Animal Advocate Groups Rally for Puppy Mill Bill
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Dogs barked their message along with their human families Saturday, May 8, when animal lovers across the state gathered in Raleigh for the 2010 Puppy Mill Awareness Day.
Animal Advocates of Moore County (AAMC) members and canines were among the estimated 250 humans and 150 dogs attending the rally in Moore Park.
Victoria Stillwell, known for her television show "It's Me or the Dog," reported that so many states have shut down puppy mills that North Carolina has become the unintended repository of puppy mill operators looking for a more comfortable venue for their merchandise. She was one of several speakers participating in the rally.
Stillwell recommended that everyone wanting to adopt a pet look to a local shelter or other reputable nonprofit organization that rescues abandoned and lost animals.
Maureen Burke-Horansky, founder of AAMC, quoted Stillwell as warning against meeting any dog seller in a parking lot because the seller obviously does not want the buyer to venture inside the business to see personally the conditions in which the puppies were born and raised.
"Many adopters took their puppy mill rescues up on stage to explain their story, and they often moved the audience to tears," Horansky said.
The Moore County delegation brought along two rescued dogs.
Pooly Poo, a 16-year-old survivor, has undergone a series of surgeries and was with Annie Hallinan, who pushed her around in a stroller with a sign saying "I survived a puppy mill." Hallinan said Pooly spent 14 years confined to a wire cage, where she gave birth to more than 100 puppies. She was rescued from a puppy mill in Kansas.
Jet, an Aussie shepherd, also a puppy mill survivor, is now owned by foster "mom" Karen Richardson.
"We were amazed at the children in attendance," Horansky said. "They proudly wore their "No more puppy mill" T-shirts and had much more passion than any of the adults. They are the future and with the fervor they possess, when they become mayor, legislator, commissioner or rescuer, all animals will suddenly be brought out of darkness into light."
State Rep. Rick Glazier, a Fayetteville Demo-crat, was the only House member to attend the rally.
"He is fighting for the bill to be passed and was a blessing to everyone there," Horansky said.
Also addressing the group was state Sen. Don Davis, the Wayne County Democrat who introduced the puppy mill bill last year.
The bill, supported by AAMC and other animal rescue groups, is Senate Bill 460. It made progress through the Senate last year but was stalled in a House committee by the time the session ended. The bill is titled "an act to eliminate abusive practices and provide for the humane care and treatment of dogs and puppies by establishing standards for their care at commercial breeding operations, excluding kennels or establishments operated for the purpose of boarding or training hunting, sporting, herding, show or working dogs."
The rally closed with a short parade of puppy mill rescues. Two of the pups, including Pooly, appeared in a television segment on Channels 11 and 14.
Horansky said it was 91 degrees in Moore Park, and breezes were scarce. Volunteers filled tots' swimming pools with ice, which melted quickly but gave the dogs a welcome escape from the heat. The park has no water fountains, but participants brought along heavy cases of water bottles.
Contact Florence Gilkeson by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.
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Comments
None 3 years ago
As a voter in Moore County I recoil at the thought of Harris Blake and Jamie Boles continuing to represent the interest of national organizations as opposed to the concerned citizens of this community. The NRA and hunting groups have made their feelings known and swayed votes. The reason:The National Rifle Association's opposition to a bill on puppy mills.
The gun rights group e-mailed supporters in North Carolina urging them to call state legislators considering a bill to regulate commercial dog breeding sponsored by two Democrats and two Republicans.
The e-mail argues the bill is "part of the same old lie" by the Humane Society of the United States, which it says wants to eventually ban all hunting in America.
"Kennel owners who own and train hunting dogs will be hauled into court under the provisions of the legislation and will be forced, at great cost, to put forward an affirmative defense pursuant to the exception," the e-mail says.
It argues that if the House bill is passed, the Humane Society will be back "with even more radical proposals like this."
Blake and Boles have turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to the concerns of animals lovers who they say they represent...and it goes back to what my grandmother used to say about politician's lying, "when you see their lips moving". I have written on several blogs where legislation could be revenue neutral with the cost shared by those who breed-for-sale. Anyone who would have an interest in the Davidson County raid where hundreds of dogs were removed from yet another unscrupulous breeder who had cages stacked with waste coating the wire cages, the animals below, and matting the fur to the extent that many animals had to be shaved in an effort to treat them for various diseases. Several breeding dogs had to be "killed", because their injuries were not treatable.
Way to go supporters of Boles and Blake...they surely have their own agenda's not to include the people of Moore County.
GoldenDreams 3 years ago
Toda, it is great to have you back! Thanks for sharing information about politicians and their views about animal concerns. The more we know, the better. Even if you change one heart, you have done a great thing. Thanks and welcome back!
SCCstudent 3 years ago
To interested bloggers: Link to Wayne County Raid ~ no extra charge for tissue. http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6644924
Shouldn't we paste a picture to Blake and Boles campaign signs so that everyone can get a glimpse of our representatives and who they don't represent?
coffecreme 3 years ago
Well they both appeared at the Tea Party Rally at the Pinehurst Municipal Building. I guess that is telling who they represent.
SCCstudent 3 years ago
@coffecreme => yes anyone with a checkbook and wants to be recognized as a political insider with connections. I will never support or endorse either one of them, and should you ask me my opinion, I'll tell you how they voted down HB 460 due to influence by the NRA.
Doesn't anyone wonder why the talking heads in Carthage hum to the same drum beat as Blake and Boles when it comes to hunting deer with dogs, locking dogs in metal boxes for hours on end, and supporting the caging of animals for years in the worst inhumane conditions imaginable.
Toda posted a thread on WTVD link on FD and explained how the state could pass revenue neutral legislation and protect the interest of legitimate breeders, pet shops who buy from puppy mill operators, and consumers who buy pets through those stores. But Blake and Boles only count the number of NRA members as opposed to pet owners. Stay silent on this issue and it will go away ~ that's what Boles and Blake are counting on!
Amazed 3 years ago
but I thought the bill...as I read from the article would exclude hunting dogs and working dogs and show dogs...: The bill is titled "an act to eliminate abusive practices and provide for the humane care and treatment of dogs and puppies by establishing standards for their care at commercial breeding operations, excluding kennels or establishments operated for the purpose of boarding or training hunting, sporting, herding, show or working dogs."
Why would they (Boles and Blake) be against this if they are representing their 'hunting' supporters? Sorry, not trying to be annoying, i just am unclear about this bill...would love clarification from anyone willing to give it.
None 3 years ago
@Amazed: If you read my first post [May 16, 2010 at 1:13 p.m.], I tried to explain the connection between the NRA and North Carolina Legislators. The NRA's position focuses on government intervention into how their dogs are bred, housed, and treated. let me quote here: "Kennel owners who own and train hunting dogs will be hauled into court under the provisions of the legislation and will be forced, at great cost, to put forward an affirmative defense pursuant to the exception," the e-mail says."
NRA membership doesn't want any laws regulating how they conduct their business or treat their animals. Here is one link of many that will provide a better overview of the puppy mill issue. http://www.news-record.com/content/2010/04/18/article/puppy_mill_bill_stalled_in_raleigh
Please take time to understand the ramifications of non-passage of this important legislation. I will gladly provide any information or links to anyone who asks....Thank you for your time to respond and your thoughts are welcomed.
None 3 years ago
For those who may have an interest, opposing views and active legislation targeting several states especially Pennsylvania.
Don't cry ~ ~ get mad! - As much as I am with Boles and Blake who sold out the puppies being breed in puppy mills in North Carolina!!!
http://www.opposingviews.com/p/humane-society-takes-on-nra-and-puppy-mill-apologists
None 3 years ago
Here's another link for increasing ones' knowledge about puppy mills across the country and issues with effecting legislation.
http://www.facebook.com/notes/columbus-dog-connection/puppy-mill-bill-update/142688994926
blessherheart 3 years ago
I think Jamie Boles is a kind, generous and thoughtful man. This totally baffles me in regards to him. He should have stayed out of politics and continue to do what he does best, which is assisting people with their end of life decisions whether it be for them or their loved ones. There is no one better.
AnimalLover 3 years ago
Thanks for the information, Toda. It's high time we break this mentality that one must use hunting dogs to hunt deer anyway. And, this just gives me one more reason to prove my philosophy that the NRA is far too big, and has way too much power. They use the same type of scare tactics as the Republican Party. The old "liberals have an agenda to separate us from our weapons" hype, when there is no such threat. They are apparently attempting to employ these same scare tactics regarding puppy mills. Pathetic! All I would ask them is, "Who is the one doing the lying here?"
None 3 years ago
@blessherheart ~ no arguement here. Jamie should have stayed out of politics. He's following Linda's footsteps. I would never have thought Jamie would be so inconsiderate when it comes to animals. One has to keep in mind that it's all about politics and who greases the political wheels.
The vote is supposed to come back to the floor in this session. Perhaps animal lovers could have more of an impact than NRA members. I cannot support or endorse anyone who has such little respect for animals. Obviously there are many Moorecountians who value their support over the innocent lives of little animals...so sad.
None 3 years ago
@AnimalLover: THANK YOU - THANK YOU. Please employ like minded individuals to support passage of HB 460. Rest assured, the NRA will pay for Boles and Blakes votes again....
AnimalLover 3 years ago
Puppy mills are harbingers of animal abusers. And animal abuse should be a FELONY! When will our representatives realize that animal abusers are 5 TIMES MORE LIKELY to abuse people? Studies have proven this fact over and over. This issue should NOT be fodder for PACs that only want to further their warped agendas!