Advocates hope latest puppy mill bust in North Carolina will spur legislation
Animal advocates in North Carolina are hoping last week’s seizure of 160 dogs from a large scale breeding operation in Stokes County helps propel the state legislature to finally pass a puppy mill law.
The dogs were removed from Dan River Bullies in Danbury, described by authorities as a crowded facility where dogs slept in their own waste in makeshift, mouse-infested kennels with exposed wires.
It was a “heartbreaking” scene, in the view of Kim Alboum, director of the Humane Society of North Carolina. She said she hopes it serves as a catalyst that will push North Carolina to demand more regulation of commercial dog breeders.
“My expectation is that our legislators are going to see the outcry from the general public and hopefully help us move something forward and get some regulations in place,” Alboum told the Raleigh News and Observer.
“The majority of people want to have regulations for commercial dog breeders in North Carolina,” she added. “They want to have some level of accountability.”
A bill to regulate commercial breeders passed the state Senate in 2009, but didn’t make it through the House. Alboum said she’s working with North Carolina animal control officers and legislators to come up with a new bill.
The Humane Society of the United States, which took part in the raid, estimates there are 250 to 300 commercial dog breeders operating in North Carolina. While most may be responsible and caring owners, Alboum said, not all are, and the state has been drawing unethical breeders from other states that have passed puppy mill laws.
Nationally, at least 19 states have some level of regulation in place for commercial dog breeders, the Humane Society says.
More than 500 dogs were recovered in the five puppy mill raids in North Carolina last year – in Wake, Caldwell, Franklin, Perquimans and Lincoln counties.
The dogs seized last week have ended up in shelters in Greensboro, Raleigh and Charlotte.
Marsha Williams, executive director of the Guilford County Animal Shelter, which received 129 of them, said their problems include eye issues, hematomas, heart murmurs, severe dental problems, matting and dermatitis. Some of the dogs have broken jaws and teeth.
The dogs included French and English bulldogs, Boston terriers, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas.
Charges are expected to be filed against the owners, Willis and Lucile Mabe, after veterinarians finish evaluating the dogs.
(Top Photo by Brooke Cain / Raleigh News & Observer; bottom two photos courtesy of Humane Society of the United States)
Posted by jwoestendiek February 16th, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: animal welfare, animals, boston terriers, breeders, breeding, chihuahuas, commericial, dan river bullies, danbury, dogs, english bulldogs, french bulldogs, humane society, kim alboum, large scale, legislation, legislature, north carolina, operation, pets, puppy mill law, puppy mills, shih tzus, stokes county, yorkshire terriers
Comments
Comment from Irene Simonenko
Time February 19, 2012 at 6:23 pm
I am including a link to an on line petition asking the NC legislators to abolish puppy mills in favor of licensed breeders. I would appreciate it if you could publicize this petition.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/Help-abolish-puppy-mills/
Thank you.
Comment from Rose
Time February 20, 2012 at 3:53 am
Regarding shelters that took the dogs – there are two things to keep in mind. First, historically, rescued puppy mill dogs seem to be easy to place. At least this has been the case with many puppy mill raids that I have read of. Some shelters report increased adoptions of other shelter dogs after the supply of puppy mill dogs has been adopted. The second thing to remember is that there are only two options – seize the dogs and place them in available shelters or leave them in the puppy mill to be bred until they are dead – and often suffering greatly along the way.
Comment from Carol
Time February 20, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Hopefully, the petition will bring about awareness to this need, but in truth, the petition is useless in requesting state legislative to take notice and submit a bill to the floor. NC elected officials will only listen to NC registered voters. It’s just that simple. I’m writing to possible sponsors of a breeding bill in NC and will attempt a trip to Raleigh to lobby this very issue. Now, to address the number of puppy mills in NC….HSUS states 200-300 in NC…I disagree completely…..I personally feel that the numbers are much higher than 300 for the entire state. NC has alot of work to do when it concerns animal welfare.
Comment from bob
Time February 28, 2012 at 12:47 pm
Sorry, Rose. I’ve seen it here in NC. Kill the puppy mill dogs before the public gets to hear about it. They took 27 dogs from a mill, as a start and KILLED EVERY ONE OF THEM. Outrage by the public kicked in and lasted about 1 week, at most. 27 for 27, they sure rescued them, now didn;t they!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from Geoff Ollis
Time February 28, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Is there a list of the shelters where these dogs were taken. I’m currently looking for a dog for our family and I would love to adopt one of these rescued dogs.
Comment from jwoestendiek
Time February 28, 2012 at 8:01 pm
Most went to the Guilford County Animal Shelter in Greensboro; others to shelters in Raleigh and Charlotte.
Comment from KateH
Time February 16, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Kim Alboum is an employee of the HSUS. Her position is that of state director of HSUS policy. her commnt about “most” commercial breeders being “responsible and caring” is too, too funny. The important thing to know now is exactly which shelters did the HSUS foist these dogs on – and what is their kill rate?