Visit these links to see Channel 5 Fox News' Arnold Diaz's SHAME SHAME SHAME report on Queens, NY dog breeder/dealer Robin Schulder:
PART ONE: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/shame/Queens_Dog_Breeder_Part_1
PART TWO: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/shame/090305_Queens_Dog_Breeder_Part_2
PART THREE: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/shame/090624_Queens_Dog_Breeder_Part_3
PART FOUR: http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/shame/queens-dog-breeder-part-4-20100317
What do you think? Should it be this hard to put someone out of business?
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Follow the Ridgefield, CT pet store issue here
Click here to read more about the recent controversy at a Ridgefield Connecticut pet store:
http://www.ridgefieldctblog.com/2010/03/the-state-of-connecticut-shuts-down-true-breeders-pet-store/ridgefield-ct-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-8526
http://www.ridgefieldctblog.com/2010/03/the-state-of-connecticut-shuts-down-true-breeders-pet-store/ridgefield-ct-activities/comment-page-1/#comment-8526
The Story
"I don't remember much from the place I was born. It was cramped and dark, and we were never played with by the humans. I remember Mom and her soft fur, but she was often sick, and very thin. She had hardly any milk for me and my brothers and sisters. I remember many of them dying, and I missed them so.
I do remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should have been with Mom still but she was so sick, and the Humans kept saying that they wanted money and were sick of the "mess" that me and my sister made. So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands came to pet or love us.
So many sights and sounds, and smells! We are in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! some that meow! Some that Peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage, I hear other puppies here. I see humans look at me, I like the 'little humans', the kids. they look so sweet and fun, like they would play with me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be held or shown to humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us, we always hear "Aw they are so cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with any.
My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft whine was the only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out of the cage in the morning and dumped.
Today a family came and bought me! Oh happy day! They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am! I am named Angel. I love to lick my new humans!
The family takes such good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach me right and give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running and playing with her.
Today I went to the veterinarian. it was a strange place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend the little girl held me softly and said it would be OK. So I relaxed. The Vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully sad. I heard severe hip dysplasia, and something about my heart... I heard the vet say something about back yard breeders and my parents not being tested. I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see my family so sad. But they still love me, and I still love them very much!
I am 6 months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy, it hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breath. I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and to hear the Mom and Dad talk about "it might now be the time". Several times I have gone to that veterinarians place, and the news is never good. Always talk about congenital problems. I just want to feel the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family.
Last night was the worst, pain has been my constant companion now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain. I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know why. Have I been bad? I try to be good and loving, what have I done wrong? Oh if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only whine in pain.
The veterinarians table is so cold. I am so frightened. The humans all hug and love me, they cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the vet doesn't seem so scary today. he is gentle and I sense some kind of relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They tell me there is no pain there, only peace and happiness. I tell the family, good-bye in the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons with them, but it was not meant to be. "You see," said the veterinarian, "Pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders." The pain ends now, and I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different."
(This story may be published or reprinted in the hopes that it will stop unethical breeders and those who breed only for money and not for the betterment of the breed. Taken from http://www.gingerrungoldenretrievers.com/petstore.html. Copywrite 1999 J. Ellis)
I do remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should have been with Mom still but she was so sick, and the Humans kept saying that they wanted money and were sick of the "mess" that me and my sister made. So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands came to pet or love us.
So many sights and sounds, and smells! We are in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! some that meow! Some that Peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage, I hear other puppies here. I see humans look at me, I like the 'little humans', the kids. they look so sweet and fun, like they would play with me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be held or shown to humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us, we always hear "Aw they are so cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with any.
My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft whine was the only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out of the cage in the morning and dumped.
Today a family came and bought me! Oh happy day! They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am! I am named Angel. I love to lick my new humans!
The family takes such good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach me right and give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running and playing with her.
Today I went to the veterinarian. it was a strange place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend the little girl held me softly and said it would be OK. So I relaxed. The Vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully sad. I heard severe hip dysplasia, and something about my heart... I heard the vet say something about back yard breeders and my parents not being tested. I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see my family so sad. But they still love me, and I still love them very much!
I am 6 months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy, it hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breath. I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and to hear the Mom and Dad talk about "it might now be the time". Several times I have gone to that veterinarians place, and the news is never good. Always talk about congenital problems. I just want to feel the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family.
Last night was the worst, pain has been my constant companion now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain. I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know why. Have I been bad? I try to be good and loving, what have I done wrong? Oh if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only whine in pain.
The veterinarians table is so cold. I am so frightened. The humans all hug and love me, they cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the vet doesn't seem so scary today. he is gentle and I sense some kind of relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand. My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They tell me there is no pain there, only peace and happiness. I tell the family, good-bye in the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons with them, but it was not meant to be. "You see," said the veterinarian, "Pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders." The pain ends now, and I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different."
(This story may be published or reprinted in the hopes that it will stop unethical breeders and those who breed only for money and not for the betterment of the breed. Taken from http://www.gingerrungoldenretrievers.com/petstore.html. Copywrite 1999 J. Ellis)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, June 10
ANOTHER PET STORE PUPPY DIES
by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Another puppy from True Breeders store in Branchville has been put down, and the buyer reports that she has gotten a refund of the purchase price and is awaiting reimbursement for her veterinary bills.
"I have never purchased a dog from a pet store before," said Kim Wakuluk of New Milford. "Besides feeling like a fool, I am sad for my child, who is heartbroken."
True Breeders employee Cheryl Mollica said the puppy, a Yorkshire terrier, had a "liver shunt" - a congenital defect known to occur in Yorkies, she said.
"I'm giving her a check for the full amount, the price of the puppy, her papers, her microchip, the vaccine costs. She's getting every penny back with an apology, of course," Ms. Mollica said last week. "As soon as it happened, I personally called her and told her we were very sorry to hear what happened. Unfortunately, none of us could foresee this. Unfortunately, it happened."
In March, a Wilton couple reported having to put down a Teacup Yorkshire terrier puppy purchased at True Breeders after unsuccessful treatment for the canine parvovirus. The store was also put under a 14-day state quarantine as a result of the infection with parvo, which is highly contagious among dogs.
The store has also been the subject of protests and a barrage of criticism by local dog breeders and animal advocates who disparage it as an outlet for "puppy mills."
Also known as "portosystemic shunt," the liver problem Ms. Wakuluk's puppy had involves a blood vessel that doesn't close off as it should after birth, allowing blood to bypass the liver. Since the blood doesn't get filtered by the liver, toxins build up. The dog becomes sick and, eventually, will die. The condition is sometimes treated with surgery.
Ms. Wakuluk confirmed this Tuesday that she'd received the $1,474 that she'd paid for the puppy, its crate and other puppy paraphernalia. She was still waiting for reimbursement on the $384 in veterinary bills she ran up on the dog.
"I cashed the check that Thursday for the full amount of the puppy and everything else," she said. "I'm still waiting for the vet bill check."
Ms. Wakuluk said True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo told her she would give her the money for the vet bills, after the store received reimbursement from the puppy supplier, Kansas-based Lambriar, Inc.
Ms. DiCarlo asked Ms. Mollica to return calls from The Press on the situation.
"I'm sure Christine is paying for the vet bills," Ms. Mollica said. "Christine, she does the right thing."
Although she has gotten most of her money back and said Ms. Mollica treated her well, Ms. Wakuluk was not happy with Christine.
In a long e-mail and a couple of phone calls, Ms. Wakuluk detailed her experience with the puppy and her efforts to get her money back.
Ms. Wakuluk said she and her nine-year-old son went to three or four pet stores in the area, looking for a female Yorkshire terrier puppy and picked one out at True Breeders in Branchville on May 12.
"I brought the puppy to my vet the next morning at 9:15. She had kennel cough and parasites and while I was a bit dismayed, I understand that these are fairly common occurrences for dogs confined in close quarters," Ms. Wakuluk wrote. "I came home with antibiotics and parasite medicine and began life with new puppy.
"The puppy seemed a bit off kilter from the beginning. She was not the most energetic puppy, but I chalked it up to the medication and her illnesses. On May 19, the dog stopped eating. On Thursday, May 20, I came home to find the dog half-comatose, cold and unresponsive. I immediately brought her to my vet. She was in hypoglycemic shock..."
After treatment under the direction of Ms. Wakuluk's vet - including a feeding tube - the puppy was taken to Ms. DiCarlo's vet, at the store owner's direction, she said.
He diagnosed the liver problem, and telephoned Ms. Wakuluk to explain it and say that Ms. DiCarlo "had declined further testing and was requesting that the dog be put to sleep," Ms. Wakuluk said. "Our puppy was euthanized that morning."
Ms. Wakuluk then described her back and forth with Ms. DiCarlo trying to get a refund of the dog's purchase price and reimbursement for what she spent on vet bills - all of which she said she was clearly due under Connecticut's "puppy lemon law."
"I find it abhorrent that she would make me jump through hoops to get this situation rectified," she wrote.
"She is the one who declined further testing on the puppy, she is the one who requested and authorized euthanasia of the puppy, through her vet. I, however, am the one who had to explain this situation to my child and deal with the aftermath."
Ms. DiCarlo did not return calls from The Press, but asked Ms. Mollica to speak to a reporter on the situation.
Ms. Wakuluk said she heard some criticism of pet stores as outlets for puppy mills, but wasn't that worried when she took her son dog shopping.
"My sister purchased a dog from a pet store and it's perfectly happy - the healthiest, the happiest dog in the world," she said.
She recalled her son's reaction when they'd first brought the puppy home. "He was saying to me, 'Thank you for the dog, Mommy. Thank you for the dog, Mommy,'" she said.
They may try getting another puppy somewhere, sometime, she said.
"He'll miss the dog," Ms. Wakuluk said. "We had to come home and put all the dog toys away, and put the dog crate away, and the dog bowl."
(From the Ridgefield Press, pg 1A and 11A, June 10, 2010)
by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Another puppy from True Breeders store in Branchville has been put down, and the buyer reports that she has gotten a refund of the purchase price and is awaiting reimbursement for her veterinary bills.
"I have never purchased a dog from a pet store before," said Kim Wakuluk of New Milford. "Besides feeling like a fool, I am sad for my child, who is heartbroken."
True Breeders employee Cheryl Mollica said the puppy, a Yorkshire terrier, had a "liver shunt" - a congenital defect known to occur in Yorkies, she said.
"I'm giving her a check for the full amount, the price of the puppy, her papers, her microchip, the vaccine costs. She's getting every penny back with an apology, of course," Ms. Mollica said last week. "As soon as it happened, I personally called her and told her we were very sorry to hear what happened. Unfortunately, none of us could foresee this. Unfortunately, it happened."
In March, a Wilton couple reported having to put down a Teacup Yorkshire terrier puppy purchased at True Breeders after unsuccessful treatment for the canine parvovirus. The store was also put under a 14-day state quarantine as a result of the infection with parvo, which is highly contagious among dogs.
The store has also been the subject of protests and a barrage of criticism by local dog breeders and animal advocates who disparage it as an outlet for "puppy mills."
Also known as "portosystemic shunt," the liver problem Ms. Wakuluk's puppy had involves a blood vessel that doesn't close off as it should after birth, allowing blood to bypass the liver. Since the blood doesn't get filtered by the liver, toxins build up. The dog becomes sick and, eventually, will die. The condition is sometimes treated with surgery.
Ms. Wakuluk confirmed this Tuesday that she'd received the $1,474 that she'd paid for the puppy, its crate and other puppy paraphernalia. She was still waiting for reimbursement on the $384 in veterinary bills she ran up on the dog.
"I cashed the check that Thursday for the full amount of the puppy and everything else," she said. "I'm still waiting for the vet bill check."
Ms. Wakuluk said True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo told her she would give her the money for the vet bills, after the store received reimbursement from the puppy supplier, Kansas-based Lambriar, Inc.
Ms. DiCarlo asked Ms. Mollica to return calls from The Press on the situation.
"I'm sure Christine is paying for the vet bills," Ms. Mollica said. "Christine, she does the right thing."
Although she has gotten most of her money back and said Ms. Mollica treated her well, Ms. Wakuluk was not happy with Christine.
In a long e-mail and a couple of phone calls, Ms. Wakuluk detailed her experience with the puppy and her efforts to get her money back.
Ms. Wakuluk said she and her nine-year-old son went to three or four pet stores in the area, looking for a female Yorkshire terrier puppy and picked one out at True Breeders in Branchville on May 12.
"I brought the puppy to my vet the next morning at 9:15. She had kennel cough and parasites and while I was a bit dismayed, I understand that these are fairly common occurrences for dogs confined in close quarters," Ms. Wakuluk wrote. "I came home with antibiotics and parasite medicine and began life with new puppy.
"The puppy seemed a bit off kilter from the beginning. She was not the most energetic puppy, but I chalked it up to the medication and her illnesses. On May 19, the dog stopped eating. On Thursday, May 20, I came home to find the dog half-comatose, cold and unresponsive. I immediately brought her to my vet. She was in hypoglycemic shock..."
After treatment under the direction of Ms. Wakuluk's vet - including a feeding tube - the puppy was taken to Ms. DiCarlo's vet, at the store owner's direction, she said.
He diagnosed the liver problem, and telephoned Ms. Wakuluk to explain it and say that Ms. DiCarlo "had declined further testing and was requesting that the dog be put to sleep," Ms. Wakuluk said. "Our puppy was euthanized that morning."
Ms. Wakuluk then described her back and forth with Ms. DiCarlo trying to get a refund of the dog's purchase price and reimbursement for what she spent on vet bills - all of which she said she was clearly due under Connecticut's "puppy lemon law."
"I find it abhorrent that she would make me jump through hoops to get this situation rectified," she wrote.
"She is the one who declined further testing on the puppy, she is the one who requested and authorized euthanasia of the puppy, through her vet. I, however, am the one who had to explain this situation to my child and deal with the aftermath."
Ms. DiCarlo did not return calls from The Press, but asked Ms. Mollica to speak to a reporter on the situation.
Ms. Wakuluk said she heard some criticism of pet stores as outlets for puppy mills, but wasn't that worried when she took her son dog shopping.
"My sister purchased a dog from a pet store and it's perfectly happy - the healthiest, the happiest dog in the world," she said.
She recalled her son's reaction when they'd first brought the puppy home. "He was saying to me, 'Thank you for the dog, Mommy. Thank you for the dog, Mommy,'" she said.
They may try getting another puppy somewhere, sometime, she said.
"He'll miss the dog," Ms. Wakuluk said. "We had to come home and put all the dog toys away, and put the dog crate away, and the dog bowl."
(From the Ridgefield Press, pg 1A and 11A, June 10, 2010)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Support Against Puppy Mills
Visit our support page at http://againstpuppymills.chipin.com/support-against-puppy-mills.
Please consider making a small donation to help cover the costs of website maintenance, office supplies and printing. Your support helps spread the truth about puppy mills and ends the cruel cycle of commercial dog breeding!
Please contact us for information about making a donation via check or mail.
Thank you!
Please consider making a small donation to help cover the costs of website maintenance, office supplies and printing. Your support helps spread the truth about puppy mills and ends the cruel cycle of commercial dog breeding!
Please contact us for information about making a donation via check or mail.
Thank you!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
What is a Dog Auction?
You've heard all about puppy mills in the news and online - but what is a dog AUCTION?
Visit our friends at Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions to learn more about what happens to the puppies that DON'T make it to the pet store...
http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/
Visit our friends at Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions to learn more about what happens to the puppies that DON'T make it to the pet store...
http://www.banohiodogauctions.com/
Friday, March 19, 2010
HALL OF SHAME - Issac Martin and the Puppy Patch, Watertown, CT
WHO:
Pam and Joe Colaninno, Owners of The Puppy Patch
1044 Main Street, Watertown, CT 06795
Isaac Martin
Ohio Dog Breeder - USDA #31A0015
Sells dogs to The Puppy Patch
WHY:
The Puppy Patch has purchased dogs from Isaac Martin of Shiloh, OH, and sold them to unsuspecting customers in their Watertown, CT. store. Isaac Martin has received NUMEROUS citations and has CONSISTENTLY failed United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspections. You can read the entire inspection report for yourself here
But the summary of it is, the USDA/APHIS has found Mr. Martin in violation of basic health requirements (such as "THE ACCUMULATION OF WASTE IS CAUSED BY INFREQUENT CLEANING. THIS COMBINED WITH THE ENCLOSURE AROUND THE WASHDOWN AREA HAS INCREASED AMMONIA LEVELS. THIS WILL AFFECT THEIR (THE DOGS) HEALTH, COMFORT AND WELL-BEING"
Read more here,
and tell The Puppy Patch and Mr. Issac Martin - "SHAME ON YOU!!"
Pam and Joe Colaninno, Owners of The Puppy Patch
1044 Main Street, Watertown, CT 06795
Isaac Martin
Ohio Dog Breeder - USDA #31A0015
Sells dogs to The Puppy Patch
WHY:
The Puppy Patch has purchased dogs from Isaac Martin of Shiloh, OH, and sold them to unsuspecting customers in their Watertown, CT. store. Isaac Martin has received NUMEROUS citations and has CONSISTENTLY failed United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspections. You can read the entire inspection report for yourself here
But the summary of it is, the USDA/APHIS has found Mr. Martin in violation of basic health requirements (such as "THE ACCUMULATION OF WASTE IS CAUSED BY INFREQUENT CLEANING. THIS COMBINED WITH THE ENCLOSURE AROUND THE WASHDOWN AREA HAS INCREASED AMMONIA LEVELS. THIS WILL AFFECT THEIR (THE DOGS) HEALTH, COMFORT AND WELL-BEING"
Read more here,
and tell The Puppy Patch and Mr. Issac Martin - "SHAME ON YOU!!"
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, March 15
Getting a dog shouldn't be easy
Letter to the Editor
I would like to say how sorry I am to the Muniz family who endured the heart-wrenching loss of their pet. They were sold a sick animal and lost more than $2,000 trying to save it. This is sad but an all too common by-product of the puppy mill trade.
The Muniz family probably thought that when Ms. DiCarlo said her dogs were from local breeders, she did not mean Missouri. That when Ms. DiCarlo said she was not working with puppy mills, her dogs were not arriving in a windowless trailer truck from the Hunte Corporation. The same Hunte Corporation that ships more than 2,000 puppies a week and is being sued by the Humane Society of the United States for misrepresenting to consumers that their puppies are healthy and come from high quality breeders, when, in fact, many of them come from factory farms.
The truth is that getting a dog should never be as easy as picking up a quart of milk. If you are not going to a shelter to adopt a dog, you need to go to the breeder directly. This is the only way to be sure it is a reputable breeder. Its legitimacy is not via the AKC or other acronym approval, it is your ability to see where the dog is kept and, most importantly, to meet its mother.
What happened to the Muniz family is emotionally and financially horrible; it would be worse, however, if this happened and no lessons were learned from it.
Jenny Bocchino
Great Hill Road, March 15
Letter to the Editor
I would like to say how sorry I am to the Muniz family who endured the heart-wrenching loss of their pet. They were sold a sick animal and lost more than $2,000 trying to save it. This is sad but an all too common by-product of the puppy mill trade.
The Muniz family probably thought that when Ms. DiCarlo said her dogs were from local breeders, she did not mean Missouri. That when Ms. DiCarlo said she was not working with puppy mills, her dogs were not arriving in a windowless trailer truck from the Hunte Corporation. The same Hunte Corporation that ships more than 2,000 puppies a week and is being sued by the Humane Society of the United States for misrepresenting to consumers that their puppies are healthy and come from high quality breeders, when, in fact, many of them come from factory farms.
The truth is that getting a dog should never be as easy as picking up a quart of milk. If you are not going to a shelter to adopt a dog, you need to go to the breeder directly. This is the only way to be sure it is a reputable breeder. Its legitimacy is not via the AKC or other acronym approval, it is your ability to see where the dog is kept and, most importantly, to meet its mother.
What happened to the Muniz family is emotionally and financially horrible; it would be worse, however, if this happened and no lessons were learned from it.
Jenny Bocchino
Great Hill Road, March 15
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, March 11
Puppy mills and the truth
Letters to the Editor
Christine DiCarlo seems not to know truth from a dead dog. If you buy Hormel meat from Stop & Shop, you have bought Hormel meat. If you buy puppies from a puppy mill broker, you have bought puppy mill dogs. Christine DiCarlo may be stupid, but we are not.
Christine DiCarlo flat out lied in saying "Nothing is coming from puppy mills." She flat out lied in telling me she would only get her pups from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut.
She flat out lied when she told me should would personally pick up her dogs and knew the breeders. I have witnesses to each of these falsehoods.
To reiterate a virtual fact, all puppy stores get their stock from puppy mills. If they say they do not, they are ignorant or lying.
Ms. DiCarlo ought to be selling paper goods and pencils, leaving the sale of these marvelous and sentient creatures to those for whom dogs come before dollars.
John Katz
Ridgebury Road, March 11
Letters to the Editor
Christine DiCarlo seems not to know truth from a dead dog. If you buy Hormel meat from Stop & Shop, you have bought Hormel meat. If you buy puppies from a puppy mill broker, you have bought puppy mill dogs. Christine DiCarlo may be stupid, but we are not.
Christine DiCarlo flat out lied in saying "Nothing is coming from puppy mills." She flat out lied in telling me she would only get her pups from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut.
She flat out lied when she told me should would personally pick up her dogs and knew the breeders. I have witnesses to each of these falsehoods.
To reiterate a virtual fact, all puppy stores get their stock from puppy mills. If they say they do not, they are ignorant or lying.
Ms. DiCarlo ought to be selling paper goods and pencils, leaving the sale of these marvelous and sentient creatures to those for whom dogs come before dollars.
John Katz
Ridgebury Road, March 11
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, March 11
Puppy issue is nauseating
Letter to the Editor
Having just read the letter "Truck Unloads Midwest Puppies" (March 11), I am nauseated by what I read, that such utterly compassion-less dealings go on in this town of what is considered to be an educated society.
How on earth can this ghastly puppy-selling business be allowed to continue, when strong evidence exists that it is supporting puppy mill breeders and lying about where the puppies come from? The attorney general and animal rights organizations should take action immediately to investigate it, and follow the trail right back to the point of the original breeders, and close them, and this store and the Hunte's delivery business down. Ridgefield zoning be ashamed for allowing this type of cruel, ignorant, exploitational business to go on in our town.
Danny Cutting
73 Holmes Road, March 11
Letter to the Editor
Having just read the letter "Truck Unloads Midwest Puppies" (March 11), I am nauseated by what I read, that such utterly compassion-less dealings go on in this town of what is considered to be an educated society.
How on earth can this ghastly puppy-selling business be allowed to continue, when strong evidence exists that it is supporting puppy mill breeders and lying about where the puppies come from? The attorney general and animal rights organizations should take action immediately to investigate it, and follow the trail right back to the point of the original breeders, and close them, and this store and the Hunte's delivery business down. Ridgefield zoning be ashamed for allowing this type of cruel, ignorant, exploitational business to go on in our town.
Danny Cutting
73 Holmes Road, March 11
Monday, March 15, 2010
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, March 15
True Breeders resumes puppy sales after state lifts quarantine
by Macklin Reid
Link Here
True Breeders, the Branchville puppy store closed by the state two weeks ago, passed an inspection by Connecticut Animal Control Officer Nancy Jarvis today and has reopened.
The store Route 7 has state approval to resume all aspects of its business, including the sale of dogs.
“The state animal control officer went down, conducted an inspection of the facility this morning, didn’t notice any animals exhibiting signs of illness, and the store subsequently passed inspection and she’s ready to go,” said Ray Connors, animal control supervisor with the State Department of Agriculture.
Mr. Connors said Monday morning’s inspection was carried out by Animal Control Officer Nancy Jarvis, who had imposed a quarantine on the store March 5 after a puppy sold by True Breeders was diagnosed with canine parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that is often fatal.
True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo confirmed in an e-mail Saturday had she had refunded Victor and Cheryl Muniz of Wilton the $1,603 purchase price of the Teacup Yorkshire Terrier puppy they’d bought. The dog was put down after it failed to respond well to treatment for parvovirus, which the dog was diagnosed with a few days after being sold.
Ms. Muniz told The Press Friday that she’d been reimbursed the cost of the dog, but was still seeking restitution for more than $2,700 in veterinary bills run up during the dog’s illness.
“Yes, I refunded them 1,603, the price of the puppy,” Ms. DiCarlo said. “All our other puppies are healthy, no other puppy has been diagnosed with parvo.”
Although there has been talk circulating that another puppy had been diagnosed with parvovirus, Mr. Connors confirmed Friday and again Monday that the state Department of Agriculture had received no report of a second parvo case related to Ms. DiCarlo’s store.
“Any veterinarian would notify us,” he said. “I’ve checked around the office and nobody’s heard anything about another parvo puppy. The rumor mill spins.”
Symptoms of canine parvovirus include diarrhea, often with bloody feces, and sometimes by vomiting.
Many puppies have immunity inherited from their mother, but that wears off. To be protected against canine parvovirus, puppies need to be vaccinated after the maternal immunity has worn off — the maternal immunity can prevent the vaccine from working — but before the dog is exposed to the disease. This is one of the main reasons dogs get a series of puppy shots — to bracket the time immunity wears off.
“Most of those puppies will lose their maternal immunity at 16 weeks,” said Dr. Bruce Sherman, a veterinarian and Director of the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection with the state Department of Agriculture. “If you’ve had a series starting at six weeks and going to 20, you’d probably be safe.”
Most older dogs have that have had their shots kept up retain an immunity. Cats are susceptible to feline parvovirus, but not known to get the canine strain of the disease.
Canine parvovirus is not know to cause disease in humans.
by Macklin Reid
Link Here
True Breeders, the Branchville puppy store closed by the state two weeks ago, passed an inspection by Connecticut Animal Control Officer Nancy Jarvis today and has reopened.
The store Route 7 has state approval to resume all aspects of its business, including the sale of dogs.
“The state animal control officer went down, conducted an inspection of the facility this morning, didn’t notice any animals exhibiting signs of illness, and the store subsequently passed inspection and she’s ready to go,” said Ray Connors, animal control supervisor with the State Department of Agriculture.
Mr. Connors said Monday morning’s inspection was carried out by Animal Control Officer Nancy Jarvis, who had imposed a quarantine on the store March 5 after a puppy sold by True Breeders was diagnosed with canine parvovirus, a highly contagious disease that is often fatal.
True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo confirmed in an e-mail Saturday had she had refunded Victor and Cheryl Muniz of Wilton the $1,603 purchase price of the Teacup Yorkshire Terrier puppy they’d bought. The dog was put down after it failed to respond well to treatment for parvovirus, which the dog was diagnosed with a few days after being sold.
Ms. Muniz told The Press Friday that she’d been reimbursed the cost of the dog, but was still seeking restitution for more than $2,700 in veterinary bills run up during the dog’s illness.
“Yes, I refunded them 1,603, the price of the puppy,” Ms. DiCarlo said. “All our other puppies are healthy, no other puppy has been diagnosed with parvo.”
Although there has been talk circulating that another puppy had been diagnosed with parvovirus, Mr. Connors confirmed Friday and again Monday that the state Department of Agriculture had received no report of a second parvo case related to Ms. DiCarlo’s store.
“Any veterinarian would notify us,” he said. “I’ve checked around the office and nobody’s heard anything about another parvo puppy. The rumor mill spins.”
Symptoms of canine parvovirus include diarrhea, often with bloody feces, and sometimes by vomiting.
Many puppies have immunity inherited from their mother, but that wears off. To be protected against canine parvovirus, puppies need to be vaccinated after the maternal immunity has worn off — the maternal immunity can prevent the vaccine from working — but before the dog is exposed to the disease. This is one of the main reasons dogs get a series of puppy shots — to bracket the time immunity wears off.
“Most of those puppies will lose their maternal immunity at 16 weeks,” said Dr. Bruce Sherman, a veterinarian and Director of the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection with the state Department of Agriculture. “If you’ve had a series starting at six weeks and going to 20, you’d probably be safe.”
Most older dogs have that have had their shots kept up retain an immunity. Cats are susceptible to feline parvovirus, but not known to get the canine strain of the disease.
Canine parvovirus is not know to cause disease in humans.
The Hunte Connection - Where True Breeders gets their puppies
Ridgefield pet store, True Breeders, has made several statements about where their puppies are from - including the Hunte Corporation of Missouri. Please visit these links to read about the Hunte Corporation and why you should NOT purchase a Hunte puppy:
USDA INSPECTION REPORTS - citing the Hunte Corporation for numerous violations, such as sale of puppies under the minimum age of 8 weeks, failure to provide safe, adequate shelter, and incomplete or missing medical records.
Find out more about the Hunte Corporation USDA inspection reports by clicking here
Other links:
From Prisoners of Greed: The Hunte Corporation - A Commercial Puppy Broker
From Companion Animal Protection Society: Undercover Videos at the Hunte Corporation: An Expose of America's largest Supplier of Pet Shop Puppies
From Petstore Cruelty: The Hunte Corp.
USDA INSPECTION REPORTS - citing the Hunte Corporation for numerous violations, such as sale of puppies under the minimum age of 8 weeks, failure to provide safe, adequate shelter, and incomplete or missing medical records.
Find out more about the Hunte Corporation USDA inspection reports by clicking here
Other links:
From Prisoners of Greed: The Hunte Corporation - A Commercial Puppy Broker
From Companion Animal Protection Society: Undercover Videos at the Hunte Corporation: An Expose of America's largest Supplier of Pet Shop Puppies
From Petstore Cruelty: The Hunte Corp.
Bronx Dog Fighters Face Justice - THIS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17
MORE INFO HERE:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/06/15/2008-06-15_16_pitbulls_found_in_bronx_dogfighting_h.html
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/13875/NY/US/
http://stopdogfightingnownyc.wetpaint.com/page/Bronx%20Dog%20Fighters%20Found%20Guilty-%20Sentencing%20on%20Wednesday,%20March%2017,%202010
On March 17, 2010, Alexander Estephane and Juan Toledo, convicted dog fighters, will be sentenced by Judge Cassandra Mullen in Bronx County Supreme Court – 265 East 165th Street – Bronx, NY 10451 – Part 22 – 9:00 A.M.
NYC animal advocates, humane organizations, community boards, politicians and the public, have thus far responded with a deafening silence, only a handful attending the trial. ATTEND THE SENTENCING! PACK THE COURTROOM AND THE STREET OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE! We must unite and show our support for the victims. DO NOT LET THEIR DEATHS BE IN VAIN.
Alexander Estephane, 45, of 108 East 179th Street, the Bronx, and Juan Toledo, 40, of Paterson, New Jersey, were found guilty of one count of Prohibition of Animal Fighting of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law. The jury convicted Estephane under section 351-2(d) which makes it illegal to permit animal fighting to occur on a premises that is under his control. Toledo was convicted under section 351-2(a) which prohibits causing an animal to engage in fighting for amusement or gain. The prohibition of animal fighting is an unclassified felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 4 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $25,000.
The crime occurred on June 14, 2008 in the basement of Estephane’s home which had been converted into a dog fighting ring made of plywood. Authorities recovered 16 pit bulls, including a badly injured dog in a cage that later succumbed to its wounds. Other animals were rescued from cages in other areas of the house
and in the backyard.
Investigators also recovered break sticks, which were used to disengage fighting dogs by unlocking their jaws, and syringes filled with testosterone to make
the animals more aggressive.
The discovery of this illegal enterprise involving animal cruelty was the result of information developed by the New Jersey State Police during an investigation into dog fighting in New Jersey.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Elizabeth Brandler and James Goward of the Rackets Bureau.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/06/15/2008-06-15_16_pitbulls_found_in_bronx_dogfighting_h.html
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/13875/NY/US/
http://stopdogfightingnownyc.wetpaint.com/page/Bronx%20Dog%20Fighters%20Found%20Guilty-%20Sentencing%20on%20Wednesday,%20March%2017,%202010
On March 17, 2010, Alexander Estephane and Juan Toledo, convicted dog fighters, will be sentenced by Judge Cassandra Mullen in Bronx County Supreme Court – 265 East 165th Street – Bronx, NY 10451 – Part 22 – 9:00 A.M.
NYC animal advocates, humane organizations, community boards, politicians and the public, have thus far responded with a deafening silence, only a handful attending the trial. ATTEND THE SENTENCING! PACK THE COURTROOM AND THE STREET OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE! We must unite and show our support for the victims. DO NOT LET THEIR DEATHS BE IN VAIN.
Alexander Estephane, 45, of 108 East 179th Street, the Bronx, and Juan Toledo, 40, of Paterson, New Jersey, were found guilty of one count of Prohibition of Animal Fighting of the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law. The jury convicted Estephane under section 351-2(d) which makes it illegal to permit animal fighting to occur on a premises that is under his control. Toledo was convicted under section 351-2(a) which prohibits causing an animal to engage in fighting for amusement or gain. The prohibition of animal fighting is an unclassified felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 4 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $25,000.
The crime occurred on June 14, 2008 in the basement of Estephane’s home which had been converted into a dog fighting ring made of plywood. Authorities recovered 16 pit bulls, including a badly injured dog in a cage that later succumbed to its wounds. Other animals were rescued from cages in other areas of the house
and in the backyard.
Investigators also recovered break sticks, which were used to disengage fighting dogs by unlocking their jaws, and syringes filled with testosterone to make
the animals more aggressive.
The discovery of this illegal enterprise involving animal cruelty was the result of information developed by the New Jersey State Police during an investigation into dog fighting in New Jersey.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Elizabeth Brandler and James Goward of the Rackets Bureau.
Friday, March 12, 2010
NEWS - Couple reimbursed for price of dead puppy - Ridgefield Press, March 12
Couple reimbursed for price of dead puppy
Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
The purchasers of the puppy that was put down after being diagnosed with parvovirus confirmed Friday that the True Breeders store in Branchville had reimbursed them what they’d paid for the dog.
“Yes, we did get refunded the purchase price of the dog, Oprah — $1,603,” said Cheryl Muniz.
So far, the couple has not been reimbursed for $2,700 in veterinary expenses.
Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and is regarded as particularly threatening to young dogs that have not had all their “puppy shots.”
With symptoms that include diarrhea that is often bloody, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, the disease is often fatal to dogs without immunity.
Ms. Muniz and her husband, Victor, Wilton residents, bought a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier puppy at the True Breeders store in Branchville on Sunday, Feb. 28.
The dog began showing symptoms, was taken to two different veterinarians, and was diagnosed with canine parvovirus. After failing to respond well to treatment, the puppy was put down Friday, March 5.
The incident led the state to impose a 14-day quarantine on the True Breeders store, which cannot take in or sell dogs during that time.
People may come and go from the store during the quarantine, and it is allowed to continue with retail sales of merchandise other than live dogs.
Ms. Muniz said she and her husband were trying to get True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo and the Hunte Corporation of Missouri, the broker that supplied the store with the puppy, to repay them for more than $2,700 in veterinary bills they accumulated trying to save the puppy.
“That’s all we got refunded,” Ms. Muniz said of the $1,603 purchase price. “We haven’t gotten any kind reimbursement for vet bills. She says she’s working on that with Hunte Corporation.”
As reported in more detail in this week’s Press, the the couple had bought to puppy as a present for Mr. Muniz’ mother.
Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
The purchasers of the puppy that was put down after being diagnosed with parvovirus confirmed Friday that the True Breeders store in Branchville had reimbursed them what they’d paid for the dog.
“Yes, we did get refunded the purchase price of the dog, Oprah — $1,603,” said Cheryl Muniz.
So far, the couple has not been reimbursed for $2,700 in veterinary expenses.
Canine parvovirus is highly contagious and is regarded as particularly threatening to young dogs that have not had all their “puppy shots.”
With symptoms that include diarrhea that is often bloody, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, the disease is often fatal to dogs without immunity.
Ms. Muniz and her husband, Victor, Wilton residents, bought a Teacup Yorkshire Terrier puppy at the True Breeders store in Branchville on Sunday, Feb. 28.
The dog began showing symptoms, was taken to two different veterinarians, and was diagnosed with canine parvovirus. After failing to respond well to treatment, the puppy was put down Friday, March 5.
The incident led the state to impose a 14-day quarantine on the True Breeders store, which cannot take in or sell dogs during that time.
People may come and go from the store during the quarantine, and it is allowed to continue with retail sales of merchandise other than live dogs.
Ms. Muniz said she and her husband were trying to get True Breeders owner Christine DiCarlo and the Hunte Corporation of Missouri, the broker that supplied the store with the puppy, to repay them for more than $2,700 in veterinary bills they accumulated trying to save the puppy.
“That’s all we got refunded,” Ms. Muniz said of the $1,603 purchase price. “We haven’t gotten any kind reimbursement for vet bills. She says she’s working on that with Hunte Corporation.”
As reported in more detail in this week’s Press, the the couple had bought to puppy as a present for Mr. Muniz’ mother.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
NEWS - State orders quarantine at store after dog with parvovirus dies - Wilton Bulletin, March 11
State orders quarantine at store after dog with parvovirus dies
Written by Macklin Reid
A teacup Yorkshire Terrier was put down after unsuccessful treatment for the highly contagious canine parvovirus, a diagnosis which led state authorities to impose a 14-day quarantine on True Breeders, a new “puppy store” on Route 7 in Branchville where the dog had been purchased less than a week before.
“It was heartbreaking. It’s a nightmare. I don’t want anybody to go through this,” said Cheryl Muniz of Wilton, who bought the dog with her husband, Victor, as a present for his mother.
The 14-day quarantine is designed to limit the potential spread of parvovirus, which is regarded as particularly threatening to young dogs that have not had all their “puppy shots” — and is often fatal.
“On Friday, one of our officers received a complaint from a consumer that their dog was diagnosed with canine parvovirus,” Raymond Connors, animal control supervisor with the state Department of Agriculture, said Monday.
“It was confirmed from the veterinarian that that indeed was what the dog had. The officer responded to the store and notified the owner, Christine DiCarlo, that the dog died of parvovirus.”
Canine parvovirus is most frequently characterized by diarrhea that is often bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting. It is generally viewed as a threat to puppies, although their are a number of variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs. Parvovirus has been reported recently at dog shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, (For more on Parvovirus, see related story.)
Mr. Connors said the state would allow the True Breeders store to reopen at the end of the 14 days if no dogs there showed signs of the disease.
“The purpose of the quarantine is, if any of the other dogs are incubating the virus, the virus will manifest itself within that 14-day period,” he said.
Cheryl and Victor Muniz bought the dog Sunday, Feb. 28, for his mother, who has a Chihuahua and had long wanted a teacup Yorkie, they said.
“We were doing a good thing for her, and it backfired,” Ms. Muniz said. “That’s the heartbreaking thing about it: My mother-in-law fell in love with her in the two days she was with her.”
They said the puppy, who was named Oprah, began showing symptoms Monday night and was clearly very sick by midweek.
“Wednesday afternoon the dog seemed to be getting worse so my wife took it to the 24-hour place in Norwalk,” Mr. Muniz said. “And they did a bunch of tests and determined the dog had the parvovirus, so we had to leave the puppy there.
“...They did an I-V, they did blood work, they did as much as they could for the puppy, up until Friday,” Mr. Muniz said.
“Friday morning we came to the conclusion it wasn’t getting any better, it was just in really bad shape, and the best thing to do was put it down.”
The puppy’s death was hard Mr. Muniz’ mother, and also on the family’s nine-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.
“My mother was destroyed,” said Mr. Muniz. “My kids, we only had the puppy a couple of days, but the love was there. This was my mother’s dream dog. I gave my mother the puppy, for it to die a few days later? It’s ridiculous.”
When they told their story Tuesday afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Muniz were still seeking promised restitution from True Breeders LLC for the $1,603 they’d paid for the puppy. The couple also believes the store should reimburse them for the $2,757 in veterinary bills they piled up treating the dog.
Puppy mills
Christine DiCarlo, who opened True Breeders in January, declined to discuss the incident with The Bulletin’s sister publication The Ridgefield Press, but promised a written statement — which had not been received by publication time.
In a interview broadcast Monday night by News 12 Connecticut, the Cablevision news show, Ms. DiCarlo affirmed her intention to pay her customers back.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so so sorry,” she said, according to a transcript of the interview provided by News 12 Connecticut. “I will do everything to make it right.”
In the interview, Ms. DiCarlo insisted the puppy had not picked up parvovirus at True Breeders, but had been brought in with it.
“This puppy came in with parvo. It had nothing to do with my store,” she said.
Where the puppy came from — Missouri, according to Mr. Connors of the state Department of Agriculture — adds fuel to the controversy that has surrounded True Breeders since the store opened in January.
A coalition of local dog breeders and activist dog lovers has opposed the store — lobbying local officials to take action, writing letters to The Press, sometimes protesting in the store’s Route 7 parking lot.
Their chief objection has been a conviction the store would be an outlet for “puppy mills” — unscrupulous dog breeders, particularly from the Midwest and Pennsylvania, said to care more about profit than their animals’ health.
Ms. DiCarlo has insisted this is not the case: “I do not deal with puppy mills. I love dogs,” she said in the News 12 Connecticut cable TV interview.
The Missouri origins of the puppy that died are pointed to by Ms. DiCarlo’s opponents as evidence that she has not been truthful about buying puppy mill dogs.
Mary-Jo Duffy of Wilton is the president of the board of directors of ROAR, which runs the non-profit dog shelter in Ridgefield, said opponents had seen a big tractor trailer truck unloading puppies at True Breeders two Tuesdays in a row.
“It’s from Hunte Corporation, based in Missouri, and they are probably the country’s biggest broker of puppy mill puppies,” she said. “She’s absolutely deceiving the public,” Ms. Duffy said of Ms. DiCarlo. “She has a sign in her window that says ‘We do not buy from puppy mils.’ Maybe that’s true. But she buys from a broker who buys from puppy mills.”
Mr. Connors The Press he’d been to the store Monday, and thought the operators were reacting responsibly to the parvovirus threat.
“I was there yesterday, and there was no fecal material on the floors or in any of the holding areas where the dogs are being housed,” he said. “Ms. DiCarlo, the licensee, is using the proper disinfectant for controlling parvovirus, so there’s no need for concern about tracking anything out of the store.”
Written by Macklin Reid
A teacup Yorkshire Terrier was put down after unsuccessful treatment for the highly contagious canine parvovirus, a diagnosis which led state authorities to impose a 14-day quarantine on True Breeders, a new “puppy store” on Route 7 in Branchville where the dog had been purchased less than a week before.
“It was heartbreaking. It’s a nightmare. I don’t want anybody to go through this,” said Cheryl Muniz of Wilton, who bought the dog with her husband, Victor, as a present for his mother.
The 14-day quarantine is designed to limit the potential spread of parvovirus, which is regarded as particularly threatening to young dogs that have not had all their “puppy shots” — and is often fatal.
“On Friday, one of our officers received a complaint from a consumer that their dog was diagnosed with canine parvovirus,” Raymond Connors, animal control supervisor with the state Department of Agriculture, said Monday.
“It was confirmed from the veterinarian that that indeed was what the dog had. The officer responded to the store and notified the owner, Christine DiCarlo, that the dog died of parvovirus.”
Canine parvovirus is most frequently characterized by diarrhea that is often bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting. It is generally viewed as a threat to puppies, although their are a number of variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs. Parvovirus has been reported recently at dog shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, (For more on Parvovirus, see related story.)
Mr. Connors said the state would allow the True Breeders store to reopen at the end of the 14 days if no dogs there showed signs of the disease.
“The purpose of the quarantine is, if any of the other dogs are incubating the virus, the virus will manifest itself within that 14-day period,” he said.
Cheryl and Victor Muniz bought the dog Sunday, Feb. 28, for his mother, who has a Chihuahua and had long wanted a teacup Yorkie, they said.
“We were doing a good thing for her, and it backfired,” Ms. Muniz said. “That’s the heartbreaking thing about it: My mother-in-law fell in love with her in the two days she was with her.”
They said the puppy, who was named Oprah, began showing symptoms Monday night and was clearly very sick by midweek.
“Wednesday afternoon the dog seemed to be getting worse so my wife took it to the 24-hour place in Norwalk,” Mr. Muniz said. “And they did a bunch of tests and determined the dog had the parvovirus, so we had to leave the puppy there.
“...They did an I-V, they did blood work, they did as much as they could for the puppy, up until Friday,” Mr. Muniz said.
“Friday morning we came to the conclusion it wasn’t getting any better, it was just in really bad shape, and the best thing to do was put it down.”
The puppy’s death was hard Mr. Muniz’ mother, and also on the family’s nine-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter.
“My mother was destroyed,” said Mr. Muniz. “My kids, we only had the puppy a couple of days, but the love was there. This was my mother’s dream dog. I gave my mother the puppy, for it to die a few days later? It’s ridiculous.”
When they told their story Tuesday afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Muniz were still seeking promised restitution from True Breeders LLC for the $1,603 they’d paid for the puppy. The couple also believes the store should reimburse them for the $2,757 in veterinary bills they piled up treating the dog.
Puppy mills
Christine DiCarlo, who opened True Breeders in January, declined to discuss the incident with The Bulletin’s sister publication The Ridgefield Press, but promised a written statement — which had not been received by publication time.
In a interview broadcast Monday night by News 12 Connecticut, the Cablevision news show, Ms. DiCarlo affirmed her intention to pay her customers back.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so so sorry,” she said, according to a transcript of the interview provided by News 12 Connecticut. “I will do everything to make it right.”
In the interview, Ms. DiCarlo insisted the puppy had not picked up parvovirus at True Breeders, but had been brought in with it.
“This puppy came in with parvo. It had nothing to do with my store,” she said.
Where the puppy came from — Missouri, according to Mr. Connors of the state Department of Agriculture — adds fuel to the controversy that has surrounded True Breeders since the store opened in January.
A coalition of local dog breeders and activist dog lovers has opposed the store — lobbying local officials to take action, writing letters to The Press, sometimes protesting in the store’s Route 7 parking lot.
Their chief objection has been a conviction the store would be an outlet for “puppy mills” — unscrupulous dog breeders, particularly from the Midwest and Pennsylvania, said to care more about profit than their animals’ health.
Ms. DiCarlo has insisted this is not the case: “I do not deal with puppy mills. I love dogs,” she said in the News 12 Connecticut cable TV interview.
The Missouri origins of the puppy that died are pointed to by Ms. DiCarlo’s opponents as evidence that she has not been truthful about buying puppy mill dogs.
Mary-Jo Duffy of Wilton is the president of the board of directors of ROAR, which runs the non-profit dog shelter in Ridgefield, said opponents had seen a big tractor trailer truck unloading puppies at True Breeders two Tuesdays in a row.
“It’s from Hunte Corporation, based in Missouri, and they are probably the country’s biggest broker of puppy mill puppies,” she said. “She’s absolutely deceiving the public,” Ms. Duffy said of Ms. DiCarlo. “She has a sign in her window that says ‘We do not buy from puppy mils.’ Maybe that’s true. But she buys from a broker who buys from puppy mills.”
Mr. Connors The Press he’d been to the store Monday, and thought the operators were reacting responsibly to the parvovirus threat.
“I was there yesterday, and there was no fecal material on the floors or in any of the holding areas where the dogs are being housed,” he said. “Ms. DiCarlo, the licensee, is using the proper disinfectant for controlling parvovirus, so there’s no need for concern about tracking anything out of the store.”
NEWS - Parvo: What is it and what can be done to avoid it? - Ridgefield Press, March 11
Parvo: What is it and what can be done to avoid it?
Written by Jack Sanders
Canine parvovirus is considered life-threatening and highly contagious to puppies and younger dogs, although older dogs that have been through their full series of “puppy shots” are generally protected from it.
The death of a dog from this disease is what prompted the state to quarantine the puppy sales for 14 days at True Breeders in Branchville, where the diseased puppy came from.
“Parvo,” as the disease is often called, is most often characterized by diarrhea that is in many cases bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting.
“There is a high fatality rate,” said Dr. Bruce Sherman, a veterinarian who is director of the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection with the state Department of Agriculture.
The agriculture department is the state agency that imposed a 14-day quarantine on True Breeders.
“It depends on the situation, it depends on the individual animals, but it does have a high fatality rate in puppies that have no immunity to it. ” Dr. Sherman said.
Some puppies will have some temporary immunity passed on from their mothers.
“If the puppy has some immunity that has been passed along from the mother, chances are even if it’s exposed to the virus it won’t become infected,” Dr. Sherman said. “And if it does, it may not be as severe.”
The maternal protection fades with time, and may be replaced with immunization by shots — but the timing is tricky
While vaccinations are considered pretty reliable for dogs that have had their whole course of puppy shots, Dr. Sherman said, dogs that haven’t had all their shots may not be protected.
“Sometimes the immunity the puppy has from the mother will interfere with the vaccination,” he said. “That’s why they give a series of vaccinations. Nobody really knows when that immunity from the puppy will be gone.”
Although parvovirus is generally viewed as less of a threat to older dogs, particularly those that have had their shots, there are different variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs.
The Web site peteducation.com reports, “Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo...”
There are parvoviruses that affect cats, but they are different strains than the ones affecting dogs. Cross-species contamination is not considered a worry.
Cleaning up kennels and areas where parvo has struck can be a tough job, Dr. Sherman said.
“It’s a nasty disease,” he said. “The virus is excreted in fecal material. It can be pretty difficult to disinfect areas.”
Areas where infected dogs have been kept must be “thoroughly cleaned and disinfected,” Dr. Sherman said.
“Cleaning is as important as the disinfection, because disinfectants don’t work well on organic material — it has to be a clean surface for the disinfectant to work.”
DVM360.com, a Web newsmagazine aimed at veterinarians, reported on Feb. 25 that parvovirus had turned up this winter in dogs at shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, raising concern among area veterinarians that there might be something of an outbreak in the area.
It quoted a Southport veterinarian as saying treatment for a dog with the disease may cost around $4,000, and calling for vigilance in hospital and shelter protocols, in vaccination, and in public education.
“There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with parvovirus,” Peteducation.com says. “ Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few, if any, symptoms. The majority of cases of disease are seen in dogs less than six months of age with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age.
“There are also significant differences in response to parvovirus infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, and Labrador retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.”
Peteducation.com also says, “Not all cases of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are caused by parvovirus and many sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having ‘parvo.’ The only way to know if a dog has parvovirus is through a positive diagnostic test.”
Written by Jack Sanders
Canine parvovirus is considered life-threatening and highly contagious to puppies and younger dogs, although older dogs that have been through their full series of “puppy shots” are generally protected from it.
The death of a dog from this disease is what prompted the state to quarantine the puppy sales for 14 days at True Breeders in Branchville, where the diseased puppy came from.
“Parvo,” as the disease is often called, is most often characterized by diarrhea that is in many cases bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting.
“There is a high fatality rate,” said Dr. Bruce Sherman, a veterinarian who is director of the Bureau of Regulation and Inspection with the state Department of Agriculture.
The agriculture department is the state agency that imposed a 14-day quarantine on True Breeders.
“It depends on the situation, it depends on the individual animals, but it does have a high fatality rate in puppies that have no immunity to it. ” Dr. Sherman said.
Some puppies will have some temporary immunity passed on from their mothers.
“If the puppy has some immunity that has been passed along from the mother, chances are even if it’s exposed to the virus it won’t become infected,” Dr. Sherman said. “And if it does, it may not be as severe.”
The maternal protection fades with time, and may be replaced with immunization by shots — but the timing is tricky
While vaccinations are considered pretty reliable for dogs that have had their whole course of puppy shots, Dr. Sherman said, dogs that haven’t had all their shots may not be protected.
“Sometimes the immunity the puppy has from the mother will interfere with the vaccination,” he said. “That’s why they give a series of vaccinations. Nobody really knows when that immunity from the puppy will be gone.”
Although parvovirus is generally viewed as less of a threat to older dogs, particularly those that have had their shots, there are different variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs.
The Web site peteducation.com reports, “Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo...”
There are parvoviruses that affect cats, but they are different strains than the ones affecting dogs. Cross-species contamination is not considered a worry.
Cleaning up kennels and areas where parvo has struck can be a tough job, Dr. Sherman said.
“It’s a nasty disease,” he said. “The virus is excreted in fecal material. It can be pretty difficult to disinfect areas.”
Areas where infected dogs have been kept must be “thoroughly cleaned and disinfected,” Dr. Sherman said.
“Cleaning is as important as the disinfection, because disinfectants don’t work well on organic material — it has to be a clean surface for the disinfectant to work.”
DVM360.com, a Web newsmagazine aimed at veterinarians, reported on Feb. 25 that parvovirus had turned up this winter in dogs at shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, raising concern among area veterinarians that there might be something of an outbreak in the area.
It quoted a Southport veterinarian as saying treatment for a dog with the disease may cost around $4,000, and calling for vigilance in hospital and shelter protocols, in vaccination, and in public education.
“There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with parvovirus,” Peteducation.com says. “ Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few, if any, symptoms. The majority of cases of disease are seen in dogs less than six months of age with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age.
“There are also significant differences in response to parvovirus infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, and Labrador retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.”
Peteducation.com also says, “Not all cases of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are caused by parvovirus and many sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having ‘parvo.’ The only way to know if a dog has parvovirus is through a positive diagnostic test.”
NEWS - True Breeders owner says she is still open for non-puppy sales, training - Ridgefield Press, March 11
True Breeders owner says she is still open for non-puppy sales, training
Written by The Ridgefield Press
Christine DiCarlo, owner of True Breeders, issued a statement Wednesday, expressing sympathy to the family of the dog that died, and reporting that her store is still in business for non-puppy sales and for training. Her statement follows:
"I feel the need to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family who bought the teacup Yorkie from my store, True Breeders. It was a very unfortunate incident.
"I just want to clear up any rumors or half truth that is going around.
"As many of the Connecticut papers have published in recent months, there is an outbreak of parvovirus going around the state. This virus mostly affects puppies who are not yet fully vaccinated.
"This puppy came to our store vibrant, healthy and happy. Three days after the puppy went home, it started showing signs of being ill. I informed the family to bring it to our vet, Dr. Dann, immediately and I would cover all the medical expenses.
"The family chose to take it to their vet who in turn gave it fluids and sent it home. It was never tested for the parvovirus. If it had been detected and diagnosed in a timely manner, the puppy may have been able to be saved.
"As a standard precaution, the Department of Agriculture quarantined our dogs for 14 days from when the puppy left our store. All of our other puppies are healthy and showing no signs of parvo, but cannot be sold until Monday, the 15th, when the Department of Agriculture returns.
"We are still open for retail and dog obedience training, which is held in a separate part of our store.
"I just want to let our previous and any potential customers know that we are taking every precaution to ensure this doesn’t happen again and that the health and safety of our puppies is our #1 priority."
Written by The Ridgefield Press
Christine DiCarlo, owner of True Breeders, issued a statement Wednesday, expressing sympathy to the family of the dog that died, and reporting that her store is still in business for non-puppy sales and for training. Her statement follows:
"I feel the need to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family who bought the teacup Yorkie from my store, True Breeders. It was a very unfortunate incident.
"I just want to clear up any rumors or half truth that is going around.
"As many of the Connecticut papers have published in recent months, there is an outbreak of parvovirus going around the state. This virus mostly affects puppies who are not yet fully vaccinated.
"This puppy came to our store vibrant, healthy and happy. Three days after the puppy went home, it started showing signs of being ill. I informed the family to bring it to our vet, Dr. Dann, immediately and I would cover all the medical expenses.
"The family chose to take it to their vet who in turn gave it fluids and sent it home. It was never tested for the parvovirus. If it had been detected and diagnosed in a timely manner, the puppy may have been able to be saved.
"As a standard precaution, the Department of Agriculture quarantined our dogs for 14 days from when the puppy left our store. All of our other puppies are healthy and showing no signs of parvo, but cannot be sold until Monday, the 15th, when the Department of Agriculture returns.
"We are still open for retail and dog obedience training, which is held in a separate part of our store.
"I just want to let our previous and any potential customers know that we are taking every precaution to ensure this doesn’t happen again and that the health and safety of our puppies is our #1 priority."
Monday, March 8, 2010
NEWS - State Closes Ridgefield "Puppy Store" After Finding Deadly Virus - Ridgefield Press, March 8
State closes Ridgefield "puppy store" after finding deadly virus
Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
The state has shut down True Breeders, the controversial puppy store on Route 7 in Branchville, imposing a 14-day quarantine on Friday, March 5, after a local veterinarian diagnosed a puppy purchased there with the canine parvo virus, which is often fatal to puppies.
“On Friday, one of our officers received a complaint from a consumer that their dog was diagnosed with canine parvovirus,” said Raymond Connors, animal control supervisor with the state Department of Agriculture.
“It was confirmed from the veterinarian that that indeed was what the dog had. The officer responded to the store and notified the owner, Christine DiCarlo, that the dog died of parvovirus.”
According to reports, a puppy purchased for $1,600 at the store died of the disease. Some sources say the puppy was among dogs received from a breeder in Missouri, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Canine parvovirus most frequently characterized by diarrhea that is in many cases bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting. It is highly contagious and often fatal for puppies.
It is generally viewed as less of a threat to older dogs, particularly those that have had their shots, although their are a number of variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs.
DVM360.com, a web newsmagazine aimed at veterinarians, reported on Feb. 25 that parvovirus had turned up in dogs at shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, raising concern among area veterinarians that there might be an outbreak in the area.
It quoted a Southport veterinarian as saying treatment for a dog with the disease costs around $4,000, and calling for vigilance in hospital and shelter protocols, in vaccination, and in public education.
The website peteducation.com reports “Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo...
“Not all cases of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are caused by parvovirus and many sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having ‘parvo.’ The only way to know if a dog has parvovirus is through a positive diagnostic test.”
Peteducation.com also says: “There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with parvovirus. Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few, if any, symptoms. The majority of cases of disease are seen in dogs less than six months of age with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age.
“There are also significant differences in response to parvovirus infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.”
Mr. Connors of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture said that state would allow the True Breeders store in Branchville to reopen at the end of the 14 days — that would be March 19 or 20 — if no dogs there showed symptoms of the disease.
“The purpose of the quarantine is, if any of the other dogs are incubating the virus, the virus will manifest itself within that 14 day period,” he said.
“The store would be able to re-open if it’s cleared, if none of the other dogs are exhibiting any symptoms.”
Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
The state has shut down True Breeders, the controversial puppy store on Route 7 in Branchville, imposing a 14-day quarantine on Friday, March 5, after a local veterinarian diagnosed a puppy purchased there with the canine parvo virus, which is often fatal to puppies.
“On Friday, one of our officers received a complaint from a consumer that their dog was diagnosed with canine parvovirus,” said Raymond Connors, animal control supervisor with the state Department of Agriculture.
“It was confirmed from the veterinarian that that indeed was what the dog had. The officer responded to the store and notified the owner, Christine DiCarlo, that the dog died of parvovirus.”
According to reports, a puppy purchased for $1,600 at the store died of the disease. Some sources say the puppy was among dogs received from a breeder in Missouri, but this has not yet been confirmed.
Canine parvovirus most frequently characterized by diarrhea that is in many cases bloody, and may be accompanied by vomiting. It is highly contagious and often fatal for puppies.
It is generally viewed as less of a threat to older dogs, particularly those that have had their shots, although their are a number of variants of the virus in circulation and some can affect older dogs.
DVM360.com, a web newsmagazine aimed at veterinarians, reported on Feb. 25 that parvovirus had turned up in dogs at shelters in Stratford and Fairfield, raising concern among area veterinarians that there might be an outbreak in the area.
It quoted a Southport veterinarian as saying treatment for a dog with the disease costs around $4,000, and calling for vigilance in hospital and shelter protocols, in vaccination, and in public education.
The website peteducation.com reports “Current vaccinations have helped to control the spread of this disease but despite being vaccinated, some dogs still contract and die from parvo...
“Not all cases of bloody diarrhea with or without vomiting are caused by parvovirus and many sick puppies are misdiagnosed as having ‘parvo.’ The only way to know if a dog has parvovirus is through a positive diagnostic test.”
Peteducation.com also says: “There is a broad range in the severity of symptoms shown by dogs that are infected with parvovirus. Many adult dogs exposed to the virus show very few, if any, symptoms. The majority of cases of disease are seen in dogs less than six months of age with the most severe cases seen in puppies younger than 12 weeks of age.
“There are also significant differences in response to parvovirus infections and vaccines among different breeds of dogs, with Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers being more susceptible than other breeds.”
Mr. Connors of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture said that state would allow the True Breeders store in Branchville to reopen at the end of the 14 days — that would be March 19 or 20 — if no dogs there showed symptoms of the disease.
“The purpose of the quarantine is, if any of the other dogs are incubating the virus, the virus will manifest itself within that 14 day period,” he said.
“The store would be able to re-open if it’s cleared, if none of the other dogs are exhibiting any symptoms.”
Sunday, March 7, 2010
PARVO VIRUS ALERT!
Ridgefield, CT pet store True Breeders was closed down by the Connecticut State Department of Agriculture after a puppy died from parvovirus.
Before you go anywhere NEAR the store, check out this information on CANINE PARVO VIRUS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_parvovirus
If you touch any store puppies WASH YOUR HANDS, SHOES AND CLOTHES BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR OWN DOG! This is a highly contagious disease that can be FATAL.
Before you go anywhere NEAR the store, check out this information on CANINE PARVO VIRUS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_parvovirus
If you touch any store puppies WASH YOUR HANDS, SHOES AND CLOTHES BEFORE TOUCHING YOUR OWN DOG! This is a highly contagious disease that can be FATAL.
What do YOU think??
True Breeders was shut down for a 2 week quarantine by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture due to a canine parvovirus infection.
What are YOUR thoughts??
What are YOUR thoughts??
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Store Hours??
Observers reported yesterday (Tuesday, February 9) that True Breeders Pet Store was closed at 5:30pm - if they do not open until 11am today (Wednesday) that means the poor animals inside are alone, possibly without food or clean water, and possibly in their own urine/feces for almost 18 hours?????????????????
Considering the snow storm today, most people are choosing not to venture outside on the icy roads... has anyone seen if the store is open today and if those poor animals have been cared for???
Considering the snow storm today, most people are choosing not to venture outside on the icy roads... has anyone seen if the store is open today and if those poor animals have been cared for???
Saturday, February 6, 2010
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, February 6
Among breeders, ACA is nothing
Letters to the Editor
In response to Christine DiCarlo's claim that her dogs are registered with the ACA instead of the AKC, let me explain that the ACA is but one of a dozen online sites that send "registration" papers to pet shops. They are scams, looking for a way to help puppy mill operators appear legitimate. They will register any dog, and they promise nothing more than an assurance that if your dog is lost you can call their 800 phone number and tell them the dog has gone missing. The same service can be accomplished for much less with a plastic dog tag with your phone number on it. In the world of dog breeding, a registration from the ACA is a bogus claim. It is like buying a doctorate degree for $25 from some online university. It means nothing.
And by the way, what does our town newspaper have against dogs. Did a dog bite incident this week really deserve to be front page news?
Jane Stern
Ridgefield, Feb. 6
Letters to the Editor
In response to Christine DiCarlo's claim that her dogs are registered with the ACA instead of the AKC, let me explain that the ACA is but one of a dozen online sites that send "registration" papers to pet shops. They are scams, looking for a way to help puppy mill operators appear legitimate. They will register any dog, and they promise nothing more than an assurance that if your dog is lost you can call their 800 phone number and tell them the dog has gone missing. The same service can be accomplished for much less with a plastic dog tag with your phone number on it. In the world of dog breeding, a registration from the ACA is a bogus claim. It is like buying a doctorate degree for $25 from some online university. It means nothing.
And by the way, what does our town newspaper have against dogs. Did a dog bite incident this week really deserve to be front page news?
Jane Stern
Ridgefield, Feb. 6
Friday, February 5, 2010
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, February 5
Don't support puppy mills
Letters to the Editor
Over the past many years, my family and I have had three wonderful dogs. For each of them I researched the breed, investigated several breeders, and made home (yes, home, not breeding facility) visits. While there, I was able to not only meet the breeder, but also see the puppies and their parents, while asking tons of questions. Just as importantly, the breeder asked many questions of me, as well as requiring references and the name and number of my vet. A responsible breeder knows where her dogs are going!
Breeders who sell to pet stores neither know, no care, to whom their animals ultimately go. They're selling a product, and will continue to churn out dogs so long as there is profit in it.
Please, don't support the puppy mill industry. When considering buying a purebred pet, do your homework. Research the breeder, make the visit, and ask the questions. If a mixed breed is right for you, go to a local animal shelter and find a wonderful pet. Heaven knows there are more than enought to go around.
Linda Saks
Dogwood Drive, Feb. 5
Letters to the Editor
Over the past many years, my family and I have had three wonderful dogs. For each of them I researched the breed, investigated several breeders, and made home (yes, home, not breeding facility) visits. While there, I was able to not only meet the breeder, but also see the puppies and their parents, while asking tons of questions. Just as importantly, the breeder asked many questions of me, as well as requiring references and the name and number of my vet. A responsible breeder knows where her dogs are going!
Breeders who sell to pet stores neither know, no care, to whom their animals ultimately go. They're selling a product, and will continue to churn out dogs so long as there is profit in it.
Please, don't support the puppy mill industry. When considering buying a purebred pet, do your homework. Research the breeder, make the visit, and ask the questions. If a mixed breed is right for you, go to a local animal shelter and find a wonderful pet. Heaven knows there are more than enought to go around.
Linda Saks
Dogwood Drive, Feb. 5
Saturday, January 30, 2010
How DO you know those are puppy mill puppies????
We received several emails over the past few weeks regarding the puppies for sale in such stores as True Breeders (Ridgefield, CT) and Puppies of Westport (Westport, CT):
"Out of curiosity, how do they know they're coming from Puppy Mills? It doesn't say in here, and I would think that is an important piece of information. How can a consumer tell the difference?"
From our website: ABOUT PET STORES
Pet store owners, managers and salespersons are interested in your MONEY not your dog. They are businessmen/businesswomen and are often VERY SAVVY salespeople! They want you to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a puppy, and they will say ANYTHING to make it happen!
Have you ever been to a car dealership and felt pressured by the salesperson to buy a car you're not sure you want? Has a salesperson in the mall ever try to convince you into a sale with promises of discounts or warrenties? THESE PEOPLE MAKE MONEY BY CONVINCING YOU TO BUY SOMETHING WITHOUT ALL OF THE FACTS! They bank on the fact that you (and your family) will fall in love with a cute puppy and will use your emotions to suck you into a sale.
GET THE FACTS FIRST!
If you visit a pet store, you may hear the following myths from store owners and salespersons:
PET STORE MYTH #1:
"But that puppy is so cute! Shouldn't I save him/her from the store and give him/her a good home?"
FACT
It is a very sad fact that you are not saving a puppy by purchasing one from a pet store. Instead, you putting money into the pockets of puppy mill breeders and encouraging the practice of commercial dog breeding. Supply and demand fuel the puppy mill industry. By giving them your business and money, you are only perpetuating the cruel and inhumane puppy mill business.
PET STORE MYTH #2
"Our puppies come from breeders, not puppy mills."
FACT
The word "breeder" is not an exclusive term. Anyone who puts two dogs together and produces puppies is (technically) a breeder. Don't assume that a puppy from a "breeder" did not come from a puppy mill. A responsible breeder would not sell her puppies to a pet store; she would want to meet you in person.
PET STORE MYTH #3
"All our puppies come from USDA-inspected facilities, so we know they are not from puppy mills."
FACT
Being USDA-inspected does not mean that the business is not a puppy mill, any more than having a driver's license guarantees that the holder is a good driver. It is extremely rare for the USDA to revoke a commercial breeder's license or even fine a puppy mill that has repeated violations. There are hundreds of USDA-licensed puppy mills in operation that have long lists of violations and problems associated with them.
PET STORE MYTH #4
"We know our breeders are not puppy mills because we only deal with breeders we know."
FACT
If a pet store owner or manager tells you this, ask them for documentation that shows exactly where their breeders are located. In most cases, you will find out that the "known breeders" are in distant states. Their definition of "knowing" a breeder often just means that they have been receiving shipments of puppies from the same place repeatedly. The store owner or manager has never visited the breeder's facility or inspected their records.
PET STORE MYTH #5
"We don't sell puppies from local breeders because our state is not regulated, but (the state the puppies come from) is."
FACT
Commercial breeders in ALL states who sell wholesale to pet stores are required to be regulated by the USDA. Some states (such as Missouri and Pennsylvania) also require a state kennel license and state inspections. But this does not mean that puppies from these states are healthier. In fact, Missouri and Pennsylvania have two of the worst concentrations of puppy mills in the United States. This is due in part to the small number of qualified inspectors, infrequent inspections, and the fact that even facilities that are found to be substandard during the inspections process are rarely penalized.
PET STORE MYTH #6
"Our store's puppies are healthy—they come with a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian."
FACT
A health certificate only means that the puppy has had a very brief "wellness" examination by a veterinarian. This exam may not include testing for genetic disorders or diseases such as Giardia and Brucellosis, both of which are contagious to humans and frequently seen in puppy mill puppies.
PET STORE MYTH #7
"Our puppies come with a health guarantee."
FACT
Read "health guarantees" very carefully!! They are often designed to protect the store's interests and not your's. They can be full of exclusions and loopholes, and often require you to return a sick puppy to the store in order to get a refund. Furthermore, the store may use a "health certificate" as "proof" that the puppy was healthy when he or she left the store, leaving the buyer helpless if the puppy becomes sick just a few days after purchase.
PET STORE MYTH #8
"Consumers know our puppies are from good breeders because they are registered and come with papers."
FACT
"Purebred" registration papers (from one of many "kennel clubs" or other dog registries) are only a record of a puppy's parents and/or earlier generations. Commercial breeders regularly sell puppies with papers from prestigious sounding "kennel clubs." These papers do NOT ensure an individual puppy (or parent) is healthy, free of genetic defects, or raised in a humane and sanitary environment.
PET STORE MYTH #9
"We know this is a good breeder. We've never had a problem with any of their puppies."
FACT
Even facilities with mostly healthy puppies and clean inspection reports are keeping dozens or even hundreds of breeding dogs in cages for their entire lives. These breeding dogs live behind bars from birth until death. They never feel grass under their feet, enjoy a treat or toy, have loving human contact or receive proper veterinary care. They are bred repeatedly until they can no longer reproduce, and then they are discarded.
The real tragedy of puppy mills is that keeping dogs in such a way IS legal and such grievances often slip through the cracks of decent inspections and state/federal regulations. It is ONLY when a significant number of complaints have been received that the authorities are alerted and able to take legal action. Only YOU can stop the cruel cycle of puppy mills, by refusing to buy animals from stores that keep these kinds of breeders in business. You must also make local and national action groups aware that puppy mills are NOT acceptable, and support their efforts to prosecute commercial breeders.
For more information on how YOU can help, support local and national organizations fighting the commercial breeding industry. For a detailed list, click here.
If you have not visited our website, please do so! You can find all of this information and more at http://www.againstpuppymills.org
"Out of curiosity, how do they know they're coming from Puppy Mills? It doesn't say in here, and I would think that is an important piece of information. How can a consumer tell the difference?"
From our website: ABOUT PET STORES
Pet store owners, managers and salespersons are interested in your MONEY not your dog. They are businessmen/businesswomen and are often VERY SAVVY salespeople! They want you to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a puppy, and they will say ANYTHING to make it happen!
Have you ever been to a car dealership and felt pressured by the salesperson to buy a car you're not sure you want? Has a salesperson in the mall ever try to convince you into a sale with promises of discounts or warrenties? THESE PEOPLE MAKE MONEY BY CONVINCING YOU TO BUY SOMETHING WITHOUT ALL OF THE FACTS! They bank on the fact that you (and your family) will fall in love with a cute puppy and will use your emotions to suck you into a sale.
GET THE FACTS FIRST!
If you visit a pet store, you may hear the following myths from store owners and salespersons:
PET STORE MYTH #1:
"But that puppy is so cute! Shouldn't I save him/her from the store and give him/her a good home?"
FACT
It is a very sad fact that you are not saving a puppy by purchasing one from a pet store. Instead, you putting money into the pockets of puppy mill breeders and encouraging the practice of commercial dog breeding. Supply and demand fuel the puppy mill industry. By giving them your business and money, you are only perpetuating the cruel and inhumane puppy mill business.
PET STORE MYTH #2
"Our puppies come from breeders, not puppy mills."
FACT
The word "breeder" is not an exclusive term. Anyone who puts two dogs together and produces puppies is (technically) a breeder. Don't assume that a puppy from a "breeder" did not come from a puppy mill. A responsible breeder would not sell her puppies to a pet store; she would want to meet you in person.
PET STORE MYTH #3
"All our puppies come from USDA-inspected facilities, so we know they are not from puppy mills."
FACT
Being USDA-inspected does not mean that the business is not a puppy mill, any more than having a driver's license guarantees that the holder is a good driver. It is extremely rare for the USDA to revoke a commercial breeder's license or even fine a puppy mill that has repeated violations. There are hundreds of USDA-licensed puppy mills in operation that have long lists of violations and problems associated with them.
PET STORE MYTH #4
"We know our breeders are not puppy mills because we only deal with breeders we know."
FACT
If a pet store owner or manager tells you this, ask them for documentation that shows exactly where their breeders are located. In most cases, you will find out that the "known breeders" are in distant states. Their definition of "knowing" a breeder often just means that they have been receiving shipments of puppies from the same place repeatedly. The store owner or manager has never visited the breeder's facility or inspected their records.
PET STORE MYTH #5
"We don't sell puppies from local breeders because our state is not regulated, but (the state the puppies come from) is."
FACT
Commercial breeders in ALL states who sell wholesale to pet stores are required to be regulated by the USDA. Some states (such as Missouri and Pennsylvania) also require a state kennel license and state inspections. But this does not mean that puppies from these states are healthier. In fact, Missouri and Pennsylvania have two of the worst concentrations of puppy mills in the United States. This is due in part to the small number of qualified inspectors, infrequent inspections, and the fact that even facilities that are found to be substandard during the inspections process are rarely penalized.
PET STORE MYTH #6
"Our store's puppies are healthy—they come with a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian."
FACT
A health certificate only means that the puppy has had a very brief "wellness" examination by a veterinarian. This exam may not include testing for genetic disorders or diseases such as Giardia and Brucellosis, both of which are contagious to humans and frequently seen in puppy mill puppies.
PET STORE MYTH #7
"Our puppies come with a health guarantee."
FACT
Read "health guarantees" very carefully!! They are often designed to protect the store's interests and not your's. They can be full of exclusions and loopholes, and often require you to return a sick puppy to the store in order to get a refund. Furthermore, the store may use a "health certificate" as "proof" that the puppy was healthy when he or she left the store, leaving the buyer helpless if the puppy becomes sick just a few days after purchase.
PET STORE MYTH #8
"Consumers know our puppies are from good breeders because they are registered and come with papers."
FACT
"Purebred" registration papers (from one of many "kennel clubs" or other dog registries) are only a record of a puppy's parents and/or earlier generations. Commercial breeders regularly sell puppies with papers from prestigious sounding "kennel clubs." These papers do NOT ensure an individual puppy (or parent) is healthy, free of genetic defects, or raised in a humane and sanitary environment.
PET STORE MYTH #9
"We know this is a good breeder. We've never had a problem with any of their puppies."
FACT
Even facilities with mostly healthy puppies and clean inspection reports are keeping dozens or even hundreds of breeding dogs in cages for their entire lives. These breeding dogs live behind bars from birth until death. They never feel grass under their feet, enjoy a treat or toy, have loving human contact or receive proper veterinary care. They are bred repeatedly until they can no longer reproduce, and then they are discarded.
The real tragedy of puppy mills is that keeping dogs in such a way IS legal and such grievances often slip through the cracks of decent inspections and state/federal regulations. It is ONLY when a significant number of complaints have been received that the authorities are alerted and able to take legal action. Only YOU can stop the cruel cycle of puppy mills, by refusing to buy animals from stores that keep these kinds of breeders in business. You must also make local and national action groups aware that puppy mills are NOT acceptable, and support their efforts to prosecute commercial breeders.
For more information on how YOU can help, support local and national organizations fighting the commercial breeding industry. For a detailed list, click here.
If you have not visited our website, please do so! You can find all of this information and more at http://www.againstpuppymills.org
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
NEWS - Puppy Store Opens, Prompting a Protest - Ridgefield Press, January 26
Puppy store opens, prompting a protest
Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
A store selling puppies has opened in Branchville, prompting vehement opposition from dog lovers convinced — despite protestations otherwise from the owner — that it will serve as an outlet for “puppy mills” that breed dogs under inhumane conditions.
“I’m an animal lover all the way,” said Christine DiCarlo, who opened True Breeders two weeks ago at 43-47 Ethan Allen Highway, across Route 7 from the Branchville train station.
She said that she once worked in a store that sold puppy mill dogs, and insists that’s not what she will be doing.
“I’m a certified dog trainer. I’m a veterinary technician — I’m not certified any more. I’m a certified dog groomer,” she said.
“I worked for the pet store that was supplied by the puppy mills. I watched him, with the sick dogs — he let dogs die. It was awful. It made me physically ill. It was heart-wrenching,” she said.
“So, I decided, I’d open a puppy store.”
Her goal, she said, is simple.
“I’m not looking to sell show dogs. I want to sell happy, healthy pets that people can enjoy for 15 years — or 13 or 10, it depends on the breed,” she said.
Jane Stern and Leslie Davis Kohl — dog lovers who are both volunteers at the Georgetown Fire Department — have been organizing opposition to the opening of a puppy store in Branchville since December.
Their belief is that any retail store selling puppies will be an outlet for dogs bred at puppy mills, regardless of what the people operating it might say.
“The town of Ridgefield is home to many passionate dog owners, professional dog breeders, top dog show people whose dogs have won Best of Show at The Westminster Kennel Club,” Ms. Stern wrote to The Press.
“Ridgefield also boasts the rescue organization R.O.A.R. that operates a private no-kill shelter that provides dogs for adoption, and a spectacular dog park which is a favorite place to meet for both dogs and their owners. Can a town that is so ‘dog-centric’ welcome a pet shop that sells puppies? Many citizens of Ridgefield and the surrounding towns vote ‘no’...”
Ms. Kohl, a breeder of Tipperary boxers and French bulldogs, and Ms. Stern, an author who has written books about dog breeding and dog shows, organized a protest outside the True Breeders store last weekend and say more protests are planned.
They say people should get dogs directly from breeders, or from a shelter such as R.O.A.R. — not from a store.
“Only the public can stop the cruel cycle by refusing to buy these shipments. Join us to end this cruelty,” Ms. Kohl wrote this week.
In an interview in December, the two dog lovers did not offer specific evidence about dogs to be sold at the store due to open in Branchville — which wasn’t yet open — but spoke at length against the puppy-mill industry with its breeding farms in Pennsylvania’s Amish country and in the Midwest.
“The puppies are removed from the mother at about seven weeks of age, sold to brokers who pack them into crates and transport them in trucks — this transportation is often lacking in adequate food, water or ventilation,” Ms. Kohl said.
“Probably 50% of all shelter dogs are dogs that were dumped in shelters when they didn’t sell in pet stores,” Ms. Stern said. “...They can’t sell a dog over 10 or 12 weeks old — because it ain’t cute anymore.”
Reputable breeders, they said, will accept the return of puppies that don’t work out for families — they’re not breeding the dogs for profit.
“You don’t even break even,” Ms. Kohl said. “You lose money breeding dogs because you spend so much on the care of the dam and the puppies and veterinary bills that no responsible breeder makes money breeding dogs.”
Ms. DiCarlo of the True Breeders store did not disagree with the two women’s assessment of the puppy-mill business. She simply asserted that the store she has opened will not be a part of it.
“We’re just trying to make a good business with a good name,” she said. “...Our health guarantee will be the same as the breeder would give — not a pet store.”
She had a dozen puppies in the store at the start of this week, with prices upward of $1,100.
“I have two English mastiffs, two Chihuahuas — one being a teacup Chihuahua — two toy fox terriers, I have a Yorkie, a Pomeranian, a miniature schnauzer, a St. Bernard who’s totally adorable, and a Westie (West Highland white terrier), also one Rottweiler who’s a sweetheart of a dog,” she said.
“I’m actually getting them from Connecticut. All the puppies but the mastiffs are from Connecticut,” she said.
“Nothing is coming from a puppy mill, obviously, if I’m buying in Connecticut ... A lot of them are new breeders. I go down and I hand pick the puppies I want. They’re all raised in the house, including the St. Bernards.”
The dogs are in open-topped pens — not cages — she pointed out, with information on the pens about the breeders who provided the puppies.
“It says it right on the front where the dogs come from,” she said. “You have to have a certificate of origin that goes home with the dog. It tells where the dog has come from, the name of the breeder, what town they live in, the whole thing. They can talk to the breeder without any problem.”
Dr. Jordan R. Dann is the veterinarian working with the store.
“Dr. Dann’s our vet,” Ms. DiCarlo said. “With all puppies that are bought from our store you get five free obedience lessons, and you get a free exam from Dr. Dann.”
The obedience lessons will be provided in group sessions at the store.
“You get obedience lessons with the dogs. They’re all vet-checked before you get them. They’re on top quality food. They’re all sweethearts, they’re all well socialized,” Ms. DiCarlo said. “There’s not much else to say. People have to come in and see them.”
Written by Macklin Reid, Press Staff
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
A store selling puppies has opened in Branchville, prompting vehement opposition from dog lovers convinced — despite protestations otherwise from the owner — that it will serve as an outlet for “puppy mills” that breed dogs under inhumane conditions.
“I’m an animal lover all the way,” said Christine DiCarlo, who opened True Breeders two weeks ago at 43-47 Ethan Allen Highway, across Route 7 from the Branchville train station.
She said that she once worked in a store that sold puppy mill dogs, and insists that’s not what she will be doing.
“I’m a certified dog trainer. I’m a veterinary technician — I’m not certified any more. I’m a certified dog groomer,” she said.
“I worked for the pet store that was supplied by the puppy mills. I watched him, with the sick dogs — he let dogs die. It was awful. It made me physically ill. It was heart-wrenching,” she said.
“So, I decided, I’d open a puppy store.”
Her goal, she said, is simple.
“I’m not looking to sell show dogs. I want to sell happy, healthy pets that people can enjoy for 15 years — or 13 or 10, it depends on the breed,” she said.
Jane Stern and Leslie Davis Kohl — dog lovers who are both volunteers at the Georgetown Fire Department — have been organizing opposition to the opening of a puppy store in Branchville since December.
Their belief is that any retail store selling puppies will be an outlet for dogs bred at puppy mills, regardless of what the people operating it might say.
“The town of Ridgefield is home to many passionate dog owners, professional dog breeders, top dog show people whose dogs have won Best of Show at The Westminster Kennel Club,” Ms. Stern wrote to The Press.
“Ridgefield also boasts the rescue organization R.O.A.R. that operates a private no-kill shelter that provides dogs for adoption, and a spectacular dog park which is a favorite place to meet for both dogs and their owners. Can a town that is so ‘dog-centric’ welcome a pet shop that sells puppies? Many citizens of Ridgefield and the surrounding towns vote ‘no’...”
Ms. Kohl, a breeder of Tipperary boxers and French bulldogs, and Ms. Stern, an author who has written books about dog breeding and dog shows, organized a protest outside the True Breeders store last weekend and say more protests are planned.
They say people should get dogs directly from breeders, or from a shelter such as R.O.A.R. — not from a store.
“Only the public can stop the cruel cycle by refusing to buy these shipments. Join us to end this cruelty,” Ms. Kohl wrote this week.
In an interview in December, the two dog lovers did not offer specific evidence about dogs to be sold at the store due to open in Branchville — which wasn’t yet open — but spoke at length against the puppy-mill industry with its breeding farms in Pennsylvania’s Amish country and in the Midwest.
“The puppies are removed from the mother at about seven weeks of age, sold to brokers who pack them into crates and transport them in trucks — this transportation is often lacking in adequate food, water or ventilation,” Ms. Kohl said.
“Probably 50% of all shelter dogs are dogs that were dumped in shelters when they didn’t sell in pet stores,” Ms. Stern said. “...They can’t sell a dog over 10 or 12 weeks old — because it ain’t cute anymore.”
Reputable breeders, they said, will accept the return of puppies that don’t work out for families — they’re not breeding the dogs for profit.
“You don’t even break even,” Ms. Kohl said. “You lose money breeding dogs because you spend so much on the care of the dam and the puppies and veterinary bills that no responsible breeder makes money breeding dogs.”
Ms. DiCarlo of the True Breeders store did not disagree with the two women’s assessment of the puppy-mill business. She simply asserted that the store she has opened will not be a part of it.
“We’re just trying to make a good business with a good name,” she said. “...Our health guarantee will be the same as the breeder would give — not a pet store.”
She had a dozen puppies in the store at the start of this week, with prices upward of $1,100.
“I have two English mastiffs, two Chihuahuas — one being a teacup Chihuahua — two toy fox terriers, I have a Yorkie, a Pomeranian, a miniature schnauzer, a St. Bernard who’s totally adorable, and a Westie (West Highland white terrier), also one Rottweiler who’s a sweetheart of a dog,” she said.
“I’m actually getting them from Connecticut. All the puppies but the mastiffs are from Connecticut,” she said.
“Nothing is coming from a puppy mill, obviously, if I’m buying in Connecticut ... A lot of them are new breeders. I go down and I hand pick the puppies I want. They’re all raised in the house, including the St. Bernards.”
The dogs are in open-topped pens — not cages — she pointed out, with information on the pens about the breeders who provided the puppies.
“It says it right on the front where the dogs come from,” she said. “You have to have a certificate of origin that goes home with the dog. It tells where the dog has come from, the name of the breeder, what town they live in, the whole thing. They can talk to the breeder without any problem.”
Dr. Jordan R. Dann is the veterinarian working with the store.
“Dr. Dann’s our vet,” Ms. DiCarlo said. “With all puppies that are bought from our store you get five free obedience lessons, and you get a free exam from Dr. Dann.”
The obedience lessons will be provided in group sessions at the store.
“You get obedience lessons with the dogs. They’re all vet-checked before you get them. They’re on top quality food. They’re all sweethearts, they’re all well socialized,” Ms. DiCarlo said. “There’s not much else to say. People have to come in and see them.”
Monday, January 25, 2010
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, January 25
Puppy store lacks documents
Letters to the Editor
I attended a meeting the first selectman had with True Breeder store owner, Christine DiCarlo. It was to learn from where her puppies would come, and other particulars. It was clearly stated that no one at the meeting had the desire, intent nor standing to interfere with the legitimate right to run the business and lease the property. Ms. DiCarlo said all the puppies would come from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. She would personally pick them up from breeders she knew.
On a visit to the place just after opening, and, after the meeting, all four puppies there came from an Oklahoma puppy mill which, in April '09, had its recognition by the AKC revoked. Very rare - the AKC seems to "recognize" any breeder with a pulse. So, to have such recognition rescinded, the place must have been worse than awful.
Ms. DiCarlo was unable to produce any documentation for registration of either of the English mastiff puppies, nor for the Miniature Doxy on premises. For the Doxy she said she had documentation but could not produce it. Nor could she produce sign-off by the state, which she claimed had just been there and said she was in compliance with the Oct. 1, 2009 statute requiring, within 10 feet of their housing, data as to name, location and contact information for the breeder from which the puppies came. She clearly was not in compliance. She claimed, too, that the puppies not AKC registered were "CKC" registered, whatever that is, but could produce no documentation.
In 25 years as a New York state special agent for the SPCA, I have never found a puppy store, the stock of which did not come from a puppy mill. True Breeders seems to be true to that finding.
John Katz
Ridgfield, Jan. 25
Letters to the Editor
I attended a meeting the first selectman had with True Breeder store owner, Christine DiCarlo. It was to learn from where her puppies would come, and other particulars. It was clearly stated that no one at the meeting had the desire, intent nor standing to interfere with the legitimate right to run the business and lease the property. Ms. DiCarlo said all the puppies would come from New York, New Jersey or Connecticut. She would personally pick them up from breeders she knew.
On a visit to the place just after opening, and, after the meeting, all four puppies there came from an Oklahoma puppy mill which, in April '09, had its recognition by the AKC revoked. Very rare - the AKC seems to "recognize" any breeder with a pulse. So, to have such recognition rescinded, the place must have been worse than awful.
Ms. DiCarlo was unable to produce any documentation for registration of either of the English mastiff puppies, nor for the Miniature Doxy on premises. For the Doxy she said she had documentation but could not produce it. Nor could she produce sign-off by the state, which she claimed had just been there and said she was in compliance with the Oct. 1, 2009 statute requiring, within 10 feet of their housing, data as to name, location and contact information for the breeder from which the puppies came. She clearly was not in compliance. She claimed, too, that the puppies not AKC registered were "CKC" registered, whatever that is, but could produce no documentation.
In 25 years as a New York state special agent for the SPCA, I have never found a puppy store, the stock of which did not come from a puppy mill. True Breeders seems to be true to that finding.
John Katz
Ridgfield, Jan. 25
NEWS - Redding Pilot, January 25
Learn more about protest at new puppy store
Letters to the Editor
To the Editor:
The Pilot hasn’t reported on a local controversy of interest to dog lovers, probably because it’s being played out on Route 7 in Branchville. The puppy store that recently opened there was easy to find on Saturday because of the placard-waving protesters parading outside, with support from passing motorists. With so many local shelter dogs up for adoption, it’s hard to believe people will pay well over $1,000 for a puppy from a store. But because they will, a dark market has developed, including the puppy mills that were the focus of the protest.
The Branchville store says their supply comes mostly from Connecticut, as if that made it better. The co-owner’s response to the protesters included being overheard to yell “get the &%*$ out of my face” followed by a sneering, “I’ll deny I said that.”
More protests are planned, and information can be found at www.againstpuppymills.org. Come and see what the fuss is about.
Ok, we’re biased, having adopted Rosie from a family that bought her from a local mall store and apparently couldn’t deal with her mistakes; she came from a Kansas puppy mill. Marigold was rescued in Alabama, where she was so drained and sick that most of the puppies she was forced to have died. Finnegan was rescued from a Tennessee kill-shelter, and is still haunted by whatever traumatized him. Fiona had lived much of her previous life in an airline carry-on box. Binky came from under cars on a busy highway. Their many predecessors also had come from traumatic situations, but all found a happy place in our pack and fill our home with immeasurable love. Try adoption first.
Mia and Bill Rossiter
Redding, Jan. 25
Letters to the Editor
To the Editor:
The Pilot hasn’t reported on a local controversy of interest to dog lovers, probably because it’s being played out on Route 7 in Branchville. The puppy store that recently opened there was easy to find on Saturday because of the placard-waving protesters parading outside, with support from passing motorists. With so many local shelter dogs up for adoption, it’s hard to believe people will pay well over $1,000 for a puppy from a store. But because they will, a dark market has developed, including the puppy mills that were the focus of the protest.
The Branchville store says their supply comes mostly from Connecticut, as if that made it better. The co-owner’s response to the protesters included being overheard to yell “get the &%*$ out of my face” followed by a sneering, “I’ll deny I said that.”
More protests are planned, and information can be found at www.againstpuppymills.org. Come and see what the fuss is about.
Ok, we’re biased, having adopted Rosie from a family that bought her from a local mall store and apparently couldn’t deal with her mistakes; she came from a Kansas puppy mill. Marigold was rescued in Alabama, where she was so drained and sick that most of the puppies she was forced to have died. Finnegan was rescued from a Tennessee kill-shelter, and is still haunted by whatever traumatized him. Fiona had lived much of her previous life in an airline carry-on box. Binky came from under cars on a busy highway. Their many predecessors also had come from traumatic situations, but all found a happy place in our pack and fill our home with immeasurable love. Try adoption first.
Mia and Bill Rossiter
Redding, Jan. 25
Friday, January 22, 2010
NEWS - Ridgefield Press, January 22
Don’t buy puppies from a pet store
Letters to the Editor
I am saddened by the uninformed coverage of the protest directed at True Breeders Pet Shop in Ridgefield. Despite the hour long interview Leslie Kohl and I gave Mr. Reid and the ream of information about the pet shop/puppy mill connection, The Ridgefield Press simply took the word of the store’s owners about where the puppies came from without any investigation about the truth of their statement.
Since the article did not mention any of the impeccable sources we provided Mr. Reid with, perhaps you will print a snippet here.
1. The Humane Society of America has asked all pet shop owners in Fairfield County to sign a pledge that they will not sell puppies to “prove it is not necessary to support the cruel puppy mill trade to run a pet shop.”
2. On their Web site, the ASPCA boldly states, “Do not buy a puppy from a pet store, in fact, do not buy a puppy from any place that does not let you meet the mother dog.”
3. From Friends of Animals: “Virtually all of the puppies sold in pet shops come from puppy mills.”
4. From North Shore Animal League: “One hundred percent of puppies sold in pet shops come from puppy mills.”
In closing, True Breeders say their dogs are from Connecticut, but they do not say our state has puppy mills in it as do Pennsylvania and Missouri and many more. From CNN’s report in 1997 of a truck on I-84 crammed with 100 dead and dying puppies, to last month’s news that a puppy mill in Milford was closed down, it happens here, too. It would be nice if we dog lovers could change the circumstances for puppies everywhere, but at least the compassionate citizens of Ridgefield can say, “Not in my town”!
Jane Stern, Ridgefield, Jan. 22
Letters to the Editor
I am saddened by the uninformed coverage of the protest directed at True Breeders Pet Shop in Ridgefield. Despite the hour long interview Leslie Kohl and I gave Mr. Reid and the ream of information about the pet shop/puppy mill connection, The Ridgefield Press simply took the word of the store’s owners about where the puppies came from without any investigation about the truth of their statement.
Since the article did not mention any of the impeccable sources we provided Mr. Reid with, perhaps you will print a snippet here.
1. The Humane Society of America has asked all pet shop owners in Fairfield County to sign a pledge that they will not sell puppies to “prove it is not necessary to support the cruel puppy mill trade to run a pet shop.”
2. On their Web site, the ASPCA boldly states, “Do not buy a puppy from a pet store, in fact, do not buy a puppy from any place that does not let you meet the mother dog.”
3. From Friends of Animals: “Virtually all of the puppies sold in pet shops come from puppy mills.”
4. From North Shore Animal League: “One hundred percent of puppies sold in pet shops come from puppy mills.”
In closing, True Breeders say their dogs are from Connecticut, but they do not say our state has puppy mills in it as do Pennsylvania and Missouri and many more. From CNN’s report in 1997 of a truck on I-84 crammed with 100 dead and dying puppies, to last month’s news that a puppy mill in Milford was closed down, it happens here, too. It would be nice if we dog lovers could change the circumstances for puppies everywhere, but at least the compassionate citizens of Ridgefield can say, “Not in my town”!
Jane Stern, Ridgefield, Jan. 22
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Our First Protest!!!!!
OUR FIRST PROTEST!!
Saturday, January 16th was our first protest of True Breeders in Ridgefield!!
True Breeders were obviously not happy to have us there, but thanks to the advice and guidance of the Ridgefield Police Department, we held a successful and legal protest! We had about a ½ dozen members protesting from 12noon until 3:30pm. The weather was good for a January afternoon, and the honks and support from passersby kept everyone warm inside!
Our group members stood on both the north and southbound sides of Route 7 and held signs in protest of puppy mills. Several pedestrians and drivers stopped to ask for information and were given our 2 brochures (one about puppy mill and pet store “realities” and the other about the new CT Lemon Law).
To our knowledge, no puppies were purchased while the protest was occurring, and unfortunately a few people (typically families with children) did enter the store. Despite the occasional wind and unkind comments from the True Breeders staff, it was a great afternoon and very successful!!
MANY THANKS to EVERYONE who came to protest, helped make signs, print/copy fliers and show support! Photos coming soon! PLEASE JOIN US NEXT WEEKEND! Saturday, Jan 23rd, from 12noon – 4pm.
WEBSITE UPDATE
Our website has become very popular! We have had 216 hits to our home page since the site launch last week, including 88 hits YESTERDAY thanks to our protesters!!
Please visit our site and browse around – if you have any questions, comments, edits, or ideas, please email info@againstpuppymills.org and share! Also, our blog is up and running! Please email any updates or information and tell your friends to check us out!!
WHAT’S NEW?
We are in the process of ordering items to show support – bumper stickers, hats, t-shirts, etc. They will hopefully be available online soon! We have an opportunity to order “MY DOG DIGS” stickers (http://diguntilyoufindit.com) so if you have an idea for our sticker, PLEASE SHARE! Let’s all show support and help stop the sale of puppy mill puppies in Ridgefield!
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION!
Saturday, January 16th was our first protest of True Breeders in Ridgefield!!
True Breeders were obviously not happy to have us there, but thanks to the advice and guidance of the Ridgefield Police Department, we held a successful and legal protest! We had about a ½ dozen members protesting from 12noon until 3:30pm. The weather was good for a January afternoon, and the honks and support from passersby kept everyone warm inside!
Our group members stood on both the north and southbound sides of Route 7 and held signs in protest of puppy mills. Several pedestrians and drivers stopped to ask for information and were given our 2 brochures (one about puppy mill and pet store “realities” and the other about the new CT Lemon Law).
To our knowledge, no puppies were purchased while the protest was occurring, and unfortunately a few people (typically families with children) did enter the store. Despite the occasional wind and unkind comments from the True Breeders staff, it was a great afternoon and very successful!!
MANY THANKS to EVERYONE who came to protest, helped make signs, print/copy fliers and show support! Photos coming soon! PLEASE JOIN US NEXT WEEKEND! Saturday, Jan 23rd, from 12noon – 4pm.
WEBSITE UPDATE
Our website has become very popular! We have had 216 hits to our home page since the site launch last week, including 88 hits YESTERDAY thanks to our protesters!!
Please visit our site and browse around – if you have any questions, comments, edits, or ideas, please email info@againstpuppymills.org and share! Also, our blog is up and running! Please email any updates or information and tell your friends to check us out!!
WHAT’S NEW?
We are in the process of ordering items to show support – bumper stickers, hats, t-shirts, etc. They will hopefully be available online soon! We have an opportunity to order “MY DOG DIGS” stickers (http://diguntilyoufindit.com) so if you have an idea for our sticker, PLEASE SHARE! Let’s all show support and help stop the sale of puppy mill puppies in Ridgefield!
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION!
Friday, January 15, 2010
PROTEST TOMORROW!
TRUE BREEDERS STORE PROTEST TOMORROW!
Saturday, January 16, 2010
TIME: 11am - 3pm
LOCATION: In front of/across street from Georgetown Travel Agency
41 Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7)
Ridgefield, CT 06877-6206
PARKING:
Please park in the commuter lot of the Branchville Train Station. It is about a 100 yards from the store on the right hand side. Please do NOT park in front of the store or in the store lot.
PLEASE USE CAUTION WALKING FROM THE TRAIN STATION TO THE PROTEST SITE! IT IS ONLY A FEW YARDS, BUT ROUTE 7 CAN BE A BUSY INTERSECTION.
Visit www.againstpuppymills.org for information, or email us info@againstpuppymills.org
Saturday, January 16, 2010
TIME: 11am - 3pm
LOCATION: In front of/across street from Georgetown Travel Agency
41 Ethan Allen Highway (Route 7)
Ridgefield, CT 06877-6206
PARKING:
Please park in the commuter lot of the Branchville Train Station. It is about a 100 yards from the store on the right hand side. Please do NOT park in front of the store or in the store lot.
PLEASE USE CAUTION WALKING FROM THE TRAIN STATION TO THE PROTEST SITE! IT IS ONLY A FEW YARDS, BUT ROUTE 7 CAN BE A BUSY INTERSECTION.
Visit www.againstpuppymills.org for information, or email us info@againstpuppymills.org
Sunday, January 10, 2010
BREEDERS SUSPENDED BY AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB
2 of the puppies for sale in True Breeders are "English mastiffs" - their store identification card states they were bred by Stephen and Teresa Holsey in Oklahoma (see previous post about Oklahoma breeders!!!)
The Holsey's were fined and suspended in 2009 by the American Kennel Club Management Disciplinary Committee. On April 13, 2009, the Holsey's were fined $2500 for:
- non-compliance with AKC record keeping and dog identification
- non-compliance with the AKC’s Care and Conditions Policy (which includes unacceptable conditions, dogs and/or facility)
Their AKC privileges were suspended for 5 years (effective April 13, 2009 through April 13, 2014)
In addition to Mastiffs, the Holsey's are listed by the AKC as "breeders" of Wire Fox Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers.
NOTICE:
The AKC's Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended the following individuals from all AKC privileges for five years, effective April 13, 2009, and imposed a $2500 fine for non-compliance with AKC's record keeping and dog identification requirements, and non-compliance with the AKC's Care and Conditions Policy (unacceptable conditions, dogs and/or facility:
Mr. Steve Hosley (Tulsa, OK) Mastiff
Ms. Teresa Holsey (Tulsa, OK) Wire Fox Terrier, Mastiff and Miniature Schnauzer
You can read the entire AKC suspension report here http://www.akc.org/pdfs/about/secretary_page/0509.pdf
Teresa Holsey ALSO sells her dogs on the internet (perhaps to individuals OR puppy stores??) and has a listing for a mastiff here
http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_adoptions.cfm/id/19067
MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION BEFORE BUYING A PUPPY FROM A PET STORE!!!!
The Holsey's were fined and suspended in 2009 by the American Kennel Club Management Disciplinary Committee. On April 13, 2009, the Holsey's were fined $2500 for:
- non-compliance with AKC record keeping and dog identification
- non-compliance with the AKC’s Care and Conditions Policy (which includes unacceptable conditions, dogs and/or facility)
Their AKC privileges were suspended for 5 years (effective April 13, 2009 through April 13, 2014)
In addition to Mastiffs, the Holsey's are listed by the AKC as "breeders" of Wire Fox Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers.
NOTICE:
The AKC's Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended the following individuals from all AKC privileges for five years, effective April 13, 2009, and imposed a $2500 fine for non-compliance with AKC's record keeping and dog identification requirements, and non-compliance with the AKC's Care and Conditions Policy (unacceptable conditions, dogs and/or facility:
Mr. Steve Hosley (Tulsa, OK) Mastiff
Ms. Teresa Holsey (Tulsa, OK) Wire Fox Terrier, Mastiff and Miniature Schnauzer
You can read the entire AKC suspension report here http://www.akc.org/pdfs/about/secretary_page/0509.pdf
Teresa Holsey ALSO sells her dogs on the internet (perhaps to individuals OR puppy stores??) and has a listing for a mastiff here
http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_adoptions.cfm/id/19067
MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION BEFORE BUYING A PUPPY FROM A PET STORE!!!!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Ridgefield Store Opening
A new pet store opened in Ridgefield, CT this week - True Breeders, located on Rt 7 near the Branchville train station.
There are currently 5 puppies available for sale in the store. The information cards on display say the puppies are from 2 different breeders - one located in Bridgeport, CT and the other in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma is one of several midwest states known to have puppy mills - please CLICK HERE to read about puppy mills in that state.
Did you know?
Before you visit ANY pet store, learn about where those dogs come from! Please visit our site for more information here
There are currently 5 puppies available for sale in the store. The information cards on display say the puppies are from 2 different breeders - one located in Bridgeport, CT and the other in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma is one of several midwest states known to have puppy mills - please CLICK HERE to read about puppy mills in that state.
Did you know?
- 12.3% of all USDA licensed dog dealers in the US are located in Oklahoma
- The number of licensed facilities in our state has increased by over 70% since 2000
- Of all states with a high volume of puppy producers, only Oklahoma and Arkansas have no state regulations (Oklahoma has roughly double the number of facilities as in Arkansas)
- USDA regulations mandate that a dog have its’ length plus six inches times, that same length, for cage space. They must have six inches of headroom. Food is only mandatory one time per day and water twice a day, no matter what the outdoor temperature is. (Source: http://www.okpuppymilltruth.org)
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