[ SHOWGSD-L ] Fwd: Illinois Puppy Mill Syndrome
- From: "Ginger Cleary" <cleary1414@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Showgsd-L@Freelists. Org" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 21:20:16 -0500
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HSUS Milks â??Puppy Mill Syndromeâ??
In Illinois â?? But Here Are The Facts
by JOHN YATES
American Sporting Dog Alliance
http://www.americansportingdogalliance.org
asda@xxxxxxxxxxx
This article is archived at:
http://eaglerock814.proboards107.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread!
SPRINGFIELD, IL â?? The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and
other radical animal rights groups use â??puppy millâ?? as a devious mantra to
push for tough laws aimed at all breeders, including the current House Bill
198, which would destroy the lifeâ??s work of some of the best dog breeders in
America who call Illinois home.
The mere mention of a â??puppy millâ?? brings vivid images to mind of
suffering dogs that are starved, left in the cold to freeze, ill and untreated,
infested with parasites and bred mercilessly until they are used up and thrown
away.
The image evokes horror for everyone who loves dogs.
HSUS paints Illinois as rife with horrible unlicensed kennels that exploit
dogs. They show photos, put out inflammatory press releases about â??puppy
millâ?? busts in Illinois, convince large numbers of good people who love
animals that something must be done, and deliver a message to politicians that
they would be heartless if they refuse to pass new laws.
Most dog owners know that HSUS is lying through its corporate teeth, but
are afraid to challenge these allegations for fear of being tarred with the
same broad brush.
Itâ??s time to challenge them and show clearly that HSUS is basing its
entire â??puppy millâ?? campaign on distortions, fabrications and outright lies.
This report is calling their bluff with the facts. Itâ??s time for HSUS to
put up or shut up about â??puppy mills.â??
Instead, they have been spreading lies and distortions in the media and to
the state Legislature, which is now considering two very poorly written and
destructive pieces of legislation aimed at destroying the work of high quality
breeders of purebred dogs.
The situation in Illinois is critical because this bill is being pushed
hard and fast in the Legislature. It was hurried through the House Rules
Committee last week, and now has been scheduled for a hearing tomorrow
(Tuesday, February 10, 2009) before the Business/Occupational License
Committee. This hurry-up scheduling is ominous. The public hearing will be held
at 10 a.m. in Room 122B of the State Capitol.
In addition to reading this report, which examines the facts, please also
read our report from yesterday, which examines the legislation and asks dog
owners to sign an online petition. Here is a link to yesterdayâ??s report:
http://eaglerock814.proboards107.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread.
Todayâ??s report will take a hard look at every Illinois â??puppy millâ??
or large-scale â??hoardingâ?? case over the past two years. We also will
publish complete data on the actual number of federally licensed commercial
kennels in Illinois, and summarize existing laws.
We will duck nothing. This report will be straight unvarnished fact.
We believe that you will see clearly that the â??puppy millâ?? issue is
highly overstated in Illinois. Itâ??s not just a matter of the small number of
actual cases. Please remember that Illinois has dozens of animal control
officers and scores of animal cruelty police officers to investigate every
report of poorly run or unlicensed kennels, and that HSUS has unleashed a small
army of volunteers to scour the countryside for kennels, answer newspaper ads
for puppies for sale and visit the kennels and homes of the breeders under
false pretenses.
What have these hundreds of officers and volunteers actually found?
Here is the answer. The cases listed below represent every â??puppy millâ??
and large-scale â??hoarderâ?? investigation in Illinois in 2008 that would fall
under the scope of HB 198:
a.. In November, 40 dogs and six cats were seized from an elderly couple
in Will County. The dogs were smaller breeds, and the woman had a kennel
license at one time but it expired. The couple, who admitted that they were
having age-related problems, voluntarily surrendered the animals. The
Sheriffâ??s Department declined to file charges. Perhaps the problem could have
been found earlier if the Illinois Department of Agriculture would check out
people who do not renew their kennel licenses.
a.. In August, 30 dogs were taken from a Cook County residence that was
condemned as unfit for human habitation. The ages of the dogs were not
reported, and it cannot be determined if this situation would fall under the
scope of HB 198. The owner of the dogs was charged with 30 misdemeanor counts
of animal cruelty, and investigating officers said that felony charges of
aggravated animal cruelty were under consideration. The dogs were protected and
criminal charges were filed based on existing animal cruelty laws.
a.. The same day in Douglas County, an alleged â??puppy millâ?? was shut
down for violating existing kennel laws, and 50 dogs were rescued from a
situation described as â??neglect.â?? Two puppies were found dead, although the
causes of their death were not reported. The owner of the dogs was not charged
with animal cruelty, as nothing was found to merit criminal charges in the eyes
of the investigating officers.
a.. The day before, on August 22, also in Douglas County, an unlicensed
kennel was shut down and 55 dogs were seized by the county animal control
department after an undercover sting operation by a local humane group. The
state Department of Agriculture also answered a complaint two days earlier, on
August 20, and ordered the owner to obtain a license and correct several
deficiencies in the facility. The sheriff and county prosecuting attorney said
there was no evidence to merit any kind of criminal charges, as the dogs were
cared for adequately.
a.. In April, 115 toy breed dogs were rescued from a Jersey County
kennel, and the owners were charged and convicted of 32 counts of animal
cruelty. The situation at the kennel was described as very bad, and the dogs
were not being cared for adequately. Before the raid by animal control
officers, the state Department of Agriculture inspected the facility and
scheduled a hearing to revoke its license. The kennel owners were ordered to
make restitution of $3,527 to rescue groups and $1,022 to a local veterinary
clinic. The two owners each spent 11 days in jail, and were released on two
years of supervised probation. They also were ordered to pay fines and court
costs.
a.. In March in Will County, 49 dogs were seized in what can be described
only as a very confusing situation. The Sheriffâ??s Department and Animal
Cruelty Task Force said the dogs were in very poor condition, as were the
facilities. The owner was facing 14 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, and
the court refused to allow the owner to get the dogs back. However, the charges
reportedly were put on hold when it was learned that a state Department of
Agriculture inspector had a much different assessment of conditions in the
kennel. The kennel owner applied for the required state license after the raid,
and was granted a license a month later after several state-mandated changes to
ventilation and plumbing were completed. The state inspector said the kennel
was in good shape â?? better than borderline â?? and the dogs he observed were
in good condition. The state also inspected the kennel in 2005, after a
complaint, and found that the owner did not have enough dogs to require a state
license and that the dogs were in fine shape. In April 2008, 14 misdemeanor
charges of animal neglect were filed against the kennel owner, and state
officials said her kennel license will be revoked if she is convicted. The case
remains before the courts, but the rescued dogs were not returned to the kennel
owner. The issue seems to be differing opinions about the state of the kennel
and the condition of the dogs by the various inspectors involved in the case.
Those six cases were the only â??puppy millâ?? situations found in Illinois
last year, and also the only situations where a kennel of any kind that was
investigated would fall under the requirements of HB 198, according to the
public record.
While several of them were bad situation, in all cases the dogs were
rescued and current laws put a quick end to all neglect or suffering.
Some of the kennel owners were not charged because the investigating
officers either believed that no offense was found, or that there was
insufficient evidence to merit criminal charges.
In one case, a conviction was obtained under existing state animal cruelty
laws, and two cases apparently remain before the courts. In those cases,
however, the dogs are safe and the legal system appears to be functioning under
the Constitution, which says that an accused person is presumed innocent unless
guilt is proven beyond the shadow of a doubt, and every accused person is
entitled to his or her day in court.
The last situation is confusing because of the difference perceptions of
investigating officers from different agencies. However, the animals are safe
and the case is before the courts. A judge and/or jury will decide guilt or
innocence, based on the testimony and evidence. The system appears to be
working despite the confusion.
Some may believe that 2008 was an abnormally slow year for Illinois
â??puppy millâ?? cases, based on the allegations of HSUS.
It wasnâ??t.
Thus far in 2009, no cases have been found.
In 2007, there were only four cases in Illinois that would fall under the
scope of HB 198.
The four 2007 cases were: An elderly woman was committed to a mental
institution after she relinquished custody of more than 200 animals of various
types that were in very bad shape; an alleged fighting dog breeder was busted,
37 dogs were seized and rescued, the suspect was jailed and 37 felony charges
were filed; 48 Siberian huskies were found in an unlicensed kennel, although
they were said to be in excellent shape, and the owner was charged with failing
to have a kennel license; and 100 animals (some were dogs) were seized in very
poor condition from an unlicensed kennel, and officers announced they planned
to arrest the suspect and seek multiple convictions and fines (the disposition
of this case was not known).
It appears that existing laws worked in the 2007 cases, although the actual
outcome of the last one is unclear.
The conclusion is clear from these actual cases. Existing Illinois laws are
doing their job. The dogs are being saved, charges are being filed when they
are appropriate, unlicensed and poorly operated kennels are being shut down,
and the court system is functioning the way it is supposed to work.
It also is crystal clear that the HSUS campaign against â??puppy millsâ??
is a sham that has nothing to do with real problems or real situations.
HSUS clearly is misleading its supporters, animal lovers and elected
officials. The sky is not falling in Illinois.
The current system of laws and enforcement agencies is able to effectively,
rapidly and compassionately handle any situation that may arise.
Other HSUS â??puppy millâ?? myths include:
a.. That huge federally regulated â??puppy millsâ?? are rampant in
Illinois. In fact, Illinois has only 44 federally licensed commercial kennels,
which is perhaps the lowest number in the Midwest
(http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/efoia/downloads/reports/A_cert_holders.txt).
a.. That USDA is lax on its enforcement of kennel regulations. In fact,
the USDA filed 20,281 citations for Animal Welfare law violations in all 50
states in 2006 (the last year for which data is available)
(http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/violations/2006violations.pdf).
a.. That federal regulations are inadequate. In fact, the regulations are
very thorough, as this brief summary shows:
(http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_welfare/content/printable_version/fs_awinspect.pdf).
a.. That Illinois animal cruelty laws are inadequate. In fact, Illinois
has very stringent animal cruelty laws on the books right now in comparison to
other states. Please read the law and form your own opinion. Here is the text
of the law and the ASPCA enforcement manual:
http://ricp.uis.edu/Communicators/ILLawManual4.pdf.
a.. And that the Illinois Animal Welfare Act, which regulates kennels, is
a toothless tiger. It is not. Illinois currently has one of the most extensive
and intensive sets of kennel regulations in America. Please ready them:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID75&ChapAct"5%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B605%2F&ChapterID$&ChapterName=PROFESSIONS+AND+OCCUPATIONS&ActName=Animal+Welfare+Act.
Please Help Defeat HB 198
We are asking all Illinois dog owners to immediately email, fax or phone
members of the House Business/Occupational Licenses Committee. We understand
that that this is very short notice, but the hearing was rushed through without
providing adequate time for the public to participate. In fact, the identities
of several of the new committee members were not even released until today, the
day before the hearing. A prompt response is urgent.
Here is a list of the members of the Business/Occupational Licenses
Committee and their contact information:
a.. Chairman - Representative Robert Rita (D-28) (217) 558-1000 / (217)
558-1091 FAX - robertbobrita@xxxxxxx
a.. Vice Chairman - Representative John A. Fritchey (D-11) (217) 782-2458
/ (217) 557-7214 FAX â?? email not available. Rep. Fritchey also is the sponsor
of the bill. Letters sent to him by constituents are being answered by HSUS.
a.. Rep. Edward J. Acevedo (D-2) (217) 782-2855 / (217) 557-5148 FAX -
Sylvia_idrovo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
a.. Rep. Daniel V. Beiser (D-11) (217) 782-5996 / (217) 558-0493 FAX -
dvbeiser@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
a.. Rep. Daniel J. Burke (D-23) (217) 782-1117 / (217) 782-0927 FAX -
burkedj2@xxxxxxxx
a.. Rep. Thomas Holbrook (D-113) (217) 782-0104 / (217) 782-1333 FAX -
holbrookta@xxxxxxxx
a.. Rep. David E. Miller (D-29) (217) 782-8087 / (217) 558-6433 FAX -
repdavidmiller@xxxxxxx
a.. Rep. George Scully Jr. (D-80) (217) 782-1719 - District office fax
(708) 672-0700 - Smangiaracina@xxxxxxxxxxxx
a.. Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-3) (217) 782-0480 / (217) 557-9609 FAX â?? Email
not available - Rep. Arroyo withdrew his name from the list of cosponsors of HB
198. Please thank him.
a.. Republican Spokesperson: Rep. Elizabeth Coulson, 217-782-4194,
217-782-1275 fax - Coulson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
a.. Rep. Franco Coladipietro, 217-782-8158, 217-557-4014 fax,
Franco@xxxxxxxx
a.. Rep. Michael Connelly, Home District phone: 630-579-4848, Home
District Fax: 630-579-4860, use email first at RepConnelly48@xxxxxxxxx
a.. Rep. Michael McAuliffe (opposed to bill), 217-782-8182, 217-782-1275
fax, mmcauliffe20@xxxxxxxxx
a.. Rep. Bill Mitchell, 217-782-8163, 217-557-0571 fax,
RepMitchell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
a.. Rep Rosemary Mulligan, 217-782-8007, 217-782-4533 fax (may not be
hooked up yet), MartinD@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
a.. Rep Angelo Saviano, 217-782-3374, 217-557-7211 fax,
Skip@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Also, please sign our online petition. Residents of Illinois should use
this petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/asda1/petition.html. Nonresidents
should use this petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/asda2/petition.html.
Thank you for helping dog owners in Illinois.
The American Sporting Dog Alliance represents owners, breeders and
professionals who work with breeds of dogs that are used for hunting. We also
welcome people who work with other breeds, as legislative issues affect all of
us. We are a grassroots movement working to protect the rights of dog owners,
and to assure that the traditional relationships between dogs and humans
maintains its rightful place in American society and life.
The American Sporting Dog Alliance also needs your help so that we can
continue to work to protect the rights of dog owners. Your membership,
participation and support are truly essential to the success of our mission. We
are funded solely by your donations in order to maintain strict independence.
Please visit us on the web at http://www.americansportingdogalliance.org .
Our email is asda@xxxxxxxxxxxx .
PLEASE CROSS-POST AND FORWARD THIS REPORT TO YOUR FRIENDS
The American Sporting Dog Alliance
http://www.americansportingdogalliance.org
Please Join Us
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Ginger Cleary,
Rome, GA http://www.rihadin.com/
My Ebay site My Cafepress store
Since when do we have to agree with people to defend them from injustice -
Lillian Hellman, Playwright (1905-1984)
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