Have you ever bought a puppy over the Internet? My family has, and while we couldn’t be happier with our little Coconut, many online puppy buyers aren’t so lucky. For some, online pet buying can turn into a heartbreaking scam where the excited puppy buyer never actually gets the pup. But, fear not, good news is hopefully just around the corner! Under a proposed rule change by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, dog breeders who skirt animal welfare laws by selling puppies over the Internet would face tighter scrutiny, according to The Associated Press.
Under the proposed rule change, dog breeders would now have to open their doors to perspective buyers and could no longer sell sight-unseen without obtaining a license and undergoing inspections by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
The change would also subject dog owners who breed more than four females and sell the puppies electronically, by mail or over the phone to the same oversight faced by wholesale dealers as part of the Animal Welfare Act.
Puppy buyers are looking for a loving pup, not a scam. The change would allow the USDA to properly enforce violations, shut down puppy mills, and prevent future abuses of dogs. Three cheers (woofs) to that!
To read the full article, click here.
This is an “easy to read” article by Sandra Nathan, our AVRAL Investigative Reporter.
Sandra Nathan, Mobile Animal Welfare and Protection Examiner
Puppy-Mill victims seized from Elberta, AL breeder ; police, rescuers respond April 27, 2012 Baldwin County, Alabama:
On April 26th, approximately 50 dogs and puppies were discoverd living in substandard conditions at the Elberta, Ala., home of puppy-mill operator, Beverly Baker. Baker may face charges of animal cruelty and neglect, according to Elberta Police Chief Stan DeVane.
Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!), Furrever Homes Animal Rescue, volunteers and veterinarians were on the scene yesterday offering emergency on-site care, assisting in transferring the numerous sick, emaciated and parasite infested puppies and breeder dogs to local veterinary clinics. At least one dog required immediate blood transfusion in order to save his life, while others were on the brink of death. Maggots were found in food bowls, fresh water was unavailable, bedding and doghouses were deemed unfit, and fleas jumped and crawled on the surfaces inside the home.
This disturbing discovery comes on the heels of a similar case in January at Purple Hearted Puppies Kennels, Summerdale, AL, where more than 100 neglected dogs and cats were rescued after weeks of abandonment and starvation. Many were found dead or dying, as well as a good number buried on property owned by Purple Hearted Puppies’ owners, Roberta Downing Dueitt and Sharon Nicole Dueitt. The women face first-degree cruelty to a cat or dog, a felony, and cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor, according to Baldwin County Corrections Center records.
The Elberta dogs and puppies are in joint custody of Baldwin County Humane Society (BARC!) and Furrever Homes Animal Rescue.
Applications for adoption or foster, as well as options for contributions —
Furrever Homes Animal Rescue can be contacted at http://www.furreverh@hotmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/sandra.nathan/posts/346029128789598#!/pages/Furrever-Homes-Animal-Rescue/220292354702301
Furrever Homes Animal Rescue President Steve Williams, along with Alabama Voters for Responsible Animal Legislation (AVRAL) members in Baldwin County, are in discussions with Baldwin County Commissioners in an attempt to urge the commission to enact animal ordiances and laws that would offer protection to victims of puppy mills and profit-driven breeders in the county.
Williams commented, “There’s no requirement for even a business license for unscrupulous breeders and kennels in our county. In addition, Baldwin County has no county animal cruelty investigator or an effective method for investigation of suspected animal neglect and cruelty cases. In most cases, it is uncovered until too late. We want county officials to address these issues, and work with us for solid solutions.”
Want to help stop cruelty to animals?
Please consider signing the below petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/967/328/039/roots-of-rescue-saving-animals-in-alabama/#13370880258751&action=udata&udata=false
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