I remember the first time I realized the issues within the canine breeding industry when my teacher told me a story about the old clinic where she used to work. She had said there was a 9-year-old chocolate lab rushed in for an emergency C-section when the staff insisted the dog be spayed, but the owner refused. The owner was planning to continue to breed this dog even though they were fully aware her death, along with the puppies, may result.
More education is needed within the canine breeding industry. Far too many dogs are put in harm’s way for the sake of money, and far too many puppies are bred purely for profit, resulting in health issues. The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement needs to focus more time and effort on providing education.
According to Kristen Donmoyer, the director of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement), more education about safe breeding practices is needed within the industry, especially among the Plain Sect community. The more knowledgeable breeders become, the higher the possibility puppies will be born into a nourishing environment, ready to be adopted by a loving family.
The Wounded Paw Project explains that puppy mills are notorious for their deplorable conditions. These facilities prioritize profit over the well-being of the animals, leading to overcrowded, unsanitary, and inhumane conditions. When puppies grow up in these conditions not only are they prone to developing many diseases, but death often follows. Many breeders don’t understand the gravity these conditions have on young puppies. Educating individuals responsible for these puppy mills increases the chance for change to occur and for lives to be saved.
TotalVet declared that according to the USDA list of licenses, over 98% of Ohio’s puppy mills are run by the Amish, 97% of Indiana’s are Amish, and 63% of Pennsylvania’s puppy mills are also run by Amish. Clearly, the Amish own a solid portion of these death traps, so the education should be focused on the Plain Sect community. All things considered, education should aim to reach every breeder, but unfortunately, that takes time.
The Plain Sect community should be the main focus as it is doing the most harm.
Lady FreeThinker states from Jan. 1, 2016, to May 7, 2021, 158 kennels were cited for unlawful activity by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and 4,108 is the minimum number of dogs and puppies impacted by the illegal kennels identified. Even just one puppy injured due to human actions is one too many. These lives could have been improved if those responsible were educated.
As stated by The Wounded Paw Project female dogs are made to birth litter after litter with little to no recovery time, taking a severe toll on the mental and physical health of these dogs. Chronic illnesses as a result include uterine infections, mastitis, and overall physical exhaustion. With proper education, breeders will understand the proper care and time needed for these mothers to recover. They will also be able to understand symptoms indicating the mother needs professional help, to improve or even save her life.
Lady FreeThinker wrote that a consumer complaint filed by a Pennsylvanian purchaser stated a puppy with a cough, congestion, diarrhea, and lethargy at the time of purchase later developed heavy breathing, constant trembling, and seizures all while testing positive for pneumonia and roundworm. This is evidence of the brutality these animals are born into. With proper education, breeders can improve their ways. Improved conditions reap healthy puppies sold so new owners don’t need to spend hundreds if thousands to fix preventable issues.
As it has been proven countless times many horrid deaths and diseases are caused by breeders. Many of these deaths and issues could have been prevented with proper conditions. It does not need to be said that education won’t solve this problem completely, but the lives it can improve or save are worth it. Every and all lives are important, and to help even one is worth the effort.
The education given to breeders can help them set up safe living conditions, and know how to treat these dogs and puppies. That is why the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement needs to focus more time on educating breeders, so these lives can be saved. The breeders need to understand the consequences and how these puppies’ and dogs’ lives are affected so they are willing to change to provide good conditions.
Lucinda DeShong writes from Derry Township. Pa.
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