Forum Index
»
Off-Topic
How Do I Shut Down a Puppy Mill?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| About a year ago we purchased a dog from a "breeder" in Fairfax. While we adore the dog, it has become clear that we were sold something that the dog is not. We spent a lot of money on a dog we were told was a purebred (we received papers) and that even though the father was small, that this dog would reach the minimum weight range for dogs of its breed. Instead, we have a dog that is only 66% of the minimum weight, fragile and sickly. We have spent thousands of dollars on medical treatment for obscure and rare medical problems. I have been in touch with the AKC and the VA Dept of Consumer Affairs and it seems that there is nothing I can do to revoke the designation of their animals as AKC purebreds and in terms of legal options, VA puppy lemon laws are not consumer friendly and I would have a difficult time proving that the "breeder" made a knowing misrepresentation. So my query is this -- does anyone know of any other options I have, or any way I can try to shut down this operation so that other people do not fall into the same circumstance as we have? Thanks. |
HrCreuzi
Member Offline
Member Offline
| Contact the ASPCA and ask them to check on it. Explain what you've encountered and they may go look into it. If they aren't able to do anything they should be able to direct you to other resources. |
LRP
Member Offline
Member Offline
| I'm sorry for your situation, but remember that purebred does not equal perfect. Purebreds can often have medical problems, remember that maintaining a breed requires inbreeding. Nothing in your post goes to show that you dealt with a 'puppy mill', only that the dog you were sold has medical issues. Again, I am sorry but maybe your energy is better spent caring for your dog. |
Anonymous
|
What is the resolution you are seeking? It's not clear from your post if you want a pound of flesh from the breeder (ie, "shutting them down"), if you want the best for the poor puppies who are being bred en masse (in which case I think you would've reported the breeder without buying the puppy from them in the first place) or if you want the breeder to cover your expenses.
Your solution varies based on the outcome you seek. If you want the breeder to reimburse you for time and trouble, call him/her and tell them you plan to call the ABC local news station about your trouble if they can't help you. I'd guess they'll capitulate to avoid the bad press. If you want to shut them down because you don't want other people or puppies to suffer, call the ASPCA and/or the ABC local news affiliate and don't bother to call the breeder in advance. However, don't be surprised if the SPCA asks why the delay in reporting the puppy mill, instead of at the time you got the puppy. It sounds like you would be happy if the breeder reimbursed your medical expenses and refunded the purchase price of your dog. Just my $0.02 worth... |
Anonymous
|
It is extremely difficult to shut down these operations. You will have to do more than just visit the ASPCA / county shelter. You'll have to have "proof" that the operation is illegal (unethical, sadly, is not enough). I'm sorry for your situation and the poor doggy. You can try to get some reimbursement from the breeder but unless you had a contract for those expenses or can prove the breeder misled you in some way, it will be difficult.
Going forward, folks who insist on using breeders to get a dog should go to hsus.org. There is very good information on that site as to what to look for (in terms of evaluating the breeder) when getting a dog. Sadly, in my experience, MOST breeders are of the "backyard" variety. They just breed the animals and sell them. Good breeders go far and above that: breeding for "good" traits and not breeding dogs with physical problems, give medical warranties, will allow you to meet the parents and will screen the adopting families RIGOROUSLY and keep in touch afterwards. If a breeder will not do these things, walk away. If the breeder's home is filthy (I've heard this happen) document it (use your picture phone if you have to) and report it to the authorities. And, never, ever buy a dog/animal from a petstore. It is well-known that those animals come from pet "mills" and other sketchy places. Having worked in one . . . . I have seen it firsthand. |
Anonymous
|
Sorry to hear such a sad story. At least you "saved" one doggie.
Can you prove the "breeder" neglects or doesn't adequately provide food and shelter to the dogs? Are there cramped or unsanitary conditions? If so, you may be able to make some headway by calling Ffx. Co. Animal Control. If it is more of an issue of falsely certifing purebreds than it seems like that would be a case for AKC which you mentioned you already contacted. For true revenge, perhaps you could post an "ad" in the section where you got this "breeder's" name - say something like "Don't buy dogs from Breeder ___ " that should discourage potential customers. |
Anonymous
| From what you describe I'm not sure you are dealing with a puppy mill. Although it sounds like the breeder may not be the most ethical. I'm assuming you tried to deal with the breeder, but did not reach satifactory resolution? Most breeders I've dealt, have a guarantee with their dogs. So if your dog does turn out to be sickly or have certain inherited traits, then they will supply a new dog (although you may have to return the first one). Of course many people become so attached to their dogs that they are very unlikely to ever return them. Our family had purebred dogs and we had our share of sickly and larger/smaller than average dogs. However, we never intended to show or breed them so it was okay with us. As for the sickness/illness -- there are certain diseases that run within certain breeds that you should be aware of before adopting/buying a dog. Hip dyslplasia and other orthepedic problems run in the breed my family tended to buy/adopt. We did buy one dog that was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at an early age, and although we never did return him, the breeder did give us a steep discount on the next one we purchased from her. Also, most breeds have a club so you might want to report the breeder to the club and see what they have to say. Some clubs may have a "do not buy from this kennel" list. |
Anonymous
OP here. Thanks for the unhelpful response. BTW I spend plenty of time caring for my dog, but you wouldn't know that since you know nothing about me. |
Anonymous
| OP here again. To everyone else -- thank you for the helpful responses. What I am looking for is to shut them down because they are misleading the public in what they are selling. My dog is my baby and I wouldn't dream of giving him back (and who knows what they would do to him) and a "refund" really wouldn't do much with all the expenses I anticipate in the future. I grew up with this breed of dog in my house, as well as having friends with this breed and trust me, his problems are not normal for the breed. As to why I said nothing earlier, I was pregnant when we got him; swamped at work at that time (SAHM now); and a little "green" as to what proper conditions are, and was basically just dealing with his medical issues as they arose and not really thinking about why he has them until recently. Also, it has only been recently that the doctors have been able to diagnose what some of his problems are. In some states, the laws give the buyer one year to discover any genetic or hereditary defects since those are not apparent right away (not VA though). In any event, I will contact the ASPCA and I do have a news station interested in a national story. I have contacted the sellers about the problems but have not received a response. Thanks again. |
Anonymous
|
Just a quick tip to OP as you proceed - the term "puppy mill" is different by defiinition than a "backyard breeder". It sounds like you are actually dealing with a backyard breeder and not a puppy mill which is not better or worse, but is different by definition.
|
Anonymous
|
the problem is not just in VA--saw this article when I was visiting my parents over the holidays:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1223puppymills1223.html It sounds like unless the conditions at the breeder are abusive (lack of food and water, overcrowding, etc.) you may not have any recourse. Have you been in touch with county and state representatives?--the only option may be to get new laws or regulations put into place. |
Anonymous
| True puppy mills can be shut down by notifying the ASPCA or local authorities and monitoring them to make sure they actually investigate. As the 10:44 poster said, abusive conditions are against the law. As for backyard breeders, virtually nothing can be done. The AKC doesn't care; they get huge amounts of income from those breeders (and from legitimate breeders and from full-fledged puppy mills). |
Anonymous
| I'm very sorry that your dog has been so unhealthy but am somewhat in shock at the generally sympathetic responses you're getting with respect to your desire to shut down this breeder. Maybe there's more to this that you've not shared, but based on the information that you've provided so far, there's nothing in your post to justify your calling this a "puppy mill" -- you don't say anything about their practices or treatment of their dogs that sounds unkind, inhumane or abusive in any way, and you don't provide any basis for suggesting that your dog is not purebred. As others have pointed out, and as you must know, "even" (and perhaps more often) purebred dogs can be sickly. You may have some contractual claim against them if they made representations about the dog's future health or condition, but deeming them a puppy mill and wanting to shut them down because your dog is sick? That seems like a ridiculous overreaction. |
Anonymous
|
I have to agree with the previous poster. The term "puppy mill" by definition implies an abusive, neglectful breeder whose entire operation is in violation of state and local laws on animal treatment -- not a breeder who produces a single specimen of purebred dog that fails to satisfy the breed's expectations or requirements. The latter circumstance can happen in the best-run operation as it is simply a fault of genetics.
The fact that YOUR dog fails to satisfy breed norms does not render this operation a "puppy mill." Why would shutting down this operation help your dog with its health problems -- would you force the mother of a child with cerebral palsy to have a hysterectomy? |
LRP
Member Offline
Member Offline
|
Rereading my post, I want to apologize for the last sentence, it was unnecessary. However, I stand by the rest of my post. My goal was not to be unhelpful but to point out to you that nothing in your post made it clear why you were calling the breeder a "puppy mill." Also, maybe you need to take a step back before trying to put someone out of business because you are unhappy with your purchase. One sick dog does not make a puppy mill. "A puppy mill is a breeder who produces puppies with no breeding program, little attention to puppy placement, and poor health and socialization practices. Conditions in puppy mills are generally substandard and may be deplorable, and puppies and adult dogs may be malnourished, sickly, and of poor temperament." I would hope that you took the time to see where the dogs were bred and that if the conditions were bad, you wouldn't have purchased your dog from this breeder. If the conditions were not bad, you don't have a puppy mill.
That said, if the breeder is actually a puppy mill there are a host of animal rights groups online that could provide you with assistance, just google "puppy mill." |