Wisconsin's Puppy Mill History: The Journey from Tragedy to Regulation

"Puppy Hell" by Mary Van de Kamp Nohl is dated 1/1/2009, provides a fascinating historical account of Wisconsin's history as a haven for Amish dog "farmers," migrants from Pennsylvania. A link to the original article is below the exerts.

"...Some of the worst puppy mills are operated by Pennsylvania Dutch-speaking Amish and Mennonites, many of whom have moved to Wisconsin because state regulations are much laxer here. “Pennsylvania used to be the puppy mill capital of the world,” says Carol Sumbry of the Elmbrook Humane Society. “But we have pretty much rolled out the welcome mat for them here in Wisconsin.

"...Many mills operate without regard for sound breeding practices or the dogs’ physical and emotional health. The result is often sick puppies and “breeder” dogs that live a miserable existence in horrific conditions. The puppy mills often operate in near-secret, part of an underground economy, and pay no taxes. They defraud consumers, who are left with costly veterinary bills when they unwittingly buy badly bred dogs and suffer considerable emotional heartache.

"...Dr. Yvonne Bellay, the state’s highest-ranking veterinarian, told the legislature last year that “Wisconsin is one of the few states without any laws regulating large-scale dog-breeding operations that sell directly to consumers.”

Puppy Hell: Milwaukee Magazine, January 2009

AB-250: The good news... Finally, legislation has passed to regulate the Wisconsin dog industry. AB-250 (the Commercial Dog Breeders Li censure Bill) also ensures that breeders apply for license, and submit to a facility inspection every 2 years in order to renew this license. This bill also prohibits selling a dog before it is seven weeks of age. Most dogs who are separated from their mother before seven weeks of age display negative behavior such as aggression and nervousness. The bill requires licensees to provide dogs with adequate food, water, veterinary care, shelter, and opportunity for exercise.
A summary of the Bill AB-250

Rep. Jeff Smith asked that the vote be dedicated to Wilbert Ribbens, who passed away the day before the public hearing on this bill. Mr. Ribbens was a great animal lover whose letter to his daughter about a sick, sad pet store puppy over 10 years ago laid the groundwork for the Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project and.

How to Reach Public Officials : (taken from the article Puppy Hell)

This website provides a tool for identifying your legislators and provides contact information.

The Wisconsin governor can be reached at: Gov. Jim Doyle, Office of the Governor, 115 E. State Capitol, Madison, Wis., 53702. Via telephone at 608-266-1212. Or via e-mail through this webform.

Welcome home, Susie.

Last night I picked up Susie, my first rescue dog frm the the Boston Terrier Rescue coordinator in Sussex. She was going to be dropped off at my home, but the coordinator had been all over Wisconsin that day, so I offered to get her myself. When we arrived to pick her up, Susie was in her crate. She exited it meekly, so scared, nervous. She was bigger than I expected, and very cute. I took mental notes of instructions for her, and we headed home. She was in her crate, and all the while we talked to her. I knew this was going to be a rewarding challenge.

When we got home, Sean carried the crate inside and we let her out into her (and our) new house. Once again, meekly she slinked out, keeping her body low to the ground. I thought she must have to pee- so I tried to take her outside. "Oh yes, this is a frightened dog," I realized more fully, as I carried her down the front steps. We got outside and I set her down, she frooze- nose in the air, nostrils flapping wildly. She was totally overwhelmed. The traffic, the people shouting next door, the neighbor's band playing... all things I have learned to ignore. It was too much for her. She would not move, let alone pee. I carried her back into the house.

Back inside the house things were much easier for her. She is very affectionate and while she does not ask for it like other dogs, she wants attention. She is not intrusive and wants to be in the background. As the night went on, I put her on my chest so she could sleep very close to me. She really enjoyed this. She is truly a wonderful creature.

I will continue to update this blog with her progress. It will be interesting to see how she grows for me, and this blog will also prove interesting to her future owners. This should also prove interesting to anyone who has ever wondered about the cruelties of puppy mills, and in this particular instance, an Amish puppy mill located in Clark County, Wisconsin.