Personal experience drives woman to work against puppy mills
Podcast Episode
A Janesville woman is one of many in Wisconsin making an effort to promote the regulation of puppy mills. Jodi Hunter started advocating for dog sale regluation after she bought her beagle, who came with physical and psychological issues. Kyle Geissler reports. You can read more in Monday's Janesville Gazette.
Photo
Jodi Hunter of Janesville has rescued each of her three pets from puppymills. From left, Kaylee Renee, age 4, Maggie, age 7, and Sofie, age 5, all still suffer some effects from years spent in restrictive environments.
JANESVILLE — Jodi Hunter had no idea what to expect when the ranch owner told her the dog she was buying had come from a puppy mill.
"I had always heard the word puppy mill, and I knew it was a bad place, but I never knew, never knew, what I know now," Hunter said.
She learned quickly. Sofie, the 5-year-old beagle Hunter bought from Thyme and Sage Ranch, was underweight and unsociable. The dog dove under pillows on a futon when Hunter and her husband brought it home in June 2008 and rarely came out.
"She didn't know how to do anything," Hunter of Janesville said. "She didn't know how to play. She didn't know how to be a dog. She just was so scared."
Today, Sofie no longer hides under the pillows when people enter a room, and she has two friends—another beagle and a Yorkshire terrier, both rescued from puppy mills.
And Hunter has a new passion—bringing to an end the cruel treatment many say dogs suffer at so-called "puppy mills"—large, commercial breeding facilities where dogs spend their lives in cages with little, if any, socialization and inadequate care.
Hunter is one of many residents, local and statewide, speaking out about the practice and urging the state Legislature to regulate dog sales.
Wisconsin is one of the worst states in the country for puppy mills and one of few states that don't regulate dog breeding, according to an expose in the January issue of Milwaukee Magazine. Many of the mills are found in Clark and Chippewa counties. They're often run by the Amish and Mennonite, who don't view animals as pets, the article says.
Hunter's beagles, Sofie and Maggie, suffered from many physical and psychological problems from their time in puppy mills, she said. They had ear infections, rotten teeth and bad odor. Their paws were splayed from years spent in wire cages stacked on top of each other. They were afraid of young men because that's who usually handled them at the mills.
Thyme and Sage Ranch, the Richland County shelter where Hunter bought the beagles, was closed in May after authorities found more than 300 dogs allegedly living in poor conditions. Hunter believes the owner, Jennifer Petkus, was trying to help abused and abandoned dogs but got in over her head, she said.
As Hunter learned more about puppy mills, she got active. She joined rescue groups and researched puppy mills online.
In March, she went to a dog auction in Thorp, 30 miles east of Chippewa Falls, where breeders sell dogs they no longer want.
She meant to just watch, but she wound up buying Kaylee, a tiny Yorkshire terrier with big problems, to keep it from going to a breeder Hunter thought would treat her cruelly.
Kaylee had borne five litters of puppies in her four years of life. She was so sick she needed emergency veterinary care. Hunter caught one of Kaylee's diseases and ended up in the emergency room.
The dog had "cage craze," spinning and spinning because that's all she could do in the kennel in which she was raised, Hunter said. She didn't know how to walk on grass.
Hunter said she won't go back to an auction because she doesn't want to give money to the breeders. Instead, she wants to educate people. She would love to talk to young people to encourage them to get dogs from shelters or small, breed-specific dog breeders' homes where buyers can see the dogs' conditions, she said. She has handed out information at farmers markets, dog parks and Mounds Dog Fest in Madison.
"If we could stick to the breed-specific breeders, who love their dogs and love their breed and care about where their dogs go, I think we'd still be fine," she said. "We'd still have plenty of animals."
Meanwhile, Hunter's dogs have improved by leaps and bounds—literally—since she brought them home. The beagles sleep next to each other on an easy chair, and Kaylee cuddles in Hunter's lap. The Yorkie's ears perk up when Hunter talks to her.
Hunter gave Kaylee the middle name of Renee, meaning rebirth.
"If you could only see these guys when I got them," she said, her eyes filling with tears. "It's just how they've grown. They've turned into real dogs."
Jul 9, 2009 at 9:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
kpabloskie makes a good point about the taxpayers footing the bill for animal control/shelters....Many of these "breeders" are perpetuating an animal welfare-state as they make their profits and shove their problems onto the rest of us...I disagree that the bill won't shut down mills, there seems to be enough interested people to make sure the neccessary enforcement occurs.
Jul 9, 2009 at 8:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
I would think that legitimate, responsible breeders (who claim to love dogs) would be thrilled by this new legislation. By reducing and/or eliminating some of the inhumane mass breeding facilities (which we know exist in Wisconsin) the price and desirability of dogs that the responsible breeder produce would only go up.
I volunteer at Elmbrook Humane Society and at Little Buddies Rescue in Mukwonago and I see the puppy mill dogs that end up in these shelters because of their medical and/or behavior issues. Dogs from responsible breeders would not have these problems - thereby lessening the impact to the taxpayer in animal control services. (I know that both of these shelters/rescues are not tax-payer funded but Elmbrook does hold the animal control contract for many parts of the district. Many counties and municipalities in Wisconsin use tax-payer money to fund animal control).
How do we convince the good breeders that legislation that supports the humane treatment of dogs will not hinder but help their bottom line. The small fees that they would pay in licensing would be easily absorbed in the increased price they can charge for their healthy, sound dogs.
Kathy Pobloskie
Jul 8, 2009 at 9:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
There are an estimated 14,970 dogs in Janesville, according to The Best Friends Animal Societies Website. For the Smith/Kreitlow Commercial Dog Breeders Bill to pass this session, without any amendments, you dog lovers need to call your legislators and ask them to support the bill. Ask them to hold the threshold number to 25 and for breeders that sell 25 or more dogs per year to be inspected. You can find your legislator by calling 608-266-9660 or by going online to: www.legis.state.wi.us and giving your address. You will get the information about your legislator’s, address, or phone; some have online email options on their individual Websites. A simple call to ask them to support this bill will go towards helping dogs that are forced to live in deplorable conditions by unscrupulous breeders.
This bill is NOT out to stop ALL breeders, or aimed at hobby breeders, or to stop traditions, its purpose is to catch the bad actors. Read the bill in its entirety and decide for yourself at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/A... . In reading the facts, what would be the rationale for not supporting this bill?
Jul 8, 2009 at 3:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
I question the need for much of this "breeding" anyway..I got my mix-breed dog free and he's everything I could ever ask for in a dog...I don't hunt, but this dog even "points" and "tracks" although I don't use him for those purposes.
Jul 8, 2009 at 2:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
I agree thunderhill. I don't believe legislation will end puppy mills/commercial breeders. This bill will at least be a start to regulate them and in the process we are educating the public and making them more aware of what is going on and maybe someday, like the seals, the demand will become less and less. Dogs will die, millers won't want to comply and will kill their breeding stock. There will always be animals in laboratories. BUT, they can be treated more humanely. They can get proper vet care, socialization and exercise,adequate ventilation and heat; thats not asking too much and lets remember, it is also regulating shelters and rescues so another Thyme and Sage doesn't happen again. We can only try, and we need to start somewhere and thank you to those who are making this effort rather than do nothing.
Jul 8, 2009 at 12:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
My dog came from a puppy mill that supplied for Petland in Rockford. I "rescued" her after the couple that had her didn't want to be bothered with paying for her vet bills due to reoccuring ear infections. They were going to just put her down and she was only 3. I've had her for 4 years and surprisingly healthy. She had a lot of health issues early on in her life, I'm sure because of the breeding and because the couple didn't take the time to get her proper care. This couple later went back to that store and bought another dog. This one was returned to the store by the 1st owner because he was sick. They knew it and bought him anyway, because he was now on sale. Some people really never learn. True dog lovers would NEVER buy their pets from a store. I also remember once seeing a u-haul truck in a parking lot loaded front to back, top to bottom, with cages with 2 to 3 dogs per cage. The people had stopped to open up the back so the dogs could get air. They had 10 or so cages on the ground so the air could get to the front of the truck to the dogs up there. It was very sad.
Jul 8, 2009 at 12:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Contrary to popular opinion, legislation will not stop puppymills. It will only make the cages a little cleaner. Puppymills exist because the public likes the convenience, the selection, the easy credit, and the lack of home screening that puppymills and pet shops offer. They really don't care about the source of the puppy, the lack of health clearances on the parents, or the poor warranties that accompany them. They don't want to wait for a well-bred puppy from a responsible hobby breeder, they don't want to take time to learn how to choose a breed or a breeder, and they don't like being screened for suitability of ownership as shelters and responsible breeders do. They just want a cute puppy RIGHT NOW. Until you can change that mindset, puppymills will continue, licensed or not, clean or not. BUYERS can stop puppymills by not buying from them, it's as simple as that. BUYERS have made great differences in where other retailers obtain their merchandise by demanding products from reputable or humane sources. They can do it with puppymills, too -- all they have to do is resist the temptation of the puppy in the window and take time to learn what good breeding is all about.
Jul 8, 2009 at 11:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
What I can't get over is people buying these designer dogs. A friend of mine paid close to $1500 for...well, let's face facts, a mutt. I believe that if someone wants a "mutt" go to the shelter and find one. That's where we always got our dogs when I was growing up.
Jul 8, 2009 at 10:51 a.m.
Suggest removal
moe- Its sad alright..I can't even imagine being the one who's job it is to do the dirty work...I wish there was some way to MAKE these "breeders" do it so they get a taste of what they're causing!
Jul 8, 2009 at 3 a.m.
Suggest removal
truth 1. The number is actually closer to 3-4 million..put down a year. There is just no where for them to go. People keep breeding, and breeding..it's so sad.
Jul 7, 2009 at 9:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thanks Jodi for sharing your experience. While it was a horrible experience to attend the auction with us, I am grateful you came so you can help educate people on this issue.
To those appalled by this story, please write, call, email legislators in WI to support the puppy mill bill. WI cannot continue to be the new "Puppy Mill Capitol" of the U.S.
Sure there are other horrible things going on in the world and to some those issues are more important.
But, for those of us who have seen the horror of mill dogs and have rescued them and placed them with loving families - this is what is important to us. No dog should be treated the way mill dogs are.
And FYI, for those who don't know... One of the main contributors to this business is the Amish and the Mennonites. Sure they make great furniture - but they do not make loving homes for breeding dogs.
Jul 7, 2009 at 7:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
oldestofthree-because dogs have no choice and neither do their parents. Where as with abortions the parents have a choice. We as people have rights, in most people's eyes animals do not have rights so we as people have to fight for them. Also, there is a HUGE abortion debate in this county. There are a lot of people fighting about abortion. Not everyone fights for the same cause. I enjoyed this article.
Jul 7, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
Finally, a person who tells the truth (Jodi Hunter); walks the talk; and works not only to save, but educate. Bravo Jodi! It's time for our legislators to do the right thing.
Jul 7, 2009 at 1:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
reload500- Some "businesses" raise puppies to be appealing to buyers the same way China makes lead-painted toys to be appealing to children..In addition, the mother dogs arent kept in "appealing" conditions.....watch the videos.
Jul 7, 2009 at 1:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
If a business raises puppies to be sold, my guess is that they want to treat the dogs right so that they are appealing to buyers.
Jul 7, 2009 at 1:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dogs are great~but~why aren't people more up in arms over all the abortions in our country??? Just a thought!
Jul 7, 2009 at 1:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
reload500: Are you arguing that there are not puppy mills?
Jul 7, 2009 at 1:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
reload500- Google "puppy mills" and watch the undercover videos that were taken inside of the puppymill in Odin,Indiana and the other ones and all the still-pictures.
Jul 7, 2009 at 12:45 p.m.
Jul 7, 2009 at 10:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
Does anyone have the numbers on how many nice (good, healthy, non-aggressive)dogs have to be killed JUST because there are no homes for them?..I know its in the thousands.
.
I think all those irresponsible breeders and others that support them should have to do this "dirty work"..It just might make SOME of them think about what they're causing.
Jul 7, 2009 at 10:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
Lost-City, you are right puppy mills are supply and demand, but education is the answer, NOT stop having pets. Give me a break. Educate people on where and how to buy/rescue dogs. Pets are proven, essential benefits to our lives.
Jul 7, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
Just when you thought there couldn't be any MORE crap going on in the country ......*puppy mills*?????
.
For goodness SAKE!!!.....What NEXT!!!?
Jul 7, 2009 at 9:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
When a puppy mill was found in Janesville a few years back all that person did was move the dogs to Illinois.She got no fines,loss of dogs nothing.Does anyone remember the case/story ?Husband called police on wife because he couldn't stand the smell any longer .If I remember...she had over 100 dogs/puppies all in cages in every room of the house.Poor dogs/puppies didn't have a very good start in life at the hands of this person.All she could say was...But I love my dogs !!! JMO... it's all about the $$$$$$
Jul 7, 2009 at 9:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
Puppy mills are all about supply and demand. If people did not keep animals as pets there would not be this problem.
And you people get a grip! Dogs do not like going to fireworks, parades, vidoe stores and riding in your lap as you drive. The last one killed someone. Leave your animals at home. Not everyone loves or thinks your animal is cute!!!!
Jul 7, 2009 at 8:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
As an owner of 2 rescued Saint Bernards and someone that has been very involved with Basset Hound rescue, I give many thanks and send prayers to everyone who helps stop puppy mills. Wonderful educational article, we need more people like this in the world!
Jul 7, 2009 at 8:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
The Humane Society of the United States just concluded an investigation www.hsus.org; go there to find out where your Petland gets it puppies, click on WI and then Janesville. In 2009, Janesville Petland purchased puppies from Conrad's Cuddly Canines in MO, a commercial breeder selling over 5000 puppies a year and grossing over $1,000,000 a year. The mills and backyard breeders are everywhere in WI, just because they may not be predominant in Rock County, we are all still citizens of WI and need to speak up and put an end to this. Pretty Penny Kennels in Plymouth, WI, he operates just above the law because he gives over 500 dogs food, shelter and water. He says they don't belong in a warm environment as they used to live in the wild...wild yorkies and schnauzers?!!; over 30 known predominantly amish and menonite mills in Clark County (Thorp/Eau Claire area)alone; www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com for more info. Rumored to be in the area of Orfordville and Brodhead. My dogs came from a mill in La Farge, County. Problem is they aren't regulated so they can sell privately or on internet and no one knows. Thousands of dollars under the table. Many of them stick iron rods down their throats so they can't bark.
Jul 7, 2009 at 8:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
Nice job Jodi--you are a blessing to those dogs!
Jul 7, 2009 at 8:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
I am a local dog breeder in the Janesville area and understand the importance of getting these puppy mills closed down. People buy at Petland because they can make payments on dogs. If someone can't afford to buy a dog without credit, how are they going to pay for the vet bills and other things that come up? I charge 1/2 of what they do for a health guarenteed, AKC, champion line dog who will be free of diesease and defects and knows how to pee on grass! I feel so sorry for those puppies.
Jul 7, 2009 at 2:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
Beautiful photo! Thanks for an eye-opener of an article.
Jul 7, 2009 at 12:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
Now can we please just figure out where they are and how to stop them. It makes me sick that you can buy dogs at PETLAND! Those are the places that make puppy mills. At atleast a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars a pop bad people will continue to breed these innocent animals. It makes me want to vomit.
Jul 6, 2009 at 10:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Now.... she knows what she is talking about!!! Good work.
Jul 6, 2009 at 9:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thank you so much for sharing the story of these puppy mill survivors. They are no longer known as "breeding stock", and are now loving members of a great family. Thereis a difference between good, responsible breeders and puppy mill/commercial breeders. We depend on dogs in life saving situations; search and rescue, guide dogs, fire depts., armed services, police and more, yet the reality is that many of their parents have been confined their entire lives in cages they can barely move around in, stacked on top of eachother in filthy conditions because Wisconsin has no regulations regarding this issue. Go to www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com to find out about mills, auctions, how to help and get the facts on the bill and the fact that it includes rescues and shelters as well as commercial breeders. Again, thank you Janesville Gazette.
Jul 6, 2009 at 7:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
Excellent article! Thanks for giving puppymills such spotlight in this issue. We too know have rescue dogs and there is nothing like the love of a rescued dog. They give you more back than you can EVER give to them. Thank you for spreading the news, Jodi. The animals thank you. :)
Jul 6, 2009 at 4:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thank you Janesville Gazette for this very informative article regarding puppy mills. Many people do not realize the difference between a puppy mill and a credible breed specific breeder. However Jodi Hunter understands the difference and is fighting puppy mills and I for one, as a dog owner appreciate her work and the Gazette for helping to educate the public. Every breeder that I know would welcome legislation that will help end puppy mills and protect dogs. Reputable breeders love their dogs like part of the family and want to make sure that the puppies that they sell go to loving families. I hope that this article helps to educate people on the differences here.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.