ALBANY – New York lawmakers are once again seeking to prevent so-called puppy mills from operating in the state.
Legislation introduced last week would prohibit pet stores across the state from selling dogs and other animals that come from the large, often unregulated, breeding facilities.
If approved, pet stores would only be authorized to showcase animals that come from a humane society or other rescue agency, resulting in greater space at animal rescue shelters.
“By ensuring that pet stores can offer only rescues for adoption, this legislation will protect consumers, help to shut down the mills and end the puppy to-pet store pipeline,” Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan, the bills sponsor, said in a statement.
Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-Queens, who introduced similar legislation last year that failed to gain an Assembly sponsor, is the Senate sponsor.
New York has one of the largest concentrations of pet stores in the country, according to the U.S. Humane Society, which backs the legislation.
Over 10,000 puppy mills operate across the country, according to the United States Humane Society, which backs the legislation.
Because of the lack of oversight animals often live in wire cages and other unsanitary conditions before being sold to consumers at high prices, supporters of the bill said.
“These badly-regulated commercial dog breeders have only one goal: breed the highest volume of puppies possible at the lowest cost for the retailer,” Bill Ketzer, the ASPCAs senior director of state legislation in New York, said in a statement.
In 2014, the Legislature approved a law that would allow localities to better regulate pet stores using USDA data.
If approved, New York would become just the third state after California and Maryland to pass such legislation.
Puppy mills supplied the increased demand for puppies in New York — and that put some dogs at greater risk, the Humane Society says.
NEW YORK — The Humane Society of the United States called out 100 problem puppy mills and puppy brokers in its annual “Horrible Hundred” list of problem breeders in New York and elsewhere across America.
The report, released every May, details the often-filthy, unhealthy conditions dogs and their offspring are kept in at high-volume breeding operations that sell puppies to pet stores or through their own websites — which means the puppies could end up anywhere.
The demand for puppies increased significantly during the coronavirus pandemic as homebound Americans sought canine companionship, yet inspection programs were put on hold, making the past year “one of the most troubling in modern history,” the Humane Society said.
Deadly weather events put more puppies at risk, the Humane Society said in its 2021 Horrible Hundred report.
In New York, the following puppy mills were cited:
Helen Camlakides/Sportsman’s Kennels, Manorville: State inspectors found the kennel to be “non-compliant critical” at three different inspections within a 12-month period. The AKC breeder’s facility was cited twice in the fall for a Labrador retriever with skin issues and prominent hair loss and unsafe conditions. The facility had more than 300 dogs. Patch reached out via social media to talk to the owners of the puppy mill but has not heard back. If we do, we’ll update this story.
Bridget Hewson/ADK Puppy Patch, Childwold: State inspectors found violations for a sick dog who had not been taken to a veterinarian, a strong odor of urine/ammonia, dirty conditions and veterinary care issues. Patch was not able to locate the owners of the puppy mill. If we eventually contact them, we’ll update this story.
Marvin Martin Hoover/Shady Lane Kennel, Penn Yan: The state found “at least” six puppies sold without disclosure of health problems. Adult dogs did not have veterinary examinations. Patch reached out via email to the owners of the puppy mill but has not heard back. If we do, we’ll update this story.
James Leach/Leach Sheep & Goat Station, Martville: State inspectors found many dogs in a barn without water or with only dirty water bowls. Some dogs were matted or had overgrown nails. Veterinary issues were found three years in a row at the operation with more than 100 dogs. Patch was unable to locate the owners of the puppy mill. If we eventually do, we’ll update this story.
Joyce Martin/Seneca River Kennels (previously K&J Kennels), Waterloo: The kennel failed three state inspections in 2020 for issues such as a “critical” violation for a pregnant basset hound with a swollen eye that did not receive prompt treatment. There was decrepit housing, the odor of urine and underage puppy sales. Patch was unable to locate the owners of the puppy mill. If we eventually do, we’ll update this story.
Curtis Rist/Hudson Labradoodles, Hudson: The kennel had “horrible foul odor,” dogs and puppies were standing in filthy conditions, several dogs “were matted and covered in [their own] waste material. The facility has had similar violations for years (repeat offender). Patch reached out via email to talk to the owners of the puppy mill but has not heard back. If we do, we’ll update this story.
Alvin Shirk/A&L Kennels, Dundee: More than 100 dogs were found with inadequate veterinary records. The kennel sold underage puppies and had prior issues with injured dogs (repeat offender). Patch was unable to locate the owners of the puppy mill. If we eventually do, we’ll update this story.
Missouri once again led the Horrible Hundred list with nearly two dozen problem dealers, the Humane Society noted:
The Humane Society said that inclusion in the Horrible Hundred report is not an indication that any local, state or federal laws have been broken, but that the conditions described illustrate the need for tougher laws to protect the dogs.
Not all states require inspections of puppy breeding facilities. In some cases, regulators cut down on inspections, but the Humane Society said regulatory authorities ceased or curtailed inspections during the pandemic. Yet pet stores were considered essential businesses as interest in companion animals soared.
“Now more than ever, dogs need our protection, and kennel laws should be strictly enforced to make sure animals are protected in the next disaster,” the Humane Society said.
Some problem puppy mills cited in the 2020 Horrible Hundred report have closed, the Humane Society noted.
The report doesn’t include every problem puppy mill in the country, the Humane Society said, noting that “states with no dealers in this report are not necessarily doing better at preventing puppy mills.”
Many states do not have kennel inspection laws, do not share inspection records with the public or have not enforced the laws that are on the books. Some other trends:
About 40 percent of the dealers cited in the report are licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, “but it appears that many more of the breeders listed in this report are operating in a manner that would require a USDA license, yet they have not obtained one, partly due to the steep plunge in USDA enforcement since 2017,” the Humane Society said.
About 40 percent of the 100 dealers on the list are repeat offenders who have appeared on at least one of the Humane Society’s previous reports.
At least eight of the dealers in the report are linked to Petland, the largest chain of puppy-selling pet stores in the country, although the HSUS said it’s very likely that number is much higher; because Petland purchases mostly from brokers (re-sellers), many of its breeders cannot easily be linked to the stores, and the HSUS does not have access to all sourcing records.
Many of the sellers in this report were offering American Kennel Club-registerable puppies or promoting themselves as AKC breeders, which is an issue because the AKC regularly opposes laws that would help crack down on puppy mill cruelty.
The best way to help animals is to refuse to buy a puppy from an internet site, a pet store or any breeder that buyers haven’t carefully screened and met in person, the Humane Society said.
Here are some shelters in New York:
Amish Puppy Mills ExposedInside Holmes County, Ohio and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: “The Amish Puppy Mill Capitals of the United States” Many people visit Holmes and Lancaster Counties because they are lured by the appeal of the country of the past. Perhaps they are looking for a slower more peaceful pace. Lancaster County and Holmes County Tourism use the Amish and Mennonite community as a tourist attraction. They advertise scenes like these:
But drive down any country road in Lancaster or Holmes County and you will see signs like these often. Dogs are viewed as a cash crop. Ads in the news papers often state cash only. Amish and Mennonite farmers have publically stated that dogs are livestock and there is no difference between a dog and a cow.
The Amish and Mennonite community are known as “The Gentle People”. Amish Country is known for its wonderful restaurants, craft shops and well-kept Amish farms. Beautiful fields where bearded men in wide-brimmed hats lead teams of shaggy plow horses tilling the soil. Hay fields dot the rolling hills of Amish country, and the fields that sustain the simple lifestyle are mostly bare. But one crop the most important crop to some remains: Puppies. An overwhelming number of puppy mill operators are Amish. Inside the picturesque barns and wooden fences of Amish country in New York State and in all Amish communities throughout the US, “purebred” puppies are bred by the tens of thousands, many living in a hellish world of filthy, crowded cages. They are puppy mill puppies, and they bring in $4 million a year for the over 100 Amish and Mennonite farmers who supply pet stores, boutique dog-shop markets, and at least two New York dog dealers, according to the ASPCA. “Its not just some cottage industry by people who sell bread-and-butter pickles by the roadside,” says Roger Caras, ASPCAs former executive director. These “dog farmers” sell 20,000 puppies a year to wholesalers for an average $223 a pup, government records show. And its making some of these quaint farmers quite rich. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) documents show that one Amish dog farmer sold 1,293 puppies last year for an estimated $290,000 though federal inspectors have cited his farm for numerous violations since 1992 including overcrowded cages and inadequate sanitation, pest control, feeding and watering of animals. Then these sickly, genetic nightmares are delivered to the upscale pet shops. They given them a bath and blow dry them and fluff them up and pray they dont die before theyre sold, often for $1,000 or more each. The Amish dont say much about their involvement. They never do. No one at the local seed store would talk about puppy breeding last week. Or at the buggy makers. Or at the lumber yard or the pet store. Not even at the corner restaurant. Its their dirty little secret. Be warned though- the Amish life that is depicted for tourist is nothing like the reality. A simple Google search for Amish puppy mills will return thousands of hits. For farmers, a big crop of dogs can gross up to $500,000 annually, with successful operations netting six figures. For critics, the men in the suspenders and bushy beards are masking a cruel form of factory farming behind the quaint and pure of the Amish culture. According to Baker, even shipping a pup a week later, at eight weeks of age, is not a good idea. “Immune systems arent developed by then and all kinds of health issues could arise.” In areas of the U.S. where Amish dwell, there is a high number of puppy mills. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement lists 243 kennels in Lancaster County. Pennsylvania, 98% of them owned by Amish. Holmes County, Ohio, has 470 kennels — more than any other county in the nation. While the Amish landcape is among the most beautiful in the world, the puppies bred at the mills NEVER see the outside of wire cages that are usually stacked on top of each other in dark barns. One cannot throw all the Amish into the same category. Actions of some might sound rash. The puppy-mill breeders might be just a small fraction or a very small percent of the Amish population, but the majority of the population have chosen to ignore what is going on in their own backyards. The Amish have been allowed to continue their inhumane treatment of animals without pressure from the rest of the population because of the money that tourism brings to Amish businesses. Most people who visit Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and Holmes County, Ohio go there to experience the Amish Culture. Yes, the Amish in general are a hard working, modest people. But they use the modern world to advertise and post the mill puppies on the Internet. These Godly people who shun the outside world have no qualms about using an outide third party to sell their stock. The Amish continually breed poor quality puppies and keep their breeding dogs in a state that defies decency. They should be barred from dog breeding as they breed poor quality dogs. They get away with it because people think that religious people wold never do anything inhumane. The following pictures were taken with permission of the Amish owner. All these dogs have been in wire cages all their lives, live totally confined to these spaces, receive no vet care and have deformed paws.
From Elam Zook, June 23rd, 2009 “I grew up Amish and most Amish I know do not treat their animals well. It doesn’t matter whether the puppy mill is Amish or non-Amish but it does matter how the animals are treated and how the people who get them when they are mistreated struggle and suffer trying to heal an abused animal. I am sick of people’s fantasies about the happy peaceful Amish world. That is mostly a lie and you can live in denial if you want to and allow the abuse of women and children and animals in the Amish world to continue. Yes, it isn’t in every Amish family or church, I know that but it is way more common than you can imagine…” The cruelty is not limited to Pennsylvania or Ohio. There are also Indianas Amish Puppy Mills. When people think of the Amish, they tend to think of a people who live according to Gods word and religion. But watch the following video and you will see a side of the Amish that you never knew. You will see cruelty, heartlessness and greed. View a rare undercover video of an Indiana puppy mill run by an Amish “Dog Farmer” Listen closely as the miller apathetically describes his business, how the inspectors look the other way and the amount of money he takes in. Warning: Video is explicit.
ALBANY – New York lawmakers are once again seeking to prevent so-called puppy mills from operating in the state.
If approved, New York would become just the third state after California and Maryland to pass such legislation.
If approved, pet stores would only be authorized to showcase animals that come from a humane society or other rescue agency, resulting in greater space at animal rescue shelters.
Over 10,000 puppy mills operate across the country, according to the United States Humane Society, which backs the legislation.
“By ensuring that pet stores can offer only rescues for adoption, this legislation will protect consumers, help to shut down the mills and end the puppy to-pet store pipeline,” Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan, the bills sponsor, said in a statement.
FAQ
Is it OK to buy a puppy from the Amish?
Are puppy mills legal in NYS?
- Small cages with wire floors that hurt dog feet and legs.
- Cages stacked on top of one another without ample ventilation.
- Poor sanitary practices, leading to illness and parasites.
- Forced breeding of female dogs with little time for recovery between litters.