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Hidden Hounds

The D.C. area is buzzing after the Washington Redskins 59-28 loss at the hands of

the Philadelphia Eagles and their quarterback, Michael Vick. This is Vicks second

season back since pleading guilty to operating a dog-fighting ring. The Virginia native

served 18 months in federal prison and apologized for his involvement. He partnered up

with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Humane Society to combat dog

fighting in urban areas.

Although sports fans seem to have forgotten Vicks criminal behavior, it is

important that the issue of animal cruelty does not fade along with his bad reputation.

The number of dogs injured, malnourished and killed on the quarterbacks property are

only a fraction of the amount of pets that are mistreated in the United States. In 2003 Dr.

Gary Patronek, vice president of the School of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University,

studied animal shelters and found that there are approximately 2.4 million homeless dogs

in our country1. Patroneks study results also showed that 25% of those pets are

purebred.

The large number of purebred dogs in shelters is largely due to operations known

as puppy mills. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

(ASPCA) defines puppy mills as, a large-scale commercial dog breeding operation

where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs.2

These establishments

often keep hundreds of dogs confined in tiny cages that are rarely cleaned, causing illness

1NAIA: Are there too many dogs and cats? . (n.d.).NAIA | National Animal Interest

Alliance. Retrieved November 22, 2010, from

http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/archives/overpop1.htm2ASPCA | Laws That Protect Dogs in Puppy Mills. (n.d.).ASPCA: The American Society

for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Retrieved November 22, 2010, from

http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/puppy-mills/laws-that-protect-dogs.html

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in many puppies. Female dogs are used purely for breeding litters until they become too

weak to reproduce. The animals that are too sick to be sold are abandoned at shelters or

killed by the owners. Last year, authorities rescued 550 dogs from Margaret and Tony

Boyd's Klassie Kennel, a farm in Texas. The animals were packed in wire cages

surrounded by feces and many had skin diseases.

For breeders, the puppies are viewed as a cash crop. Their sole concern is that the

animals appear healthy enough to sell at exuberant prices. Unfortunately, the problem is

bigger than a few illegal farms in rural locations. More than 90% of the adorable puppies

for sale at pet stores are bought from puppy mills

3

. The storeowners often neglect to do

any research into where the dogs are raised because they, too, are primarily concerned

with profit.

Despite these statistics, many states still have not passed laws regulating breeding

practices. Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky are a few of the states that have zero

legislation regarding the sale of puppies. However, prospective pet owners can help put

an end to these negligent breeders. By adopting dogs from local shelters instead of

breeders or chain stores, one can be sure they are supporting organizations that put the

animals needs first. If people stop funding these places, they will eventually diminish. If

a purebred German Shepherd is a must buy, then it is imperative to do research and find

an accredited breeder who loves the animals more than money.

3PAWS - Puppy Mills & Backyard Breeders. (n.d.).PAWS - People Helping Animals.

Retrieved November 22, 2010, from http://www.paws.org/puppy-mills.html