CLARK CO.: PUPPY MILL CAPITOL OF WISCONSIN?
Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 -- 11:18 AM
Clark County has become Ground Zero for those fighting what many feel are inhumane conditions at mass dog breeding operations.Clark County has the most ?puppy mills? in the state, and it?s home to the largest single breeder in the state.
"Basically, it's the idea of churning out dogs one after another. They overbreed them all and they do it for money," says Jamie Paige, a news anchor at WQOW-TV in Eau Claire.
Paige has been on a personal crusade against mills ever since she adopted a Yorkie from the Clark County Humane Society. It turns out the animal was rescued from a mill.
Some operations are unsanitary. Most don?t have ample room for dogs to exercise. The close-quarters also lead to rampant disease and other health problems.
"One I went to in Clark County last week...we counted 98 kennels in this facility. Each one of these kennels housed about 3 or 4 adult dogs," Paige notes.
Puppy mill dogs rarely, if ever, go outside. They can spend three to six years raised this way, Paige says.
2,198 kennel licenses were issued in Clark County last year, with most going to just 18 addresses. The county is referred to as the "Puppy Mill Capitol of Wisconsin".
Paige is working with State Rep. Jeff Smith to try to craft legislation to better regulate the industry.
"What Jeff Smith is trying to do is pass a bill requiring more care for these dogs," she explains, "If you have more than 25 dogs, the state would come in and start regulating."
The Clark County Humane Society is organizing a protest at the Thorp Dog Auction at Horst Stables tomorrow. Protesters will meet at 9:30 at the Northside Park in Thorp.
[url=http://www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com/]Puppy Mill Project website[/url]
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