resources > news: archives
Below are a few stories about animal neglect or cruelty or related animal issues. This is just a small sampling of news. Some articles are still active with weblinks; other articles have been deleted and archived by the publication. These archived articles are still listed (with title, publication and date) for those who want to research this issue further.
National news: Delta Airlines bans bulldogs on all flights
April 11, 2011
Delta Airlines recently announced it will ban bulldogs from its planes due to increase in dog deaths (in cargo area). Short-snouted dogs like these breeds experience respiratory problems while flying in the cargo area.
Minnesota: Cub born to Lily the black bear dies
April 13, 2011
KARE11 - Lily the black bear and her cubs, who live in the wild in northern Minnesota, has been watched by thousands of people through a web cam. This spring, Lily gave birth to two cubs. One of the cubs, named Jason, was struggling to live and died on Tuesday, April 12. For story, click on link above.
Minnesota: Neglected and dead horses found at farm. Go to Cruelty Cases
April 6, 2011
The Morris Sun Tribune - "The eyes are dead, the backs and bellies sag and the hides appear draped over protruding ribs and haunches. But at least they are alive. About half of the 14 horses removed from a rural Strabuck home last week in an animal hoarding and neglect case are expected to be placed with private owners and foster caretakers..."
Minnesota: Tower woman cited for neglect after animals die of starvation
March 30, 2011
Duluth News Tribune — The owner of a dilapidated farm near Tower (MN) where at least six animals died of starvation has been issued a misdemeanor citation for animal neglect. Neighbor says officers responded slowly to reports of dead animals and squalid conditions on dilapidated farm. For full story, click on link above. Read mroe: Cruelty Cases
Minnesota: U of MN launches first animal trauma center
March, 2011
"Examples of trauma cases capable of being treated by the Animal Trauma Center include
injuries resulting from moving vehicle accidents, major falls, bite wounds, and smoke or chemical inhalation. In addition, most of the region's police department K9 units rely on the VMC to provide care for canine officers injured in the line of duty."
Minnesota: Governor Dayton signs bill to increase penalties for harming police dogs
March 2011
Governor Mark Dayton signed House File 141/Senate File 121 into law. The new law increases the penalties for people who injure or kill police or other public safety dogs. Major, the police dog, helped usher in stiffer criminal penalties in Minnesota for people who harm or kill public safety animals. The German Shepherd is now retired from the Police Department after a robbery suspect stabbed him four times in November 2010.
• Article: KARE11: Minn man sentenced for injured police dog
• Article: KSTP.com: Injured Police Dog 'Major' Witnesses Minn. Bill Signing
• Article: Pioneer Press (includes multiple photos): Man sentenced in Maplewood break-in that led to K-9 stabbing
• Article: HometownSource: Gov. Dayton signs into law tougher penalties for hurting police dogs
• Article: Fox9.com: Police K9 Dog Stabbed in Maplewood
Florida: Mass breeders ship thousands of puppies to Palm Beach, Treasure Coast
Updated February 2011
Report documents commercial dog breeders, including Minnesota breeder Kathy Bauck and others, selling and shipping dogs/puppies to Florida pet stores.
Missouri: Better Business Bureau releases Study of Puppy Industry in Missouri
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) in Missouri recently conducted an investigation and study of the puppy industry in Missouri. This study included a review of the buyers, sellers, breeders and enforcement of laws pertaining to the puppy industry. One of the responsibilities of the BBB is to monitor the marketplace, rooting out questionable activities affecting consumers. Based on this study, the BBB's recommendations:
• That the Missouri and U.S. Department of Agriculture pursue penalties against repeat offenders more aggressively.
• That, if necessary, legislation be sought to streamline the process for penalizing repeat offenders, while still allowing for due process.
• That the Missouri Department of Agriculture and General Assembly consider an auditor's recommendation to increase the annual license fees and more accurately assess them thereby providing more resouruces for the inspection and regulation program.
• That consumers consider "adopting" a spayed pet from a shelter.
Further details
• To read the report, go to: The Puppy Industry in Missouri
• For BBB website and article: BBB Study: Lack of Effective Law Enforcement Allows Missouri Puppy Mill Industry To Thrive
Huffington Post: New Pennsylvania law putting puppy mills out of business
June 11, 2010 by Michael Rubinkam
Pennsylvania overhauled their dog law in 2008. Key provisions were included that required large-scale breeders to "double cage sizes, eliminate wire flooring, and provide unfettered access to the outdoors. The new law also banned cage stacking, instituted twice-a-year vet checks, and mandated new ventilation and cleanliness standards."
The result? "Many breeders have closed voluntarily rather than comply. The number of commercial kennels in Pennsylvania plummeted from 303 at the beginning of 2009 to 111 today - a reduction of almost two-thirds - although a few of them are expected to reopen after making renovations, while other kennels got rid of enough dogs so that they are no longer classified as commercial operations."
For full article go to: New PA law putting puppy mills out of business
The New York Times: The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome
June 7, 2010 by Charles Seibert
"On a late May afternoon last year in southwest Baltimore, a 2-year-old female pit bull terrier was doused in gasoline and set alight....The dog, subsequently named Phoenix, survived for four days with burns over 95 percent of her body, but soon began to succumb to kidney failure and had to be euthanized."
And so begins the article. We've all heard or seen stories like this before. What's interesting about this article is the explanation of how crime-scene investigations for animals is becoming more acceptable. Traditional investigators are being trained in topics such as forensic entomology; bloodstain-pattern and bite-mark analysis; buried remains excavations; and forensic osteology.
Article also raises questions about why people hurt animals, including a discussion of the neurophysiology of empathy (i.e. for those who abuse animals, there is no or limited activity in regions of the brain involved with moral reasoning and self-regulation). The question asked: Can empathy be taught or restored?
Read more: The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome
United States: USDA fails to crack down on puppy mills
May 25, 2010
An internal government report says that "dogs are dying and living in horrific conditions due to lax government enforcement of large kennels known as puppy mills. Investigators say the Department of Agriculture agency in charge of enforcing the Animal Welfare Act often ignores repeat violations, waives penalties and doesn't adequately document inhumane treatment of dogs." (Quote by the Associated Press; see link below.)
The audit was conducted by the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) between 2006 and 2008; the report was released in May 2010. The audit included visits to 50 breeders and 18 dealers in 8 states. Ten USDA-licensed facilities in Minnesota were visited.
The enforcement agency, known as Animal Care (AC), part of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Inspection Service (APHIS), has been audited in previous years, including 1992, 1995 and 2005.
In the report (link below), the OIG gives multiple examples of lax enforcement (including photos), along with assessment and recommendations. They identified the following major deficiencies with APHIS' administration of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA):
• AC's enforcement process was ineffective against problematic dealers
• AC inspectors did not cite or document violations properly to support enforcement
• APHIS' new penalty worksheet calculated minimal penalties
• APHIS misused guidelines to lower penalties for AWA violators
• Some large breeders circumvented AWA by selling animals over the Internet
Audit reports and further information can be found through links below.
For link to audit report (with photos): 2010 Inspector General Report
For link to AP news article: USDA fails to crack down on puppy mills
(no longer online)
For link to news article: Durbin, Vitter Call for Reform
For link to information about Animal Welfare Act: Animal Welfare Act
For link to data about inspections: USDA inspections
For link to USDA-licensing data: Commercial breeders
Minnesota: Animals Rescued from Commercial Breeder
January 2010
On January 14, 2010, a team from the Animal Humane Society rescued 51 dogs housed from a breeding facility in rural Minnesota. The animals have been treated and cared for at the Golden Valley AHS shelter. AHS worked with Animal Allies in Duluth, Tri-County Humane Society in St. Cloud, and local rescue groups, A Rotta Love and Pet Haven, to provide special treatment for the dogs most affected by their conditions.
The call to AHS came after local authorities responded to three different calls about the operation. At this facility, a high number of dogs of various breeds were found living in deplorable conditions. They were not provided exercise and experienced little to no human contact. The owner surrendered the animals into the care of AHS.
For further information and video go to:
FOX News: 51 dogs seized in puppy mill bust
AHS website: 51 dogs rescued from MN puppy mill
Minnesota: Animals seized from Minneapolis breeder
October 2009
In October 2009, Minneapolis Animal Control seized 30 shih tzu's from a Minneapolis breeder (Tiny Paws Tzus) who was operating out of her home. One dog's tongue was permanently hanging out due to the fact that the dog's jaw was broken. Other dogs seized suffered from similar conditions, including dental and eye problems, severe skin conditions, embedded feces and urine in their hair, and emotional trauma such as shaking uncontrollably with fright. This breeder has been charged with animal cruelty and legal obstruction. Arraignment was December 10, 2009.
This is not a story of hoarding; it's an example of an unregulated business. The State of Minnesota has no state laws to license, inspect or regulate dog and cat breeders; as a result, people choose to "get into" the business of breeding to make money, yet often have no animal husbandry skills and do not operate as legitimate businesses.
This particular breeder was actively selling through her own website as well as online breeder directories, such as PupCity.com, Breedersweb.com, Puppysites.com and others.
For more information, go to:
wcco (Oct. 30, 2009): Mpls. Animal Control Sizes 30 Shi Tzu's From Home
(no longer online)
pdf -- Star Tribune (Oct. 24, 2009): 30 Shih Tzus seized from Mpls. Home
Wisconsin: Breeder Bill passes
October 2009
On October 27, 2009, the Wisconsin Assembly approved the Commercial Dog Breeders Licensure Bill by a unanimous vote (96 to 0). (Note: The Wisconsin 'Assembly' is similar to the House of Representatives in Minnesota.) On November 5, 2009, the Wisconsin Senate, also by unanimous vote (32 to 0), approved the bill. On December 1, 2009, Wisconsin Governor Doyle signed the bill (AB250) into law.
Now that Wisconsin has taken action, there is a high risk of irresponsible breeders moving across the border and setting up business in "unregulated" Minnesota. To read more:
No Wisconsin Puppy Mills website
This website provides links to the legislation, alerts and commentary.
Written testimony from author of Wisconsin bill AB250 (Rep. Smith)
AllBusiness: Wisconsin Assembly approves rules on 'puppy mills'
(no longer online)
American Kennel Club (AKC) response
The AKC has been known to oppose breeder bills throughout the U.S., and has encouraged its members to voice opposition.
The Daily Page: Rescue Me
March 06, 2009 "Lack of regulation has made Wisconsin a magnet for unscrupulous dog breeders looking to turn a quick profit."
Milwaukee Magazine: Puppy Hell
December 12, 2008 "Lax regulations have made Wisconsin a haven for Amish and Mennonite puppy mill breeders who turn out deformed dogs."
MN Breeder closes
Gary McDuffee, owner of a large dog-breeding kennel in Little Falls, Minnesota, cancelled his U.S. Department of Agriculture license on March 16 and has apparently gone out of business. Three years ago, this breeder was granted a conditional use permit from Morrison County to operate a 500-dog breeding facility. This action prompted lawsuits and protests. Last fall, McDuffee sold hundreds of his dogs at a Missouri auction — an indication that he was going out of business. From reports by neighbors, his kennels are now quiet and dogs are not being seen trucked in and out of the facility. His ex-wife, Wanda Kretzman, continues to operate Clearwater Kennels, one of the largest breeding kennels in Minnesota. McDuffee's sister, Mary Anne Susalski, also owns and operates a large breeding kennel in Morrison County, known as www.cuddlemepuppies.com.
St. Cloud Times: Controversial Little Falls dog-breeding business closes
(article no longer online)
MN Breeder: Waggin Tails Kennels
A dog breeder in Little Falls, Minnesota, sold many of his dogs at the Southwest Auction Service in Missouri in late 2009. This breeder, Gary McDuffee, who operates Waggin Tail Kennels, generated considerable news in 2007 when he applied for a Conditional Use Permit ("CUP") to open and operate a large dog breeding kennel. Neighbors filed lawsuits to oppose the CUP. The Morrison County Board of Commissioners granted the CUP, which allowed McDuffee to have 500 adult dogs and unlimited puppy production.
The auction website stated: "Gary has been in business for many years, but he feels it is time to sellout." Examples of dogs at auction: 6F/4M Cocker, 4F/2M Cairn, 9F/8M Dach (LH & Dpls), 22F/3M Bichon, 11F/9M Poodle, 3F/sM Pap. 5F/1M Westie, 2F Havanese, 8F/8M Shh, 2F/1F Silky, 5F/4M Yorkie, 3F Cocker/Bichon, and others.
Animal advocates and neighbors in his community are skeptical about his retirement and are dismayed that his dogs, sold at auction and to other breeders, will go back into the "puppy mill cycle" of abuse.
Star Tribune (Nov. 7, 2009) Skepticism greets Little Falls dog breeder's retirement (with comments from readers)
Quote by Keith Streff, humane agent at Animal Humane Society: "The breeding industry is very vague because the laws are vague. It's like prostitution -- void of ethics. And if you're smart enough, you can bend the law."
Star Tribune (March 4, 2006) Neighbors Don't Like DeBarking
Article written and printed in 2006 about Gary McDuffee's application to run a 600 dog breeding kennel in Morrison County. McDuffee (with support of his veterinarian) proposed debarking the dogs.
To learn more about debarking and the deadly effects on dogs and cats, go to: Other States - Massachusetts Considers a Bill to Ban Devocalization
Older articles
- December 14, 2007/ St. Cloud Times
TITLE: Benton to Study Breeder's Site
AUTHOR: Kirsti Marohn
- December 11, 2007
TITLE: Advocates Concerned About Dog Breeding Regulation
AUTHOR: wcco.com/Associated Press
- December 10, 2007/ St. Cloud Times
TITLE: Breeder Applies for Facility Permit
AUTHOR: Kirsti Marohn
- December 10, 2007/ St. Cloud Times
TITLE: Morrison OKs kennel expansion
AUTHOR: Kirsti Marohn
- December 8, 2007
TITLE: Beltrami Humane Society (Bemidji, MN.): More Funding Needed To Help an Abused Dog
AUTHOR: Beltrami Humane Society
- December 6, 2007 / St. Cloud Times
TITLE: Unknown number of dogs die in business fire
AUTHOR: Kari Petrie
- September 28, 2007/ St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN)/ Associated Press
TITLE: Bipartisan Bill Attempts To Control Puppy Mills - License, Humane Care Required of Breeders
AUTHOR: Todd Richmond / Associated Press
LINK: No Web Link
- May 26, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Neighbors appeal kennel decision
AUTHOR: David Unze
LINK: No Web Link
- April 18, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Breeding law should be looked at federally
AUTHOR: Randy Krebs
LINK: No Web Link
- April 5, 2007 / wcco.com
TITLE: Morrison Co. Approves 500 Breeding-Dog Kennel
AUTHOR: wcco
- April 5, 2007 - dog articles.org (source: Minnesota Public Radio)
TITLE: Morrison County Approves Dog Breeding Kennel
AUTHOR: Tim Post
- April 5, 2007 / Best Friends Network
TITLE: It’s Official: Morrison County Board Approves Kennel Permit
AUTHOR: Kelli Ohrtman
- April 4, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Kennel set for approval
AUTHOR: David Unze
LINK: No Web Link
- April 4, 2007 / Star Tribune: Newspaper of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN)
TITLE: Large dog-breeding kennel may get OK, with caveats
AUTHOR: Warren Wolfe Staff Writer
- April 4, 2007 / wcco.com
TITLE: Morrison Co. to Approve Controversial Dog Kennel
AUTHOR: wcco
- Spring 2007/ American Veterinary Medical Law Association
TITLE: Debarking: A County Zoing Board Stumbles Upon A Debate
AUTHOR: American Veterinary Medical Law Association Newsletter
- March 31, 2007/ wcco.com – WITH VIDEO
TITLE: Investigators Seize 60 Dogs From Farm
AUTHOR: Bridgette Bornstein
- March 30, 2007 / KARE 11 News
TITLE: Sixty dogs rescued from breeder
AUTHOR: KARE 11
NOTE: Article refers to S.F. 121 (introduced in 2007); S.F. 2292 revised this legislation and was before the legislature in 2008
- March 27, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Neighbors sound off on facility permit
AUTHOR: David Unze
LINK: No web link
- March 11, 2007 / St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN)
TITLE: Hunting Dog Breeders Are Howling Over Proposed Regulations
AUTHOR: Chris Niskanen, Outdoors Editor
LINK: No web link
NOTE: Comments in article refer to S.F. 121 (introduced in 2007); S.F. 2292 revised this legislation and was before the legislature in 2008
- March 7, 2007/wcco.com – WITH VIDEO
TITLE: New Effort To Shut Down Puppy Mills In Minnesota
AUTHOR: Lisa Kiava
- March 5, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Experts: Investigate before you buy
AUTHOR: Kirsti Marohn
LINK: No web link
- March 5, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Lemon law offers buyers some protections
AUTHOR: David Unze
LINK: No web link
- March 5, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Scrutiny tightens for big breeders
AUTHOR: Kirsti Marohn
LINK: No web link
- March 4, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Court cases involving area breeders
AUTHOR: Times
LINK: No web link
- March 4, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: New Kennel brings issue to forefront
AUTHOR: Kirsti Marohn, David Unze
LINK: No web link
- March 4, 2007 - St. Cloud Times
TITLE: Times investigation: Pet breeding in Central Minnesota
AUTHOR: Kristi Marohn, Dave Unze
LINK: No web link
- February 16, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Focus efforts on improving standards
AUTHOR: Randy Krebs
LINK: No web link
- February 12, 2007 / Paper: St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Kennel issue might be moot
AUTHOR: David Unze
- February 7, 2007 / St. Cloud Times (MN)
TITLE: Morrison to review kennel
AUTHOR: David Unze, Kirsti Marohn
LINK: No web link
- February 7, 2007 / Star Tribune: Newspaper of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN)
TITLE: Surgical debarking issue clouds kennel's future - Court of Appeals overturns permit to house 600 dogs in Morrison County; cutting of vocal cords is a concern.
AUTHOR: Rochelle Olson, Staff Writer
LINK: No web link
- February 7, 2007 / St. Paul Pioneer Press (MN)
TITLE: Disputed Kennel Rejected by Court - ‘Debarking’ cited in permit’s revocation AUTHOR: Amy Forliti, Associated Press
LINK: No web link
- July 12, 2006 / Detroit Free Press
TITLE: Dog buyers beware
AUTHOR: Steve Neavling
- July 12, 2006 / Detroit Free Press
TITLE: Agency faulted for not cracking down on violators
AUTHOR: Steve Neavling
- May 24, 2006 / Fox 9 News
TITLE: Puppy Peddlers
AUTHOR: Fox 9
- May 9, 2006 / Morrison County Record
TITLE: Scheduling hearing set in kennel case
AUTHOR: Chris Schafer
- April 3, 2006 / Minnesota Public Radio
TITLE: Dog kennel debate goes to court
AUTHOR: MPR
- March 5, 2006 / Star Tribune
TITLE: Breeding dogs, raising alarms
AUTHOR: Paul Levy
- March, 2, 2006 / KARE 11
TITLE: Dozens of puppies taken from uppy mill
AUTHOR: KARE 11
- February 9, 2006 / wcco.com
TITLE: Residents File Lawsuit To Block Dog Kennel
AUTHOR: wcco
- February 9, 2006 / Star Tribune
TTLE: Two-Minute Guide – Morrison County Kennels – Suit against kennel plan cites lack of environmental study
AUTHOR: Paul Levy
- Feb. 03, 2006 / Star Tribune
TITLE: Little Falls kennel had violations, USDA files show
AUTHOR: Paul Levy
- January 28, 2006 / Star Tribune
TITLE: Opponents ask investigation of kennel permit
AUTHOR: Paul Levy
- January 25, 2006 / Star Tribune
TITLE: A 600-dog kennel has tongues wagging
AUTHOR: Paul Levy
- January 25, 2006 / Star Tribune
TITLE: Neighbors don’t like debarking for 600-dog kennel
AUTHOR: Paul Levy
- December 23, 2005 / wcco
TITLE: Seized From Puppy Mills
AUTHOR: wcco.com
Arkansas
KARK 4 News: 350 Dogs Rescued from Arkansas Puppy Mill (no longer online)
March 23, 2009 "Most people don't realize that this is the cruel reality behind those cute puppies for sale in pet stores and online."
California
npr: Grim Puppy Mill Shipment Makes L.A. Take Notice (no longer online)
December 30, 2008 "So-called puppy mill dogs are showing up sick and dehydrated at major airports around the country."
Maine
Kennebec Journal: Problem breeders a moving target (no loner online)
December 29, 2008 "Unlicensed animal breeders and puppy-mill operators are using the Internet and some time-honored tricks to stay ahead of state and federal officials.."
Minnesota
For news about the Kathy Jo Bauck (MN dog breeder) trial and case, go to News: Bauck
For undercover investigations and videos about some Minnesota breeders, go to videos.
Missouri
AP: 92 Suspected Puppy Mill Dogs Found, Maybe 100 More Missing (no longer online)
April 3, 2009 "The dogs are from the same home where a police fofficer shot and killed an aggressive chimp earlier this week."
WITN: 200 Rescued From Puppy Mill, Fire Turned Over To State
February 28, 2009 "Owner is an unlicensed breeder who alledgedly set fire to his property, injuring some of the animals."
North Carolina
Eyewitness News: Authorities shut down Wayne County puppy mill
February 6, 2009 "300 dogs were confiscated from Thorton's Kennels...Wayne County Animal Control and the Humane Society say all 300 were neglected and mistreated."
Pennsylvania
Lancasteronline: Teaching young dogs old tricks
December 28, 2008 "Rescued from puppy mills, these puppies need to readjust to people."
Tennessee
Newsweek: A (Designer's) Dog's Life
April 04, 2009 "If the Obamas choose a hybrid, unethical breeders will try to cash in — and puppies are likely to suffer."
Herald-Citizen: Over 200 dogs seized in puppy mill raid (no longer online)
"...... someone who visited the property to buy a dog notified the White County Humane Society of alleged "horrible conditions" at the business."
Virginia
WVEC.com: Virginia puppy mill law holds breeders, sellers accountable (no longer online)
"The new year brought newer and tougher laws to protect animals. Breeders and sellers are accountable for the animals in their care."
HSUS: Virginia: The Next Puppy Mill State? (older article, before legislation passed)
(no longer online)
November 1, 2007: "A five-month, undercover investigation by The HSUS revealed a substantial Virgina puppy mill industry that is largely unregulated and often in violation of state and federal laws."
Washington
KOMO News: Who's to blame in alleged puppy mill case?
February 24, 2009 "Investigators are digging deeper into the alleged puppy mill operations ... trying to find out exactly who's to blame for the hundreds of dogs found living in deplorable situations."
KOMO News: Rescued dogs pregnant with 1,500 puppies
January 26, 2009 "Rescuers who have saved hundreds of dogs from stinking, filth-choked puppy mills over the past few days have made an eye-popping discovery - most of the animals are pregnant and due to give bith to roughly 1,500 puppies."
Wisconsin
The Daily Page: Rescue Me
March 06, 2009 "Lack of regulation has made Wisconsin a magnet for unscrupulous dog breeders looking to turn a quick profit."
Milwaukee Magazine: Puppy Hell
December 12, 2008 "Lax regulations have made Wisconsin a haven for Amish and Mennonite puppy mill breeders who turn out deformed dogs." |
