-did-missouri-s-puppy-mill-debate-go/article_4be18df6-955c-58fe-8360-846c5c11ca35.html#ixzz1yvXxpnjG

Fox Files : Rescue Dog Operation A Fake

Fox Files: Rescue Dog Operation

Posted on: 10:08 pm, June 21, 2012, by Chris Hayes, updated on: 09:40pm, June 21, 2012

4

Pinterest 0

Share 15

Twitter 11

Email

SILEX, MO. (KTVI) – A hidden camera investigation from a former dog breeding property, no longer licensed to breed. We’ll show you how it can re-open by calling itself a rescue operation. Some dog breeders may be finding new ways to stay in the animal business. Investigative reporter Chris Hayes found a breeder location with a troubled history, now claiming to be a dog rescue. Take a look and decide what you think in the Fox Files.
Hopefully by spring I’m going to have 8 indoor outdoor, for big dogs. State inspectors cited this place 15 months ago for “accumulation of urine, feces and hair on the floor” and lack of outside shelter where “8 beagles only had 2 igloo dog houses.”
That’s when it used to be called “Sunset Kennel,” run by breeder Ovella Lange, who supplied a chain of mall stores called “Pampered Pets”
Then last February, Lange forfeited her breeder license to the Missouri Department of Agriculture and agreed to auction off her nearly 300 dogs.
But here, we are at the same address, talking to Lang’s son Ryan Rumfelt, who says he’s a dog rescue.
November you just started rescuing dogs?
Search for Rumfelt on Facebook and you’ll see his page for the Pampered Pets stores. They’re all closed now.
By phone he told us to look up his non-profit called ‘Seeking Furever Homes.’ It’s on a web site called ‘adopt a pet.’
One of the photos even shows his mom, Lange, holding a dog. 7 of the 9 dogs available are puppies.
We asked the St. Charles 5 Acres Animal Shelter about that.
Kim brown did not make a judgment about Rumfelt, but she said Rumfelt should explain how he has so many puppies.
And only 2 of those puppies were mixes everything else was as tea cup yorkie or a miniature dachshund I’ve been doing rescue work for 8 years and I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve had pure bred litters of small toy breeds.
Rumfelt would only follow up with us by phone. He said he’s doing the right thing and that state inspectors just came out and found no problems.
He said the state inspects him just as it would a breeder. He insists he only rescues and says his prices reflect that. $150 for most dogs, with $50 refunded after a spay or neuter.
The teacup yorkie he prices at $300, with $50 refundable. The price of a dog is something else rescue groups say you should question.
Most rescues they want their dogs and cats to find homes quickly. We don’t want them staying in a shelter for months and months and $175 is a pretty normal amount to pay.
What do state inspectors have to say about a former breeder location, becoming a rescue? According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Ovella Lang is the one prohibited from having a license to house animals. But nothing says her relative can’t even if it’s on the same property.
The recent state inspection cited Rumfelt for failing to prove his adopted dogs are being spayed and neutered after he sells them.
We’ll stay on top of future inspections to see what develops.
For the Fox Files, I’m Chris Hayes.
Read previous story on Former Dog Breeding Site Registers as a “Rescue”.

Who Chains Dogs All Day While They Aren't Home ???

July 4th Is Not A Fun Holiday For So Many Dogs

Committment For Life

Go to any shelter for one day and listen to the most ridiculous excuses you'll ever hear for DUMPING their loyal family pet off and turning their back on them. It is so sad as that dog is absolutely confused, scared and can't figure out why the family they adore has abandon them. Most of the time it is because the family is crappy dog owner to no fault of their own. Dog Traineers are very reasonable and will come to your home to train your dog and you. I have an excellent trainer listed on this blog. My mom just walked the most gentle, incredible trained chocolate lab at Five Acre Animal Shelter who was just turned in yesterday by it's family. She couldn't believe how loving, smart and well mannered this beautiful CHESTER was. Please think LONG and HARD before GIVING UP AND DESERTING YOUR FAMILY PET !!!

Consider Fostering For A Local Rescue or Shelter?

Fostering is one of the most satisfying feeling. You get to love on a dog like crazy and get to know all kinds of breeds and the most satisfying part is helping them find an incredibly loving , forever home. So many of my families that have adopted one of my foster dogs I'm so close too. My family just took a long walk with me on the Katy Trail with Maggie and her owner Katie. Katie adopted Maggie from us about 8 months ago. She is absolutely beautiful and so happy in her new forever home that she shares with another wonderful dog that was adopted through a rescue as well.  

You Gotta Love Woody !!!

Stray Rescue Reaches Out To Strays in St. Louis, Missouri !!!

Stray Rescue's sole purpose is to rescue stray animals in need of medical attention, restore them to health, and place them in loving adoptive homes. Virtually all of the pets they save have been abused and neglected. They've been dumped on highways, or remote country roads. Abandoned in public parks, empty houses and dark alleys. They've even saved dogs left chained behind buildings after their owners had moved away.

Rescued animals often make the best pets. As a no-kill organization, pets from Stray Rescue seem to understand that they have a second lease on life. In return for a little affection and attention, these remarkable animals reward their new owners with a love and loyalty unmatched anywhere.

Their Mission

Stray Rescue’s mission is to lead the way towards making St. Louis a compassionate city where every companion animal knows health, comfort, and affection, and no stray is euthanized merely because he or she has been abandoned, abused, or neglected. As part of their mission, Stray Rescue is out on the streets daily taking a progressive, proactive approach to establishing a permanent resolution to the stray companion animal problem through dedicated rescue efforts, sheltering, community outreach programs, education, collaborations, and the encouragement of responsible pet guardianship.

Virtually all of the pets they save have been abused and neglected. They've been dumped on highways, or remote country roads. Abandoned in public parks, empty houses and dark alleys. They've even saved dogs left chained behind buildings after their owners had moved away.

Rescued animals often make the best pets. Pets from Stray Rescue seem to understand that they have a second lease on life.

Canine Cruelty Prevention Act

The new regulations to fully implement the Canine Cruelty Prevention Act ( CCPA) have been finalized and contain the following defination for examinations; " Examination means a complete physical evaluation from head to tail of a covered dog or cat by a licensed veterinarian to include auscuitation, palpation, and visual inspection in which the heart rate, respiratory rate, breeding soundness, and the results of palpation are assessed and recorded as indicated on the forms provided," This provision is very significant and is essential to help ensure the health and welfare of breeding dogs. Many of these dogs are repeatedly bred and live under very stressful conditions. To promote their well-being, the Alliance insisted that a requirement for an annual veterinary examination of each dog is written into the new CCPA. The dog breeders' efforts to weaken this provision have failed. The long practice of paying vetinarians to simply walk through the barns and kennel buildings, without ever actrually taking the dogs out of their cages to exam them to verify that the dogs are healthy, is coming to an end. The attending veterinarians will now be required to perform a thorough hands-on physical examination. An adequate veterinary examination is crucial to ensure the welfare of dogs in MASS breeding establishments. My concern is that the same INSENSITIVE VETS who along with the slimmy puppy millers don't care about the horrible and inhumane conditions these poor dogs are under. I've watched a vet at a puppy mill auction go from cage to cage of the most beaten down, broken dogs who were so petrified of people and full of open deep wounds that the vet put every dog was fine to sell. Then you've got these vets who work with numberous questionable breeders. I am going to post a list of VETS and who what breeder or pet store they work with soon......

Once again this Act is all fine and good but if it isn't enforced by the MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE then it is only as good as the paper it is written on.

One Nation Under Dog

HBO Special | PAWS New England A short Trailer clip about the Monday night special. It should be on 8 pm our time. HBO. Please plan to watch even if it is at a friends house or a neighbors. This film is for us and to show others how it really is. Our very own Julie Adams from southeast MO is in this film and a lot of it was filmed at her home. Encourage all to watch.

PLEASE READ THIS BELOW. IMPORTANT.

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. The World Will Be Listening... When "One Nation Under Dog" premieres at 9pm on Monday, June 18th on HBO, hundreds of thousands of people will experience a day in the life of an animal rescuer. Watch the trailer here. We hope every rescue group in America will take advantage of this opportunity to raise funds, recruit volunteers, encourage spay/ neuter, and promote adoption for your organization. We encourage groups to host your own screening parties by clicking here. A screening party can be something as simple as two friends getting together in PJ's or as lavish as a house-party with fifty guests! The most important thing that we can do is to get as many viewers for this film as possible. ****We are asking everyone who reads this email to take a moment to "Like" the One Nation Under Dog Virtual Screening Party Facebook Page and join the party online. This page will help us coordinate screening parties and give people a forum to discuss the many issues raised by the film. PAWS believes that One Nation Under Dog will save lives. Please help us spread the positive message of this movie. Many thanks, Dr. Kelly Parker Cofounder PAWS New England

Poor Lennox.......

Lennox’s family’s historic fight against Breed Specific Legislation continues

Millions of people waited on baited breath yesterday on the final ruling from the Northern Ireland's most senior judges that rejected Caroline Barnes legal bid to overturn an order for the destruction of her pet dog, Lennox. The case will now move from Belfast to a higher court in England.
The now seven-year-old Lennox was seized by City Council officials in May 2010 under the Belfast breed specific legislation (BSL) law.

View slideshow:Lennox

BSL rulings are responsible for the deaths of millions of dogs every year worldwide. Dogs that are seized under the state or countries BSL policy become a prisoner of breeding (POB), because the dog becomes a piece of evidence in a court case. The family’s rights are stripped and they have no rights to their dog. The dogs become a ward of the court that makes all decisions on the welfare of POB.

dvertise

Most of the main stream media have refused to cover this historic BSL case, but this has not stopped the millions of Lennox followers and lovers from following his family’s fight. Social media and the Save Lennox website have allowed the public to stay informed and connected with this historic BSL case.

Once a dog is seized under BSL and becomes a POB, the legal fight can bankrupt most families and many POB are then released to the court and destroyed because the families cannot afford to fight the BSL and all the housing and legal fees that can pile up quickly.
Lennox, through DNA testing was found to be a mix breed, but because his looks fall under the BSL category, the court has ruled that there are no “guarantees” Lennox will “stay safe.” This means because of his looks Lennox will always present a danger to the public.
Victoria Stilwell, celebrity dog trainer and presenter of hit TV show “It’s Me Or The Dog” has openly spoken out in support of Lennox.
Celebrity Cesar Millan of the hit television show The Dog Whisper sent out this tweet yesterday, “I know about the Lennox situation. It’s a decision I truly don’t agree with. My team is working to find a better solution to help.”
Captain Rick Yocum of the NJSPCA released this statement today “Lennox's situation is dire and as I type this the Belfast Government is planning on their next steps in murdering Lennox although I think they refer to it as "Putting Lennox to Sleep" or (PTS) Actually putting an animal or child to sleep means turning out the lights, kissing them on the head and tucking them in nice and snug. PTS in this case will mean murdering an innocent pup who just because of his looks and possible breed was put in this unbelievable situation. Work is ongoing behind the scenes to yank Lennox out of that confinement. Please do not give up hope and continue to pray.”
The family of Lennox released this statement today “We would like to thank everyone for the countless messages that we have received in the last 24 hours during what is a very difficult time for our family and for the support we have had from so many since Lennox was seized in 2010.”
“The past two years have been extremely distressing for many reasons and we appreciate that this has been a very emotive case for dog lovers worldwide who have spoken out against the failings of Breed Specific Legislation. We take some comfort in the knowledge that we are not the only ones to be devastated by the recent ruling. We are in talks with our legal team and will make another statement in due course.”
The Save Lennox petition to release the POB has an unprecedented 134,818 signatures and counting. This is more signatures that have been gathered for any single BSL case to date.
Brook the 14 year old daughter of Caroline Barns has been the hardest hit by the BSL. Lennox has been Brook’s best friend most of her life and all of Lennox’s life. They have now been separated for more than 2 years.
BSL is extremely costly to the tax payers and has left many families devastated in the path of its destruction.
The family of a dog seized under the BSL, becomes a POB along with the dog. No one wins under BSL. The dog will sit in a cell sometimes for years as a piece of evidence, and its family will be confined to court dates that can stretch into years and empty their bank accounts.
Lennox has seen the inside of a kennel for over 2 years because of BSL. His health has come into question after pictures were leaked this year of his hair loss and bloated condition.
After the Belfast High Court’s ruling yesterday, Facebook the social network site came to a crawl at times with so many postings from Lennox followers.
The rumor Belfast had euthanized Lennox after the ruling had his followers in tears and disbelief, but with the rumor of Lennox’s health in question the public now seeks proof of life (POL).
What is the next step in this historic BSL case?
The family of Lennox will appeal to the Higher Court of England in hopes his case is accepted in their court.
How you can help?
If you live in America contact the President of the United States or your congressional leader asking for their support for the release of Lennox.
Contact the Companion Animal Welfare Council asking for their support.
Sign the Save Lennox petition.
U.S. Consulate Office in Belfast.
Contact your favorite Celebrity asking for their support.
Please keep all pleas for help respectful and dignified.
More Examiner stories you may enjoy
The World mourns the Belfast council decision to uphold its ruling on Lennox
Confirmed Kisha Curtis is applying for a Pretrial Intervention Program
Please Topeka Police department don't shoot our dogs

Old Navy Has Restored My Faith In Humanity

Okay...... so I get it that apparently everyone but Old Navy got the Memo that I Am Kinda Of A Big Deal so I sat laying around for several months worrying myself to death thinking my Frisbee supply is rapidly running out and no one seems to be that concerned yet. Well, my mom is no one to push around....ASK A FEW OF THESE PUPPY MILLERS AROUND MISSOURI if you want to know what a spider monkey feels like in your face. She doesn't give up or in easily when her heart is set on something and I finally got her realizing that my life wasn't worth living without my Old Navy Frisbees. She was sick of getting the run around with Old Navy so she finally went straight to the top in a attempt at letting them know that they can't cut me off from my lifeline "Old Navy Frisbees". Folks I really don't think this is beyond unreasonable request of a dog of my stature and I don't have alot of extravagant needs but FRISBEES are on the top of my list. Well mom spoke to Old Navy today and lets just say WE ARE BIG FANS OF OLD NAVY. She did offer me as a spoke dog for an unlimited supply of my very very very favorite thing in life so well see if her negotiation skills are still at their peek. I'm lying by the door waiting for my frisbees to come.I haven't sold out yet but every dog has their price and OLD NAVY FRISBEES just might be worth it. GOD BLESS OLD NAVY !!!

Too Funny ..........

Food For Thought.................