Ohio Dog Auctions: Distribution Channel for Puppy-Mill Cruelty
On December 22, 2011, the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions announced that 940 passionate and tireless volunteer Petition Circulators raised voters’ awareness of the Ohio Dog Auctions Act (initiated statute) and collected 154,082 signatures from across all 88 Ohio counties.
“The opposition (stakeholders who profit from Ohio dog auctions and puppy mill breeding) are betting that we (as a humane community) will become discouraged and defeated by the obstacles to meeting our goal.
“The Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions remains steadfast in its commitment to send a strong message to state legislators that dog auctions serve as a major distribution channel for buyers and sellers from 15 states, many of whom have long standing repeated violations of the Animal Welfare Act and/or have been convicted of animal cruelty.” – Committee for the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions
The Coalition reminds us of the cruel existence of puppy-mill dogs and the emotional driving force generated by such candid and heart-wrenching admissions as that of a breeder (who asked not to be identified) in a 2006 interview with Channel 4 Action News regarding dogs placed on consignment at Ohio dog auctions:
"There was one puppy in the auction when they said all of her pups died. Is that common?" Ingram asked. "Yes. It's very common," the breeder said. "They're fearful, and a lot of times, they will eat their babies. It's very common."
“As Ohio voters and taxpayers, we are committed to supporting a 2012 ballot initiative to ban these events from our community,” declares Mary O’Connor-Shaver of Columbus Top Dogs.
The Coalition motto is: "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." (Henry Ford)
A suggested motto for all of us: No companion animal in human care should feel so threatened and fearful for the future of its offspring that it eats them as its only way to protect them from suffering.
SUPPORT FOR THE OHIO DOG AUCTIONS ACT INITIATIVE
Support for this ballot initiative has often come from unexpected sources, as allies stepped forward in local media, Ohio Farm Bureau members, dog fanciers, civic leaders and elected officials and helped volunteers coordinate over 250 signature gathering events.
Here’s the endorsement and support from noted author and lecturer, Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, selected as 2011 Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year. Click here to read Dr. Kay’s article, Spot Speaks, Dog Auctions
Dr. Kay takes us directly into the dog auction in words and photos that lend stark reality to the tragedy that compels Mary O’Connor-Shaver and the Coalition, as she writes:
“In case you are unfamiliar with dog auctions let me fill you in. Envision rooms filled floor to ceiling with crates and cages, each housing dogs whose sole purpose in life is to make puppies…There are purebreds of multiple varieties although some might not be recognizable as such given their lack of health care and horrifically overgrown hair coats…One would think these rooms filled with dogs would be chaotic and noisy. In fact the quiet is eerie; these are dogs with broken spirits- too scared to vocally protest and too disassociated from their miserable existences to invite attention from the humans peering into their cages…The dogs bringing the highest prices will be those with proven fertility records; already pregnant bitches are highly valued.”
Here’s important coverage of the 2011 Ohio Companion Animal Lobby Day. Click here to read the NBC4i news article, Animal Advocates Lobby Bills Against Animal Cruelty
BANNING THE OHIO DOG AUCTIONS
Out of the total 154,082 signatures collected from registered Ohio voters, a minimum of 115,570 signatures (67%) must certified by the Secretary of State (expected by January 6.)
Once the requisite signatures are certified, the Ohio Dog Auctions Act will be presented to the Ohio General Assembly in 2012. Once introduced, Senators and State Representatives have four months to act on the proposed law.
If the Ohio General Assembly fails to pass the Ohio Dog Auctions Act, “CBODA will move forward with plans to present the initiated statute to voters during the November General Election,” declares Mary O’Connor-Shaver.
If you want to add your voice and stay informed with timely updates on issues and campaigns addressing Ohio dog auctions, the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions invites new members to the Ohio Voters Against Puppy Mills and Dog Auctions group on Facebook. For more information, click here.
Sources:
http://www.ColumbusTopDogs.com
http://www.BanOhioDogAuctions.com
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Following the close of a very successful 2011 Ohio Companion Animal Lobby Day in Columbus, many individuals have contacted us regarding the following news release issued on April 6 from Columbus Dog Connection:
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***OHIO DOG AUCTION HAS CLOSED*** We are pleased to annouce that the Buckeye Dog Auction has closed. We spoke directly with Harold Neuhart on April 6, 2011 and he confirmed there will no longer be dog auctions in Holmes Co Ohio.
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Although this decision was actually announced to the Coalition back in February (that Mr. Neuhart would conduct the last Ohio Dog Auction on April 2), based on feedback received from very reliable sources in Holmes and surrounding counties, the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions does not believe this marks the end of dog auctions in Ohio! Quite the contrary, Mr. Neuhart has not released any statements to the media confirming what his plans will be for the future or any additional information concerning the status of these sales.
The Coalition has received confirmation that Mr. Neuhart's decision was in large part due to the extensive media coverage received from the Coalition's ballot initiative campaign, in particular the television segments aired by WKRC Local 12 (Cincinnati) and WTOV 9 (all of which can be viewed on the Media Releases page of www.BanOhioDogAuctions.com), and the peaceful rallies which have taken place in Millersburg and Charm (heart of Amish country) over the past year.
It is our firm belief that until our legislators truly understand and appreciate the cruel aspect - not to mention the corruption and consumer fraud - connected with "dealing dogs", Ohio dog auctions will continue to generate millions of dollars for their breeders and distributors.
And one would think that Best Friends would support such legislation, Wrong!!! See what Best Fiends has to say on this link. http://www.workingtohelpanimalstodaytomorrow.blogspot.com/2011/12/brenda-barnette-breeding-and-best.html
You think that "No Kill" stands for stopping cruelty in puppy mills, think again. "No Kill" stood against the people in Missouri when they voted in legislation to stop puppy mill cruelty. "No Kill" and the followers are puppets of the breeding community and Best Fiends has sold out to the breeders.
No Born Yesterday, Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS) has been a great ally to the Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions (CBODA)! Since 2009, their Staff Writers have promoted our 2012 ballot campaign through multiple articles on the Best Friends Ohio Network. We applaud their support of our legislative efforts to address puppy mills in Ohio!
The 'disclaimer' you reference is noted at the bottom of all articles written on legislative efforts that are not receiving funding from BFAS:
**Best Friends Animal Society has not taken a position of support or opposition to this piece of legislation.
CBODA has not received any financial support from the traditional big three - HSUS, ASPCA or BFAS.
Lots of difference between lip service and money to help in the fight, isn't there? Why aren't they funding?
We don't consider BFAS's support 'lip service' (much of what they have shared is confidential and has assisted us in various aspects of our campaign). Many of our volunteer petitioners are HUGE supporters of/volunteers with BFAS!
CBODA's decision to not accept funding is by design. Formed in 2009, CBODA is a citizen-driven, community-based, bipartisan Ohio coalition that has come together to address Ohio puppy mill dog auctions through its 2012 ballot initiative, Ohio Dog Auctions Act. Our supporters include a diverse section of voters from across Ohio, including but not limited to a broad range of dog enthusiasts, veterinarians, breeders, animal care and welfare organizations, animal control representatives, judges, attorneys and government employees who understand state governance.
From the beginning, our preference has been to rely solely on the generosity of individuals and groups, versus the national animal advocacy organizations.
Oh boy, you have said a mouthful, especially when you read between the lines here.
NotBornYesterday, not sure what you're implying but our goal is (and has been from Day 1) to keep CBODA a citizen-driven, community-based, bipartisan Ohio coalition. Best Friends has been very helpful to our campaign and animal causes in general, so we have nothing bad to say about them. It's unfortunate you feel differently.
Everyone who wants information on this and what is really happening should go to those sites listed. They will open your eyes. There is someone writing comments who has an economic interest making it seem that a commercial breeder/puppy-mill buying the auction means it will just fold up and go away. Duh? Read about it for yourself. As much money as there is in peddling these poor little pups, are we supposed to believe the brokers will just fold up their tents and leave if this ban isn't passed? Don't be deceived.
Benton, the primary goal in drafting the Ohio Dog Auctions Act was to compliment five companion animal bills currently pending in the 129th Ohio General Assembly (HB 25, HB 108-Nitro's Law, HB 138, HB 289/SB 191 and HB 290) which would address additional aspects of commercial dog breeding and ownership.
Ohio dog auctions serve as a major distribution channel by which puppy mill breeders (particularly those like Kathy Jo Bauck of MN and Lanzie "Junior" Horton of OH, formerly of VA; both of whom have been convicted of animal cruelty) can buy and sell breeding dogs. It's very much like fighting the drug wars. Ideally, everyone wants to capture, prosecute and convict the drug lords who produce the product, and one way in which you can do that is to stangle the distribution channels (e.g. the street dealers) by which the drugs flood the marketplace.
As part of our campaign, we're also striving very hard to include public awareness of dog auctions and their relationship to puppy mill breeders and pet overpopulation, as well as recommendations for additional solutions that would help eliminate the animal cruelty and consumer fraud associated with puppy mill breeding.
This is another situation where a proposed solution is trying to find a cause. And no, there is no economic interest in my comments. If there are no dog auctions in Ohio, what is the reason for all the interest in creating a ban? Perhaps we should have a ban against flying saucers? It would make as much sense. Perhaps the hullabaloo is simply to gain another headline?