Comments on: Hate, fear and the politics of puppy-mills

By: Christie Keith

Christie Keith — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 00:36:29 +0000

I certainly don’t want to eliminate the good breeders. As I think is clear in my comments in this thread, I want to develop a positive, proactive, and VERY STRONG message that the best place to obtain a family pet is from a family home — small, home-based breeders are the best source for companion dogs. Period.

It’s true I am not a big proponent of social engineering through the legislative process, and I would like to see puppy mills/high volume breeders and all pet retailers driven out of business because people stop wanting to buy mass-produced dogs rather then by outlawing what they do, because these types of micro-managing laws both offend my belief in personal liberty and don’t work. But I believe that Gina and I see eye to eye on that as we do on most issues related to dog breeding.

Newsflash: Protesting, demonstrating, and writing about what we believe in and think people should do, and why, is freedom in action, not taking someone’s rights away. My right to express myself, Gina’s to demonstrate, are far more bedrock principles of American values and, for that matter, LIBERTARIANISM ITSELF, than the right to breed dogs. So it completely bewilders me to see people urge us to be silent in the name of civil liberties and freedom.

Do you people even hear yourselves?

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 03:44:21 +0000

When did we get removed from the embrace of “North America??” lol… thanks for jumping on that, Lis - I haven’t been around much.

Petland Canada belongs to Petland US - I must admit to being a bit confused as to why this connection was not made. Currently the assertion being made here in Canada is that the puppy mill connection is a US issue - which we of course know is untrue.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:36:11 +0000

Carol, go back to the echo chamber, and if you’d like to know why, read up thread. You’re failing to understand what I wrote, failing to understand what I do and do not support, and parroting more of those prefab talking points.

I’m sure Christie appreciates you not having a clue as to what she has written, either, but I’ll leave those clarifications to her.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:30:48 +0000

Gina recommends that we be sure who we support. Then she supports H$U$, which is working to eliminate not only what they’ve dubbed “puppy mills” (an Animal Rights-coined term used to describe ALL breeders), but to eliminate ALL purebred breeding as well. Christie understands that, though there indeed ARE some substandard breeders, eliminating the good ones along with them is not going to do the animals any favours.
Gina, your AR slip is showing. And thank yous to Christie for seeing the facts.

By: MisterPeabody

MisterPeabody — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:49:43 +0000

What a great article. I think this is one of the most sensible articles I’ve read on the topic of puppy mills.

I agree, typical legislation does not effectively address the issue of puppy mills. Laws often make it more difficult for responsible breeders and responsible pet owners while doing little to stop puppy mills and pet stores that import and sell them.

I’ve recently started participating in dog shows, and I adamantly oppose puppy mills and the AKC registration of dogs from puppy mills. I’d happily pay higher show fees if it helped to put even one puppy mill out of business.

By: Sarah@HSUS

Sarah@HSUS — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:09:18 +0000

Hi Lis, it was specific to the United States.

By: Lis

Lis — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:30:09 +0000

Just saw your comment and wanted to let you know that the HSUS investigation focused on North America and did not include Canada

?????

Canada is in North America, last I checked—or did your fingers betray and type “North America” when you meant “United States” ?

By: Sarah@HSUS

Sarah@HSUS — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:00:09 +0000

Hi Kim,
Just saw your comment and wanted to let you know that the HSUS investigation focused on North America and did not include Canada. People in North America can check our website http://www.stoppuppymills.org for more information, thanks!

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:25:30 +0000

Thank you both for your well-thought-out and truly significant contributions to the discussion. You forgot to mention that I’m fat and stupid, which does seem to be a fairly common claim made in the weekend’s higher than normal volume of hate mail.

I do think it’s interesting that there apparently are more than a few people who consider the owning of pets to be a civil right that should not be infringed on in any way whatsoever — not even if you’re a puppy-miller — but who don’t see the value of freedom of speech or association.

By: Ginger

Ginger — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:10:45 +0000

http://bluedogstate.blogspot.com/