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Health & Fitness

Human Nature Strikes Again

Using animals to pay the bills? Reconsider.

We used to be surprised to hear that some doctors are drug dealers or that some priests are pedophiles. It turns out that water seeks its own level. We gravitate towards what fills our emotional needs and what we have the mettle to actually do. Security was a government job, loving kids meant teaching. The Steve Jobs and, thankfully, Genghis Kahns of the world are rare.

As some of you know by now, my focus is puppy mills and pet stores, so I'd like to take a look at who sells puppies. It's not dull, I promise.

There is a mountain of proof that our local pet stores buy puppies from inhumane, often criminally-abusive, puppy mills. Attached is a March 4th, 2013 USDA inspection report for Missouri breeder, Donna M. Brown. She has 525 dogs and 237 puppies. One violation is for no protection from the elements in less than 35-degree weather. That's 1 violation for 762 freezing animals. Excessively matted hair (fecal matter and dirt) so bad that skin is impossible to get to on breeding poodles and shih tzus, plus bleeding gums and rotted teeth are all one more violation. That is years without grooming and vet care. This report is not the worst, it is not even unusual. It is why I blog.

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This is when we need to examine human nature. The breeder is clearly lacking compassion, possibly even a soul. Our local pet sellers, and online and newspaper sellers, are keeping her and those like her in business.  

Pet sellers know what goes on in the USDA-licensed mills they buy from. They are not being duped by suppliers or living in la-la land. So what type of person jumps in and profits at the end of the abuse chain? What type of person denies their role in this reprehensible, though legal, business, then shows up at soccer games, churches, synagogues and family events with a smile?

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How is this emotionally different than a money launderer terrified of drug lords but okay pushing some computer keys at the bank to facilitate the trade? It is not emotionally different, it's only scale and mettle.  

The pet shop owner/employee: 

probably can’t kill an animal with his/her bare hands but gladly profits from others' ability to do so. That said, they are quick to reject sick or injured puppies as they come off the truck, dooming them to death or life back in the mill.

lies to your face about the sources of the puppies being sold and without remorse, takes payment and feigns joy over your new bundle of fur. 

when faced with puppy mill demonstrators outside their store, harasses women, then hides inside when men show up. Note: we make jokes about your, um, shortcomings.   

pretends to be a responsible small business owner. Some are even faking “rescue” work, when they are merely selling discounted puppies from the same mills as their regular inbred USDA stock.  

counts first on you being unaware of puppy mill abuse, then on most people’s unwillingness to admit they’ve been had. Unfortunately, our own denial plays a big part in this.

 

It also seems pet dealers are too afraid to take real risks for real money. They won’t fight dogs or embezzle because the risks are too high, the fall from perceived grace too far, and the people too unpleasant. They are "khao, soft white rice in lukewarm water" (The Hangover 2) hiding behind lousy enforcement of weak laws, staying on the legal edge of a business sleazier than used car sales (I have family I haven’t spoken to in 15 years and can attest to the sleaze factor). What they do is legal. They are not criminals, however morally bankrupt this is. 

Too weak and lazy to earn a living through honest means; not smart or ambitious enough for the MBA or MD designation. Greedy enough to sell puppies they paid $100 for to you for $800-$1800, keeping the Donna Browns of the world in business, all the while living well and hoping not enough of us catch on. 

If they are reading this, they are probably already making excuses for their shameful lives. If I am wrong, please make a fool of me by proving me wrong, not by saying you hate puppy mills and the USDA needs to a better a job. This goes for online sellers, too.

Personally, I don't care if pet sellers ever see the light, that is their problem. We've all made deals with the devil at some point and live with it. I want their actions to be as wrong legally as the are in every other sense.

Further action:

Everyone else, at very least, do not buy a puppy unless you can meet the parents (not see pictures, MEET). Adopt or search out breed rescue groups.

If you've bought a puppy mill puppy, tell your story! It doesn't make you foolish or an easy mark. In fact, you are part of the cycle if you don't speak up. If your puppy needed vet care, please report it to NYS, even if restitution was made.

At most, call or email your state senator and tell him to co-sponsor S3753, which would let us overrule the lax state laws they hide behind. Using puppies like this to pay your mortgage, donate to charity or buy the kids pizza should not be legal. It should, like dog fighting and other animal abuse, be illegal.

Instructions for reading more USDA reports: http://www.caps-web.org/index.php/outreach/find-a-breeding-facility

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