Stories by Omer Gillham, records and data analysis by Curtis Killman and research by Rachele Vaughan.
One year ago, the Tulsa World filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for records on Oklahoma’s dog breeding industry. The state ranks near the top nationally in the number of breeders and disturbing reports of neglect and abuse in puppy mills were not uncommon. With the growing popularity of Internet sales of purebred dogs -- particularly small breeds fetching top dollar on the coasts -- the World decided to dig deeper.
In a four-day series, the paper will explore issues including treatment, economics and oversight.
You can find the World’s database of inspection reports, related documents, photos, videos and all stories in the series here.
--- Ziva Branstetter, World projects editor
Oklahoma is a puppy mill state with some unscrupulous breeders neglecting their dogs, falsifying pedigree papers and knowingly selling animals with defects and diseases. Between 2003 and 2006, nearly 20,000 animals lived in unsanitary conditions and substandard pens or suffered from untreated health conditions.
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Puppies are big business in Oklahoma. One litter of Yorkshire terriers can bring up to $6,000 for a breeder.
While pet stores have nearly disappeared in the area, dozens of Web sites have cropped up promising quick delivery of puppies as young as eight weeks old. Some Internet buyers have been burned in the process and wound up with sick animals.
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For the past 15 years, Oklahoma lawmakers have neglected legislation that would have tamed puppy-mill operators while protecting consumers against unscrupulous breeders.
Oklahoma is one of the largest puppy producing states without state regulations for commercial breeders.
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Many breeders take the time to show love and care to their dogs. Meanwhile, organizations such as the American Kennel Club and the American Canine Association are trying to ensure breeders follow standards.
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Other Tulsa World Special Projects
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A Question of Care
Read all the stories in the investigative series on the state's child-care system and search a database of inspection reports. |
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Growing Old
Read all of World Project Editor Ziva Branstetter's recent three-part series looking into assisted living in Oklahoma. |
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