Looksforgood, (11/4/2008 4:18:44 PM)

Please please call or write your congressman and let's get Oklahoma out of the puppy mill business. It's humiliaring for our state to let such things exist, and inhumane to allow animals to be treated like this. If we don't push for the proper legislation, then what can we expect but more of this happening. Think about the ones we never find out about because they are never inspected.

Graychin, Eucha (11/4/2008 7:45:05 AM)

DON'T BUY DOGS FROM DOG BREEDERS OR PET STORES!

Adopt a rescued dog instead.

If our legislature won't shut down these puppy mills, a consumer boycott is the next best thing.

ProudArmyWifey, (11/4/2008 7:46:36 AM)

This is why my family rescues and doesn't buy. This is horrid.

okie ridgerunner, small town (11/4/2008 8:38:31 PM)

This woman needs to be caged up. -- okla needs something like navada has, one of there prisons has what they call puppy parole which is really adoption, they take dogs in and take good care of them, they train them as family dogs, house break them and teach them what a dog should know, that they can. they groom them and worm them and give them all their shots. you can adopt them for $75.00 after they do all that needs to be done. you can check it out on there site at navada dept of corrections and go to state prisons. that is where some of okla prison inmates could do some good.

NAHERC, (11/4/2008 8:37:57 AM)

NAHERC - National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps.
During a disease outbreak or disaster, the size and scope of an incident can easily overwhelm local and State animal health resources and devastate animal agriculture. The National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps (NAHERC) is the nations largest emergency response organization designed to provide surge capacity and sustainment of Federal veterinary assistance during an event.
NAHERC assists the Federal and State response to domestic and international animal disease outbreaks, threats, or natural disasters. By applying to our announcement on the USAJOBS web site, you will be answering our call for help. Qualified applicants will have their name and credentials added to the NAHERC emergency roster. Once on this list, should our nation be faced with an emergency, you may be asked to serve. Participation is voluntary. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Sign up today!
Previously, NAHERC was activated and responded to the 2001 UK foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, the 2003 exotic Newcastle disease outbreak in California, and the 2002 low pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Virginia. When an animal health emergency occurs, having staff ready to provide an immediate response is necessary to protect both animals and humans in support of ongoing Federal efforts.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), NAHERC program is comprised of Veterinary Medical Officers (VMO), Animal Health Technicians (AHT), and veterinary medical students assimilated into an elite animal health and food defense force within the emergency management response community.

Please email all inquiries to EmergencyVMO@aphis.usda.gov

Lady Lawyer, (11/4/2008 8:03:41 AM)

Please, please, please adopt a rescue! There are dozens of great rescue groups in the area. There is no need to create more animals through breeding when so many wonderful ones need good homes. Do not encourage these unscrupulous breeders by buying their animals. If you absolutely must have a purebred -- which very few people should -- please use a reputable breeder who cares about bettering the breed, not producing mass quantities of it.

Lady Lawyer, (11/5/2008 8:27:14 AM)

It is probably true that these breeders are undercapitalized and let their operations get out of control. However, the simple fact is that if you cause an animal to come into being through breeding, you are responsible for it. When you cause dozens, or even hundreds of animals to come into being, you are responsible for them. These breeders need to be held accountable and the animals need to be rescued. It is simply untrue that rescue groups won't help puppy mill dogs. I know dozens of people who own puppy mill rescues, and my personal dog, whose history is a bit unknown, is probably a puppy mill rescue. These puppy mill breeders often do not screen for health issues, and puppy mill dogs can end up with deformities, no teeth, and other health problems. This causes needless suffering in the animals, and costly vet bills for the humans who ultimately own them. Please, save a life -- adopt a rescue. And call your Congressman.

entin43, (11/4/2008 1:11:14 PM)

The problem is that breeder lobbies, like the AKC who now makes most of its money registering puppy mill puppies, fight against any and all rules and laws.

They will all falsely claim they will be "hurt" by any regulation. They will tell any lie it takes to avoid regulation.

Also because they are hiding their big incomes and not paying taxes.

Puppy mills exist thanks to little to no regulation.

The farming industry too, which considers puppy mills a part of the farming industry, spends a lot of money to oppose laws.

People like this mill breeder will keep abusing and killing dogs unless a breeder licensing/inspection program is in place. Then we can track disease as well, which has been a big problem from these breeders. Also consumer fraud.

As far as USDA licensing goes, it is practically worthless. The USDA has enabled horrible abuse, and admits it can't handle the puppy mills.

There needs to be state regulation. The Feds can't cope with this!

(And I wonder if this particular breeder has been reporting her income and paying taxes? Most breeders don't)

entin43, (11/4/2008 1:13:22 PM)

Puppy mills don't just sell through pet shops. THey also sell through websites and classified ads.

It is even easier to hide the abuse and death if they sell online or through classifieds.

Bonasera the Undertaker, (11/4/2008 10:45:30 PM)

If we will adopt from rescue agencies, perhaps we can drive these money-grubbing-at-any-cost puppy millers out of business.

Bonasera the Undertaker, (11/5/2008 6:30:12 PM)

Jover, I might speak for a few others, who will agree that it isn't a matter of hating animals, but moreover, hating money-grubbing breeders who are bent on over-populating for the almighty dollar. Sell Avon, be a greeter at Wal-Mart. There are other ways to supplement incomes.

Bonasera the Undertaker, (11/5/2008 6:34:45 PM)

Just re-read your second post, Jover.....sounds like a plan. Become a breeder, and expect the local newspaper to finance your business while you rake it in. I've toyed with the idea of house-flipping, but only if TW will come help me. What?????

Jover, (11/5/2008 7:50:30 AM)

All Breeders are not bad.. But many of these condition you are seeing today in Oklahoma have been created by the media. Many people who raise dogs are retired people on fixed incomes trying to make a little money, (It is very hard to make money raising dogs, Nothing wrong with making money it's American to do so.)

For the past 18 months Oklahoma Breeders as well as breeders all across the country have been under attack, by special interest groups, misguided TV people and yellow journalism reporters like Omar... This attack has been the sole reason for the huge number of dogs over running the slaughter shelters nationwide.

Many small breeders who are poorly capitalized, have gone broke and we find the shelters will not accept any more dogs, so they try to hang on... The truth is there is "No One" to help if the dogs are hungry. Omar has no missed a meal...nor has Oprah... but the dogs are starving in over crowded kennels because people are afraid to buy a dog... If you can't sell them they must be fed and they must have shelter and vet care. But if you can't sell them there is no money. Omar, you are the bad guy in this one. you have the ability to ask for donations and go to the aid of these animals with food etc... but you choose to sit on you bottom and promote the wholesale slaughter of defenseless animals either form the economic conditions you have created or the support of the slaughter house of the humane society.

I think the Tulsa World should be held accountable for the financial and heartbreaking death toll and conditions they have created in Oklahoma kennels.

It is really a shame.... I am speechless at the hate towards animals and your fellow Oklahomans as demonstrated by the editor of this newspaper.

If you are touched by this tragedy, please contact the Tulsa World with your donations of money and or dog food to help Oklahoma breeders feed and care for their animals during this economic train wreck.

Jover, (11/5/2008 7:58:13 AM)

I have a plan for Omar and the Tulsa World.

They need to offer a kennel rescue plan.

The Tulsa World will pay for food and vet care initially of any breeder in Oklahoma needing help in reducing the number of dogs and or feeding and caring for them.

The dogs will remain on the property but people will be sent t help... So we need a few volunteers. To clean bath and fed the dogs.

Through agreement with the Kennel Rescue program ,, The Tulsa World will advertise the dogs to re-home them.

This a is a Win Win plan for the Breeders. the Dogs and for the people of Oklahoma. And for once we will see a concerned community working together to help the animals and their fellow Oklahomans.

My question is "Is the Tulsa World big enough to step up and help?"

golfwife, (11/4/2008 11:44:50 AM)

So often the dog or cat you desire is not available in the shelters or with rescues. Case in point, I wanted a specific dog of my dream. One that would be my life long friend and I searched 18 months without pause. Finally I found a family (Mom/Dad/3 children) that raised one litter a year in their home and I was just lucky enough to make contact with that family at the perfect time.

So when we are writing these laws we need to make sure we are not hurting this type of family.

Jolie, (11/4/2008 5:52:53 AM)

Don't lump all breeders into the same category. There are many caring, responsible dog breeders who keep their facilities clean and only breed one litter or two a year and give the adult dogs and pups excellent food, medical care, and attention.

Dogs should never be purchased from pet shops, which is where most of the puppy mill puppies end up. Take the time to get to know the breeder you are thinking of buying from and personally check out their facilities/homes and meet their dogs before committing to buy.

Adopting from shelters and rescue organizations is terrific, but for some who want an animal for a specific purpose such as hunting and want to train them from a pup, buying from a reputable breeder who knows what they are doing is a better idea.

We are now raising a pup we purchased at 8 weeks who is now 17 weeks old. She's very intelligent, healthy, and has a wonderful temperament and strong hunting instinct. (btw, the breeder works full time outside of the home. Showing, training, hunting with, and breeding her dogs are her family's passion and hobby) We also have adopted stray adult dogs whose owners could not be located and they are wonderful, friendly pets.

OKLA, (11/4/2008 6:40:51 AM)

All breeders should be licensed, subject to inspections, and specified facilities.

pirate, Mannford (11/4/2008 10:09:40 AM)

Adopt your next dog or cat from rescue groups or the shelter. Also, many of the adoption agencies in town need assistance - foster homes or just people to donate their time to help show the rescue animals on the weekend. Call and volunteer!!!!

Also, lets push to change the laws and push to enforce the laws.