Amish Puppy Mills

[Novel]

Following I'm linking to a video on YouTube

This is what was said on the forum where I originally found the link:
Several years ago, I was contacted by someone who had witnessed the abuse and neglect of a dog (several dogs, in fact) at an Indiana Amish puppy mill. My first thought was "here we go again...someone who doesn't understand that puppy mills are legal; another do-gooder who thinks they can solve the puppy mill problem overnight, and will disappear from the scene in a month or two when they realize the dog industry is a monster...much bigger than anything we can tackle alone."

That wasn't the case. This person has remained a true friend and has proven time and time again that her dedication and stamina far outweigh my own! For three years she has stopped at nothing to bring light to the problem of the Indiana Amish puppy mills. She started with what most would think was the simple route -- the legal route. When prosecutors ignored her proof, she began to follow another route -- the money trail. When tax officials showed no interest, she reached out to the media.

WTHR in Indianapolis became interested in her video and launched a nearly year-long investigation into puppy mills, however, they investigation led them away from the heart of the problem...the Indiana Amish mills, and into Missouri and the world of dog auctions. Don't get me wrong, we were grateful for their coverage but the video submitted by this person was deemed too graphic for their broadcast and I personally don't feel they were able to bring state-wide attention to the problem in Indiana.

We all know that puppy mills exist and we all know of the Amish puppy mill problem, but until you see this video, you can't possibly understand how deep the problem goes.

[Swiftwind]

The conditions these poor souls have to live in is absolutely disgusting! It makes me quiver with anger at the thought that the government/local councils sound like they're not doing much (or anything at all) to sort this problem out, which seems to be a major issue for concern. It's extremely sad to see animals living in these horrid conditions, with injuries and illnesses. You can see they have no life in their eyes. They really deserve better, and any official who turns their back and walks away from this problem seriously doesn't have a heart.

Is there a local network that would be willing to show this video on television? I think it'd be good if as much people as possible are educated on what's going on behind the scenes. It sounds like many, many people buy dogs from this man, directly or indirectly. I feel the only way this puppymill, and others alike, will be destroyed is with power and perservearance. Honestly, how could the prosecutor say that this man isn't causing abuse to these dogs? It's just outright crazy, and makes me sick to the stomach.

Do we have permission to post these videos elsewhere (and the excerpt)? If so, who do we give credit to?

[Ritz459]

That is just awful. People don't care about where their dogs are from and as long as the dogs are bringing in money, they don't care about their conditions.
I don't see how anyone can keep ANY animal in those conditions, be it a hamster or a horse.

Is there a local network that would be willing to show this video on television?

I really don't know.

It makes me quiver with anger at the thought that the government/local councils sound like they're not doing much (or anything at all) to sort this problem out, which seems to be a major issue for concern.

They really could care less. I don't know about surrounding cities, but in Lafayette we don't even have an ordiance about keeping your dog chained 24/7 (or if there is one, it isn't enforced).

I've never even heard of most of the towns these puppymills are in, so I doubt the regulations on animal care are strict or enforced at all. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

It's extremely sad to see animals living in these horrid conditions, with injuries and illnesses. You can see they have no life in their eyes.

What is even worse is when you see them perk up for a moment when they see a person and then they just slowly slink back down to the cage floor with that dead look back in their eyes.

[PawNclaws]

Heart breaking, just heart breaking. I couldn't watch all of them, it's just so sad and makes me so angery. People who do this are not human, and I will refuse to call them anything, except who they really are : monsters.

[Tortilla]

That's terrible. Anything for a quick buck.

[Beryl]

This is so messed up. Again, a special place in H-ELL is reserved for some of these people.

[Dogsareme]

Thats repulsive! I could not watch far after that Shih Tzu. It looks so much like mine I just could not do it. I do not understand how people think when they do things like that.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

I want to throw up. What I don't understand is how anyone "Amish" would get into such a business. It would very much seem to go against their standards?

And, again, how anyone can turn their backs when they've seen this video and know this is going on. What type of fear holds them back? Why is IN so behind in animal welfare laws?

[Novel]

Swiftwind...
Unfortunately, this video says much about the government approach to dog breeding.


But, I am undecided. I do not want a government tellling me how to raise my dogs, because quite obviously, they have no idea how to successfully do anything. So, although I want to protect dogs, I do not want legislation that is going to prevent me from raising dogs properly and ethically, and so far the only proposed and ratified legislation out there hurts both kinds of breeders, the good and the bad.
My local all breed club has been meeting with state representatives in an attempt to explain to them what it means to be a good dog owner, btu I have to tell you, there are also other lobbying groups that want to see an end to all breeding, completely. And they have quite a bit of backing and are a strong force lobby group. It's scary.
Sometimes I don't know if I'll be able to do what I do now in ten years. It terrifies me and saddens me, but the dog owning public is losing ground day by day to other groups that see things differently than we do.

The Youtube videos are out there for everyone to see. Here is a link to the video producers profile and a list of their videos. YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

As far as getting the news to do something. The first video was given to a news agency, and they did do an investigation, but chose to do a story along different lines, on dog auctions instead. It was a step in the right direction.

The quote is from another forum and is located here.



TinyAlbinoDancer,
Unfortunately, to the best of my understanding, it does not go against their beliefs. Again, I understand their beliefs to say that animals were put on earth for their benefit, and it is exactly how they would raise cattle or chickens. It is also one of the most appealing industries because it means easy cash without payment to the government in taxes. Their other trades available to the public like harness making, vegetable, cabinetry, etc. will never supply them with the type of cash they can make off of selling puppies. So... until the day comes when people stop buying from pet shops, they will continue to raise aniimals in these conditions.


My sincere belief is that the public could stop all of these atrocities if they only knew what they were doing. If people stopped buying puppies from backyard breeders and puppy mills there would be no need for legistlation and no need for suffering. The public is responsible for these dog's misery and they are the ONLY ones who can stop it.

[Novel]

Watched this one tonight. I already knew this was the case but the video did a good job of putting it into a visual demonstration.

[PawNclaws]

Do you know if any of these can be placed on a website ? There are 2 that I would love to ad to my site, if possible.

[Novel]

PawsNClaws,
I looked for information on this... to give you a source to contact.
I guess I would try sending a message through YouTube. Here is a link.

[TinyAlbinoDancer]

But I thought the Amish were non-materialistic...like why are they trying to make so much money? What are they doing with it all?

Really, it's as bad as the people who fight dogs. It's the same total lack of care for an animal.

[Cassiepeia]

I think the large scale commercial breeding of dogs is what should be stopped. Although, this of course would mean that large kennels would probably just be split up into small ones, but still. In my ideal world, that's what would happen.

I agree with you though, Julie. People don't need more laws telling them how to breed...it's just a shame that without them no one who should be stopped, will ever be stopped. Because joe-public will never stop buying the petshop and byb pups. Never.

Cass.

[PawNclaws]

I have to agree, we don't need more laws. They seem to always target and affect the responsible and ethical breeders, which is total BS. The general puplic will not stop buying the Pet Shop puppy nor Bybr puppies because 1) Pet Store puppies *have* to be the best because they are so much and the store clerk said they get all of their puppies from "reputable" sorces - they are also "papered" , purebred or the lates designer dogs AND 2) Bybrs don't charge to much or they over price their puppies making statement A) they are cheaper but the breeder still says their dogs gave "Champion bloodlines and are AKC and health certified" OR B) their puppies are $1000, they *have to be* from the best quality- the breeder says their dogs is a gr.gr.gr. grandson of Ch. such and such. The male and female are both from "problem free and the best pedigrees". They guarantee their puppies free of genetic defects for 1 year, or for up to 5 years but you have to A) give the dog back to them or B) put the dog down to gets either 1) a refund or 2) another puppy of the same "quality" likely to have the same problems. The general puplic thinks all of this is OK because they simply don't know any better. These "breeders" fill their heads with so many "facts" that the general puplic ends up even more clueless then before. Ach, I guess I should get off my high horse and get to work lol.