The Fight Against Puppy Mills Continues in Ohio

The fight against puppy mills is a never ending battle. There's no shortage of people trying to pass themselves off as legitimate and responsible breeders. If there's a quick buck to be made, puppy mill owners have no qualms about passing a sick, malnourished and flea infested puppy off to an unsuspecting dog lover. Even when you know the puppy is coming from a puppy factory, human nature and our compassion goes against our better judgment and we buy the puppy in an effort to "save" him. I've been to and have seen the horrible conditions so many puppies live in every day. And I have been guilty of buying a pup just to get him away from these uncaring people. The fight against puppy mills continues, but a grassroots coalition in Ohio is trying to do something that could help.

The Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions has began a campaign to stop commercial dog breeding operations from holding auctions to sell puppies. Even though most of these facilities have been USDA inspected, this does not guarantee the dogs are healthy or that they came from an ethical and responsible breeder. Many of the puppies are from puppy mills and they have never been tested for genetic diseases which is something a responsible and legitimate dog breeder tests for. Puppies sold at the Ohio auctions are unhealthy for the most part, have not been well socialized, have worms and fleas and may not even look like the breed they are suppose to be. That's your first clue if you are buying a pure bred dog from any breeder. If a Beagle doesn't look like a Beagle, the puppy is not a pure bred dog. Cameras and cell phones are not allowed inside where the auctions are held. Is this because the people who are running these auctions are trying to hide something from the general public?

Puppy mills have been around for a long time and the fight continues with efforts to try and shut them down for good. But where there's money to be made, uncaring people are ready to take advantage of weak laws and loving intentions from dog lovers in order to line their own pockets at the expense of the dogs and the buying public. An unsuspecting dog buyer may think they got a good deal on a pup that is sold as a pure breed, but they will most likely walk away with a puppy that is undernourished, infested with fleas or other parasites, have eye or ear infections and possible social and behavior problems the new owner may not be prepared to handle. Genetic diseases can develop as the puppy grows older which may result in expensive vet bills.

The Ohio Coalition to Ban Dog Auctions currently has a little over 7,000 signatures on their petitions. Their goal is to reach 120,700 signatures that will get a measure on the 2010 ballot and let Ohio voters decide if the state should continue allowing these dog auctions to take place. If passed, it would make it illegal to hold auctions, raffle dogs or bring in dogs from other auctions outside the state to sell or trade. The coalition needs a minimum of 120,700 signatures from at least half of Ohio's 88 counties in order to get this initiative, the Ohio Dog Auction Act, on the 2010 ballot in November.

People who participate in Ohio's dog auctions include some who have already been found guilty of animal cruelty in other states. Puppy mill owners don't stop just because the law punished them once. They simply move into another county or state. Putting a ban on dog auctions is moving in the right direction, but we need stronger laws that do more than just give a slap on the hand of someone who thinks nothing of abusing these puppies. Treating any life with disrespect by depriving them of the basics of life should not be tolerated whether it's a person or an animal.

If you live in Ohio and want to know more about how you can support this measure, sign a petition or help spread the word, please go to the Coalition to Ban Dog Auctions or the Animal Law Coalition website for more information. This is a grassroots effort to bring a halt to allowing dogs to be auctioned off. Please sign one of the petitions. The dogs need your help.

Cheri Moon, The USDA Makes Inspection Reports Available Online, Best Friends Network

Alicia Graef, Ban Dog Auctions in Ohio, Care2

Kathy Lynn Gray, Critics Seek Ban on Dog Auctions, The Columbus Dispatch