The truth about the USDA and Puppy Mills


We will let the following investigative video speak for itself.  It will provide you with a glimpse of the attitude of puppy mill breeders.  As the breeder in the video states, if what he had done with his 900+ dogs was illegal he'd be in jail.  But because of the benefit of minimal to no regulation, he's free to start churning out more puppies even after 700 were confiscated.  Our lack of action only supports these puppy mills. 

Horton Puppy Mill Investigative Video Report

Grayson Dog Breeder Case

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Help your communities and the animals by getting involved in this serious issue and voice your support for HB538, which will help regulate puppy mills.  Please visit http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform  to find out who your local representative is in your area.  You can even email your support for the bill HB538 directly from the website.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING HOUSE BILL 538 
1.      If the USDA inspects breeding facilities, why do we need this bill?
A.      Only 14 breeders are currently registered through the USDA.  Over 220 Virginia breeder listings can be found on the internet.
B.      There are no routine  inspections of these USDA licensed facilities.  Inspections occur at the beginning of licensure and then again only when there is a formal complaint .  
C.      The USDA itself states on its APHIS Fact Sheet, “Although Federal requirements establish acceptable standards, they are not ideal.” 
D.      The USDA has no shelter facilities to care for confiscated dogs; that burden falls onto local jurisdictions and shelters. 
E.      The USDA only requires registration by breeders who sell to pet stores or other breeders.  The majority of commercial breeders is exempt and continues to operate unregulated. 

2.      Why is it anyone else’s business if a person is breeding hundreds of animals?
A.      Those who breed for profit and for sale should not be held to a lower standard than a pet owner.  At a minimum, they should be held accountable to Virginia’s animal welfare laws.
B.      A Virginia Federation of Dog Breeders spokesperson stood before the Senate Agriculture committee on 2/18 and questioned the need for euthanasia to be performed by a veterinarian!  This was a shocking admission.  Animals, puppies and adult dogs are being routinely put to death using techniques other than humane euthanasia.
C.      Unfettered breeding leads to an oversupply of animals with consequences felt by taxpayer funded pounds and privately funded shelters.  Businesses should be regulated to mitigate the harm to others.
D.      As evidenced by recent events, unregulated breeding that is fueled by profit can quickly result in high puppy volume and reduced care; especially when it exists without fear of inspection or monitoring.