Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Stand by! "The Petland Bills" are not dead just yet


STAND BY! Although “The Petland Bills” did not have enough votes for a third reading in the house today, we will have to keep a close eye on them! The bills, HB5917/HB5916, will not be officially ‘dead’ until the session ends in December. The bill sponsor, Rep. Hank Vaupel could still try to push the bills through before the summer recess which is likely to end early June. Legislators will return to Lansing in September.

http://puppymillawarenessmichigan.blogspot.com/2018/05/for-immediate-release-may-7-2018.html

If the bills do have a third reading in the House and have all the votes needed, they still need to pass through the Senate. There is a lame duck session after the Nov 6th elections, so we may be busy then too.

In the meantime, I would like to thank all the organizations that took action this month with helpful Action Alerts.  We were told the representatives were receiving a lot of phone calls! Every call, meeting and email counted!

Special thanks to the following organizations and individuals:

  1. Best Friends Animal Society MI: Protections for pets and consumers are in jeopardy.

  2. Michigan Pet Fund AllianceALERT! "The Petland Bills" passed out of committee on Wednesday 

  3. Humane Society of the United States. Michigan, dogs need your voice

  4. ASPCA Michigan: Don’t Let Puppy Mills Write Your Laws! 5/17/18
    Michigan Humane Society 
  5. Pound Buddies 
  6. Humane Society of Huron Valley
  7. Harley’s Heroes of West Michigan 
  8. All About Animals

  9. Michigan Political Action Committee for Animals

  10. West Michigan Humane Society
  1. Harley’s Dream Puppy Mill ACTION ALERT Michigan Residents HarleysDreamorg
  2. Virginia Holden – Letters to the Editor
    Legislators should vote ‘no’ on cruelty
    Don’t be fooled by deceptive tactics
  3. Molly Tamulevich’s blog was published in Bridges Magazine
    Opinion | Can
    Michigan at least agree to protect puppies? Apparently not.

    Molly also created a video blog:
  1. Eastpointe Council Member: Cardi DeMonaco Jr. provided a quote for our Press Release.

  2. Genesee County Commissioner: Drew Shapiro for championing a resolution to oppose the bills.

  3. Macomb County Animal Control Director: Jeff Randazzo for championing the Macomb County resolution to oppose the bill.

  4. Pet-A-Palooza Adoption Event Organizer: Joe Sowerby for coordinating Macomb opposition. 
The following individuals submitted written testimony opposing the bills.

  1. Jennifer Measel
  2. Animal Welfare Institute.
  3. Dr. Akshay Verma DVM
  4. Michigan Humane Society.
  5. Lindsay Larris Esq. Animal Legal Defense Fund
  6. Elizabeth Oreck, Best Friends Animal Society
  7. Sonnie Bryant-Bebard
  8. Bee Friedlander, representing Attorney’s for Animals.
  9. Pam Sordyl, representing Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan.
  10. Michelle Spranger, representing the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance.
  11. Amy Jesse, representing the Humane Society of the United States. 
Link to testimony
The following individuals provided testimony during the House Agriculture Committee Meeting 

  1. Jennifer Measel, representing herself.
  2. Jen Rigterink, representing the Michigan Municipal League
  3. Bee Friedlander, representing Attorney’s for Animals
  4. Trudy Ender, representing the Humane Society of West Michigan
  5. Lana Carson, representing the Pound Buddies Animal Shelter
  6. Pam Sordyl, representing Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan.
  7. Michelle Spranger, representing the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance.
  8. Amy Jesse, representing the Humane Society of the United States.
  9. Carol Darby, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bills. 
Link to videos

The following people attended the House Agriculture Committee Meeting and submitted a card in opposition to the bills:

  1. Lindsay Larris, representing the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
  2. Cheryl Gault, representing the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance.
  3. Anne Armstrong, representing herself.
  4. Julie Duke, representing herself.
  5. Joan Fox, representing herself.
  6. Sonnie Bryant-Bedard, representing herself.
  7. Akshay Verma, DVM, representing himself.
  8. Earl Darby, representing himself.
  9. Nancy Shankin and Coyote Windsong, representing Harley’s Dream.
  10. Teresa Ancrile, representing herself.
  11. Emily Bowman, representing herself.
  12. Shelly Pinter, representing the Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary.
  13. Sheri Westerhot, representing Mid Michigan Doodles.
  14. Thomas Lyon, representing himself.
  15. Kelly McLaughlin, representing Bark Nation.
  16. Margaret Farrell, representing herself.
  17. Joelle Hornbeck, representing herself.
  18. Riley White, representing herself.
  19. Nikki Leonard, representing herself.
  20. Jen Clarkson, representing herself.
  21. Patti Lundy, representing the Animal Placement Bureau.
  22. Anne Armstrong, representing Harley’s Heroes.
  23. Ann Griffin, representing the Michigan Humane Society.
  24. Shalee Miedema, representing herself.
  25. Jennifer Measel, representing herself.
  26. Vicki Deisner, representing the Animal Welfare Institute. 

I hope I didn't forget anyone. This list will continue to grow if the bills move.

Thanks everyone who made any sacrifices to fight these bills. This all is backfiring on Petland as we are now having intense public debate about the puppy pet trade with elected officials.


Link to Fact Sheet.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Nine more families file lawsuit against Novi Pet Store

Two dozen families claim Petland Novi knowingly sold puppies 

with genetic issues, illnesses and disease from substandard breeders
violating the Consumer Protection Act 


PRESS RELEASE: April 27, 2018

CONTACT: Pam Sordyl, 734-828-1400, pmamichinfo@yahoo.com

NOVI, MICHIGAN – On April 20th, 2018 a second lawsuit was filed against Petland, located in the Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, MI. Nine additional plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages for breach of contract and multiple violations of the Consumer Protection Act.

In February, seventeen plaintiffs filed a lawsuit after purchasing puppies from the store. 

The puppies suffered from a range of issues, including genetic defects, infections and some had highly contagious diseases, costing the plaintiffs thousands of dollars in veterinary care.

This new lawsuit was also filed at the Oakland County Circuit Court and assigned to Judge Hala Jarbou.

Both complaints also allege fraud, claiming the store and its owner knowingly sold animals with deformities and illnesses, as well as misrepresenting the origins of the animals.  In many cases, after investigating the documents provided by Petland upon purchase, the animals were found to have been bred in horrific conditions by commercial breeders who many allege are well known “puppy mill” owners.

The Plaintiffs for both lawsuits are represented by attorney Jennifer Measel of Haas & Goldstein, P.C., a Farmington Hills based law firm which recently prevailed in similar pet store retail fraud cases in Mt. Clemens, Mich.

Those wanting to add a pet to their household are encouraged to adopt from their local shelter or Michigan Certified foster-based animal rescue organization - many of whom specialize in specific breeds.

To follow the progress of the Petland Novi cases, click below
(Case Number 2018-163984-CZ and 2018-165230-CZ)

Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan is a grassroots organization dedicated to ending commercial breeding "puppy mills" and protecting families from puppy peddlers, pet stores and bad breeders by lobbying for stronger laws, setting up information booths, completing research studies and launching pet store campaigns.

Learn more about Puppy Mill Awareness

Links to prior media coverage:

Petland sold sick, worm-infested puppies, lawsuit claims

Novi Petland sued for allegedly selling diseased and sick puppies
The Oakland Press 03/14/18

Lawsuit says Novi Petland sells unhealthy puppies
Local 4 March 16, 2018

Couple says Novi Petland sold them sick dog that had to be put down
FOX 2 Detroit MAR 16 2018



#


Monday, May 21, 2018

(PRESS RELEASE) Genesee County Passes Resolution Opposing HB5917/5916 - Pro Puppy Mill Bills


For Immediate Release

May 21, 2018

Genesee and Macomb County Commissions pass resolutions opposing legislation that preempts local control of animal welfare and consumer protection ordinances

The Genesee County Commission has just voted in favor of a resolution opposing HB 5916/5917, two bills in the Michigan legislature that would protect cruel puppy mills and their pet store sales outlets. Last week, the Macomb County Commission passed a similar Resolution No. R18-1569, resolving that “…the Macomb County Board of Commissioners opposes House Bills 5916/5917 and wishes to allow the local communities to enact their own guidelines for pet shop sales, making it easier to prevent sales from commercial breeding facilities that are not properly caring for animals…”
Genesee County is home to the Flint outlet of the pet store chain The Family Puppy, which has joined with pet industry lobbyists to push the highly controversial bills through the legislature. Three Macomb County localities, Eastpointe, Fraser, and New Baltimore, have passed ordinances in recent years that prohibit the sale of puppy mill puppies.

Genesee County officials are proud to speak out against this ill-advised and dangerous legislation, which would prevent local officials from making decisions to protect animal welfare and consumers in their jurisdiction,” said Drew Shapiro, a member of the Genesee County Commission. “Michigan legislators should reject HB 5916/5917 and trust local governments to make the right decisions to protect the citizens of their counties.”

HB 5916/5917, referred to as “the Petland bills” after the Petland store chain—the legislation’s primary backer—would allow pet stores in Michigan to continue sourcing from large-scale, inhumane commercial breeding facilities and to continue to sell sick puppies to the public, while at the time stripping cities, towns, and counties in the state of the authority to address this issue. The bills have passed the House Agriculture Committee and now await a vote on the House floor, which could happen as early as Tuesday, May 22.

HB 5916/5917 are an attack on local control and animal welfare, and are being met with strong opposition from the pet-loving population of Michigan. Organizations that have testified in opposition to HB 5916/5917 include:

  1. Michigan Municipal League 
  2. Michigan Humane Society (Bingham Farms, MI)
  3. Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan (Northville, MI)
  4. Michigan Friends of Companion Animals Coalition
  5. Capital Area Humane Society (Lansing, MI)
  6. Animal Placement Bureau (Lansing, MI)
  7. Pound Buddies Animal Shelter and Adoption Center (Muskegon, MI)
  8. Humane Society of West Michigan (Grand Rapids, MI)
  9. Humane Society of Huron Valley (Ann Arbor, MI)
  10. Kalamazoo County Humane Society (Kalamazoo, MI)
  11. Harbor Humane Society (West Olive, MI)
  12. Great Lakes Humane Society
  13. Attorneys for Animals (Canton, MI)
  14. Michigan Pet Fund Alliance (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
  15. Michigan Political Action Committee for Animals
  16. Carol’s Ferals (Grand Rapids, MI)
  17. The Humane Society of the United States – MI
  18. ASPCA
  19. Best Friends Animal Society (Utah)
  20. Animal Welfare Institute
  21. Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary (Willis, MI)
  22. Waggin' Tail Dog Rescue (Northville, MI)
  23. Bark Nation (Wixom, MI)
  24. Dog Aide (White Lake, MI)
  25. Voiceless-MI 
  26. Hayes and Friends (Mt. Clemens, MI)
  27. Akshay Verma, DVM
  28. Harley’s Dream
  29. Harley’s Heroes of West Michigan
  30. Happy Hearts Feline Rescue
  31. Barry County Humane Society (Hastings, MI
  32. Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit (Dearborn, MI)
  33. Midwest Rabbit Rescue & Re-Home (Canton, MI)
  34. Macomb County Animal Control
  35. All About Animals (Warren, Auburn Hills, Flint, MI)
  36. Kalamazoo Humane Society (Kalamzaoo, MI)
                                                                    Media contacts:

                                                                    Pam Sordyl, Founder of Michigan Friends of Companion Animals and Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan 734-718-7100

                                                                    Drew Shapiro, Genesee County Commissioner District 6 810-730-9285


                                                                    #

                                                                    Monday, May 7, 2018

                                                                    Citizens to rally at Michigan capitol to urge lawmakers to reject pro-puppy mill bills


                                                                    For Immediate Release

                                                                    May 7, 2018

                                                                    Citizens to rally at Michigan capitol to urge lawmakers to reject pro-puppy mill bills

                                                                    Concerned citizens, animal sheltering and animal control professionals, and animal protection groups from across the state will assemble at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing on Wednesday, May 9 to rally in opposition to legislation that would protect cruel puppy mills and their pet store sales outlets.
                                                                    The day will start at 9:30 am in the lobby of the Anderson House Office Building at 124 North Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI. Participants will then proceed to the House Agriculture Committee hearing at 10:00 am on the 3rd Floor in room 347, and afterwards will meet with their own legislators to urge them to oppose the bills.

                                                                    Those in attendance will include:

                                                                    1. Michigan Humane Society (Bingham Farms, MI)
                                                                    2. Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan (Northville, MI)
                                                                    3. Michigan Friends of Companion Animals Coalition
                                                                    4. Capital Area Humane Society (Lansing, MI)
                                                                    5. Humane Society of West Michigan (Grand Rapids)
                                                                    6. Pound Buddies Animal Shelter and Adoption Center (Muskegon, MI)
                                                                    7. Attorneys for Animals (Canton, MI)
                                                                    8. Michigan Pet Fund Alliance (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
                                                                    9. Harley’s Heroes of West Michigan
                                                                    10. Carol’s Ferals (Grand Rapids, MI)
                                                                    11. The Humane Society of the United States – MI
                                                                    12. Great Lakes Rabbit Sanctuary (Willis, MI)
                                                                    13. Waggin' Tail Dog Rescue (Northville, MI)
                                                                    14. Bark Nation (Wixom, MI)
                                                                    15. Dog Aide (White Lake, MI)

                                                                    HB 5916/5917, referred to as “the Petland bills” after the legislation’s primary backer, would allow pet stores in Michigan to continue sourcing from large-scale, inhumane commercial breeding facilities and to continue to sell sick puppies to the public, while at the time stripping cities, towns, and counties in the state of the authority to address this issue. Three existing ordinances that prohibit the sale of puppy mill puppies that have been passed in Eastpointe, Fraser, and New Baltimore would be voided as a result of this legislation. 
                                                                    HB 5916/5917 are an attack on local control and animal welfare, and are being met with strong opposition from the pet-loving population of Michigan.

                                                                    There is a movement across the nation to prohibit the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores. Maryland lawmakers unanimously approved such a measure last month, joining California and over 260 localities across 20 states.

                                                                    “We believe this legislation does not protect animals, leaves the door open to continued sourcing from puppy mills in pet shops, and further hinders our ability to work with local municipalities toward legislation on behalf of the animals we care so deeply about, “ said Matt Pepper, President & Chief Executive Officer Michigan Humane Society.

                                                                    “HB5916 suggests that pet stores will have more regulations and puppy buyers will have full access to breeder information, but the real problems happen long before the puppies arrive in the stores,” said Pam Sordyl, founder of Michigan Friends of Companion Animals and Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan. “No amount of enforcement in Michigan is going to ensure that breeders follow the highest standards when breeding or provide expensive veterinary care necessary in large-scale operations. Puppies from the industry’s new showcase kennels are still arriving with many abnormalities including generic issues as a result of poor breeding. "

                                                                    “Our shelter’s dedicated animal care professionals have seen firsthand the suffering that is the result of the large-scale breeding of dogs for the pet industry,” said Trudy Ender, Executive Director of the Humane Society of West Michigan in Grand Rapids. “As a result, we support efforts by citizens in west Michigan to stop the sale of puppies in pet stores, and to promote the adoption of rescued animals instead. HB 5916/5917 is a step in the wrong direction and goes against the wishes of the people of Michigan who oppose the cruelty of puppy mills.”

                                                                    “HB5917 is strategically designed to undo all of our work to protect families and open the door to inhumane kennels,” said Cardi DeMonaco Jr., an Eastpointe City Council Member. “It is hard imagine my council will not even be allowed to prevent roadside stands or parking lot sellers from peddling puppies in Eastpointe. I wanted Eastpointe to be a model city promoting only humane ways to bring pets into the family. Times are changing and our ordinance reflects our values as a community which should stay on the books.” 

                                                                    Media contacts:

                                                                    Matt Pepper, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Humane Society 248-283-5661

                                                                    Pam Sordyl, Founder of Michigan Friends of Companion Animals and Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan 734-718-7100

                                                                    Cardi DeMonaco Jr., Eastpointe Council Member 586-744-3864

                                                                    Trudy Ender, Executive Director of the Humane Society of West Michigan 616-258-4076

                                                                    #

                                                                    I urge you to oppose H.B. 5917 "The Petland Bill"

                                                                    Chairman and House Agriculture Committee Members,

                                                                    As Founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of SE Michigan and Michigan Friends of Companion Animals, I urge you to oppose H.B. 5917 and H.B. 5916 for the following reasons:

                                                                    1. H.B. 5917 would undermine local laws. In response to growing concern for the welfare of animals trapped in puppy mills, dog lovers have adopted two legal strategies to fight back: stricter laws for breeders (such as Michigan’s Large Scale Breeder law) and local ordinances banning the sale of puppies in pet stores. The latter is what Representative Vaupel and the industry lobbyists who are behind these bills are trying to prevent. Over 260 localities across the nation have enacted ordinances preventing the sale of commercially produced puppies in pet stores. Some of these include: Cook County Illinois, New York City, the entire state of California and Maryland, and the Michigan cities of Eastpointe, Fraser, and New Baltimore.
                                                                    2. These are not animal welfare bills. On the surface, they masquerade as animal welfare, pledging to protect puppies by guaranteeing that they are purchased from “USDA licensed breeders” with no current inspection violations. It sounds good on paper, but closer analysis reveals that this standard is nearly impossible to enforce.

                                                                    1. These bills would not require pet store licensing or inspections. Michigan pet stores are not currently licensed or inspected by any agency.

                                                                    2. Local enforcement of the pet stores is not going to ensure breeders in distant states follow the highest standards when breeding. The real problems lie at the commercial kennels and happen long before the puppies arrive in the stores. Poor breeding practices and lack of veterinary care are two of the biggest problems that are not easily fixed with more regulations. In fact, puppies arriving into Michigan from the industry’s new “showcase” kennels have many abnormalities listing on their health certificates, including generic issues as a result of poor breeding (see list below).

                                                                    3. Rep. Mike McCready (R) already updated Act 287 of 1969 PET SHOPS, DOG POUNDS, AND ANIMAL SHELTERS just last session. The bill was championed by the Michigan Humane Society and supported by the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association and the Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers. The Michigan Department of Agriculture provided supportive testimony. The new regulations went into effect January 2017.



                                                                    Michigan’s Humane Pet Acquisition Ordinance

                                                                    In 2015, I formed a coalition called Michigan Friends of Companion Animals to specifically address the problems our communities have with retail outlets where families can not see the conditions and meet the breeding parents (site unseen purchases). We have collected hundreds of complaints from families who purchased sick puppies. 

                                                                    The owner of The Family Puppy, John Stottele, testified at the 05/02/18 House Agriculture Committee meeting stating “he was not aware of any complaints”, yet we know this is not true.  NBC 25 covered a story about a puppy that was purchased from the store with many health problems.

                                                                    “The owner says he's worked with his breeders to ensure happy, healthy dogs. But one of his customers claims her new puppy almost died three times.

                                                                    This spring Davison Resident Linda Dahl bought Tegan, a Shiatsu Toy Poodle from The Family Puppy Store at the Genesee Valley Mall.

                                                                    "So then the next day she got really sick, she kept going into these seizures and couldn't walk," said new puppy owner, Linda Dahl.

                                                                    After six doctor TMs visits and more than $1,000 in medical bills, Tegan is finally on the road to recovery.

                                                                    Dahl says she complained to the store manager. "I called them out on it, and I said one, you sold me a sick dog, if she has an infection, there has to be other dogs in there with an infection, where did she get it from? And they couldn't give me an answer," said Dahl.

                                                                    The Family Puppy’s breeders had serious direct violations to the Animal Welfare Act.

                                                                    1) Marlin Bontrager, from Rome City Indiana, was The Family Puppy’s top supplier of puppies. According to a federal inspection, Bontrager was caging 177 adult dogs and had two serious direct violations including not seeking veterinary care for a sick puppy. Suffering was prolonged by not taking the puppy to the veterinarian. In addition, the inspector also cited Bontrager for housing dogs in temperatures in the 90’s. Dogs were observed heavily panting and puppies were stretched out on the wire floor trying to stay cool.  Bontrager has a history of violations going back to 2008 related to housing, shelter, primary enclosures, cleanliness, feeding and vet care.









                                                                    2) Devon Schrock, another of The Family Puppy’s breeders, was cited for accumulations of grime and hair in the primary enclosures. This harbors diseases. In addition, Schrock’s drainage system was cited as the upper washdown was draining into a pen on the bottom where two dogs were exposed. There was hair and sludge accumulating.

                                                                    The owner of Petland did not testify last week, however there are two active lawsuits against his store located in the Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, MI. Twenty-four plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages for breach of contract and multiple violations of the Consumer Protection Act.  The puppies suffered from a range of issues, including genetic defects, infections and some had highly contagious diseases, costing the plaintiffs thousands of dollars in veterinary care. The lawsuits also allege fraud, claiming the store and its owner knowingly sold animals with deformities and illnesses, as well as misrepresenting the origins of the animals. 



                                                                    Detroit Free Press Published March 19, 2018 

                                                                    The Oakland Press 03/14/18

                                                                    Local 4 March 16, 2018

                                                                    FOX 2 Detroit MAR 16 2018




                                                                    To protect families from these large-box stores, like The Family Puppy and Petland, I worked jointly with law enforcement in Macomb County to draft the Humane Pet Acquisition Proposal which was unanimously supported by the Macomb County and Kent County Commissioners. Both counties urged their local communities to pass retail bans and promote humane outlets. 

                                                                    The enormous success of local ordinances like mine across the country explains the secrecy, speed, and deceptive language of HB5916/HB5917. Michigan has a vocal, efficient, community of activists who have been tackling problematic pet stores for years.

                                                                    The new Petland Coalition was created to fight local bans

                                                                    In response to local ordinances and state laws banning the retail sale of commercial bred puppies, Petland formed a coalition in an attempt to improve the industry’s image and fight local retail bans. They had to! Petland is losing the public debate, and the evidence against Petland is compelling. The Petland Mall of Georgia mentions a new coalition on their website:

                                                                    “That’s why we formed a coalition to improve animal welfare and work in a collaborative effort with a cross section of the pet industry, including animal welfare organizations as well as the veterinarian and academic community. 

                                                                    Who exactly is a part of this coalition?

                                                                    1. Levi Graber (Blue Ribbons Puppies), Petland’s broker.
                                                                    2. Purdue University Center for Animal Welfare
                                                                    3. Will Yoder (Blue Ribbon Puppies), consultant to Southern Iowa breeders.
                                                                    4. Iowa Pet Breeder Association, Iowa Kennel Alliance Program (IKAP) linking many stakeholders such as AKC, breeders, brokers, and transport companies. 
                                                                    There is no evidence that animal welfare groups are part of this coalition.

                                                                    Puppy Broker, Levi Graber (Odon, IN) owns Blue Ribbon Puppies and is no stranger to the puppy pet trade. He was featured in Channel 13’s investigative story exposing Indiana’s Puppy Pipeline in 2007.

                                                                    Graber is a large stakeholder and he regularly speaks at city council meetings and state legislatures to fight off retail bans and regulations that would protect families from irresponsible puppy peddlers.


                                                                    Graber was featured in a recent article outlining plans the pet industry had to improve its reputation.

                                                                    Amish aim to restore dog breeding rep (
                                                                    May 22, 2016)
                                                                    “When some people think of dog breeding in the Amish community, images appear of puppy mills full of unhappy and mistreated dogs.

                                                                    Amish breeders in the state want to change that, and they're reaching out for help.

                                                                    Commercial breeders from Odon — a Southern Indiana town with a large Amish population — are working with Purdue University's Center for Animal Welfare Science to establish breeding practices that make consumers and dogs happy.”

                                                                    "It was time that we as breeders recognize that there are professionals out there that can help us and we need to involve them in our businesses," said Levi Graber, a member of Odon's Amish community who helps several breeders in the area.

                                                                    Will Yoder, a consultant working for Blue Ribbon Puppies, helped coordinate efforts in southern Iowa. Yoder is featured in this recent article attempting to expose rescues for profiting off the industry. This attack was designed to deflect attention from puppy mill abuse.

                                                                    As part of this effort to improve their reputation, ten Iowa kennels were selected to be built, expanded or upgraded, and it appears Daniel Hochstetler (St. Joseph County, MI), also upgraded his facility and spoke at the initial committee hearing last week.

                                                                    Iowa Kennel Name
                                                                    Kennel Status
                                                                    1) Cloveridge Kennels
                                                                    2015 expanded
                                                                    2) Daynes Ridge

                                                                    3) Hillview Kennels
                                                                    2016 New
                                                                    4) Howling Hill

                                                                    5) Oakridge Kennels
                                                                    2015 new facility
                                                                    6) Shadey Lawn
                                                                    2015 updated
                                                                    7) Shadow Valley
                                                                    2015 updated
                                                                    8) Stoney Creek
                                                                    2015 new
                                                                    9) That’ll Do
                                                                    2015 training lessons from AKC completed
                                                                    10) Yoder Kennel
                                                                    2015 new


                                                                    Hochstetler did not mention his USDA violations, or how large his facility is. He was cited for expired medications and a poodle was observed with a wound on her shoulder. (USDA report attached). He also failed to mention which retail outlets he services.

                                                                    Daniel Hochstetler’s Adult Dog Inventory:

                                                                    Inspection Date
                                                                    # of Individual Licenses
                                                                    Compared to USDA Inventory
                                                                    2008
                                                                    25

                                                                    2009
                                                                    49
                                                                    30
                                                                    2010
                                                                    44
                                                                    62
                                                                    2011
                                                                    62
                                                                    62
                                                                    2012
                                                                    58
                                                                    60
                                                                    2013



                                                                    The kennel buildings might be new and spacious, but the puppies still have problems.

                                                                    While the few new kennels offer indoor/outdoor runs and play yards, there is still little oversight and no guarantee the puppies will be healthy. Some of these featured kennels shipped puppies to The Barking Boutique (Grandville, MI) with abnormalities listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. 

                                                                    Kennel Name
                                                                    Veterinary Inspection Date
                                                                    Abnormality Noted
                                                                    Cloveridge Kennel
                                                                    4/13/2017
                                                                    Luxating Patella Grade 1 L Latfral

                                                                    5/24/2017
                                                                    Small open font.


                                                                    Open font  

                                                                    6/8/2017
                                                                    Moderate open font (all 3 dogs)

                                                                    8/31/2017
                                                                    one of the three female cockapoo had mild underbite

                                                                    12/20/2017
                                                                    Puppy 174655-04 has a moderate open font

                                                                    1/10/2018
                                                                    Puppy 174656-06 has a mild open font
                                                                    Oakridge Kennels
                                                                    11/22/2017
                                                                    Unilateral Crypt Orchid

                                                                    2/7/2018
                                                                    Crypt orchid neuter done 1-31-18
                                                                    Shadow Valley
                                                                    Not provided
                                                                    Left knee grade 5 patella not in trochlergroorse

                                                                    5/15/2017
                                                                    Open Font ~ 3mm

                                                                    6/2/2017
                                                                    Double inguinal hernial repaired


                                                                    Castrated, double inguinal hernia repaired

                                                                    7/13/2017
                                                                    Underbite

                                                                    7/19/2017
                                                                    Very small double inguinal hernia


                                                                    Unbilical hernial repaired by Dr. McClintock

                                                                    10/18/2017
                                                                    Umbilical Hernia and double inguinal hernia

                                                                    10/25/2017
                                                                    Umbilical hernia repaired by Dr. McClintock


                                                                    Castrated by Dr. McClintock

                                                                    11/1/2017
                                                                    Neutered by Dr. McClintock had an abscess on right side of chest - healing

                                                                    11/8/2017
                                                                    Right testical not fully descended into scrotum

                                                                    12/6/2017
                                                                    Very small open font, left knee grade 2 patellar luxator, right knee grade 1 patella lux


                                                                    Umbilical hernia repaired by Dr. McClintock

                                                                    12/19/2017
                                                                    Grade 1 right knee, small open font

                                                                    12/27/2017
                                                                    Umbilical Hernia repaired Dr. Mcintock, Umbilical Hernial repaired Dr. McClintock

                                                                    1/31/2018
                                                                    Double inguinal hernia, open font ~ 4mm, extremely small underbite 1 mm
                                                                    Walnut Ridge Kennel
                                                                    1/3/2018
                                                                    Puppy has a moderate overbite
                                                                    Ervin Lee Mast
                                                                    7/13/2017
                                                                    Overbite

                                                                    1/17/2018
                                                                    Grade 3 knees right and left
                                                                    David Troyer
                                                                    6/16/2017
                                                                    Castrated by Dr. McClintock

                                                                    1/31/2018
                                                                    Umbilical Hernia..small amount of fat on the outside.
                                                                    Melvin Nisley
                                                                    1/24/2018
                                                                    Puppy had crypt orchid neuter done 1/10/18

                                                                    Michigan’s Newest Puppy Store: The Barking Boutique (Grandville, MI)

                                                                    It appears that The Barking Boutique, who was sitting front row at last week’s committee meeting, is also following Petland’s business model and featuring their “showcase” kennels on their website. This misleads families as to the true source of some of the puppies, as the store is actually sourcing from 40+ other undisclosed breeders with recent USDA violations.

                                                                    Learn more about The Barking Boutiques’ undisclosed breeders

                                                                    Cloveridge is one of the “showcase” kennels that changed their name and business license for a clean inspection history.


                                                                    Many of The Barking Boutique’s suppliers have violated the Animal Welfare Act…

                                                                    The Barking Boutique used no discretion when choosing these breeders. Many of the suppliers have violated the Animal Welfare Act, yet the store ordered puppies from them anyway.

                                                                    One breeder with violations, Shady Oak Frenchies owned by Jonathan Detweiler (Princeton, MO), housed 177 dogs in 2014 and was not disclosed on the store’s website.

                                                                    Link to USDA photos.

                                                                    • A Golden Retriever was observed limping on his right front leg. Applicant said "he may have been in a fight." (April 23, 2013).

                                                                    • Multiple Animal Welfare Act violations related to attending veterinarian and inadequate veterinary care program. (April 11, 2013)

                                                                    • A Bulldog with a bottom jaw sticking out 2 inches more than her top jaw causing her tongue to stick out and be exposed, dry, wrinkled and reddened (April 11, 2013)

                                                                    • Two adult Golden Retrievers were seen wet and shivering in the outdoor enclosures with no way of getting inside unless the breeder propped the door open. (April 23, 2013)


                                                                    Another supplier of The Barking Boutique, Melvin Nisley of Seymour, IA, was cited for not having a complete program of veterinary care (April 2013). This kennel is not disclosed on The Barking Boutique’s website. 

                                                                    Link to USDA photos

                                                                    The Barking Boutique owner stated he only works with breeders with no violations in the last two years – which is the new requirement outlined in HB 5916 -- yet breeder David Nisley (Drakesville, IA) was cited for a direct violation of the Animal Welfare Act in 2016

                                                                    Link to USDA records

                                                                    • DIRECT VIOLATION: A Boxer was extremely emaciated, very little fat covering her frame causing her flanks to sink behind her rib cage. (August, 2, 2016)



                                                                    Learn more about all the store’s breeders on The Barking Boutique Boycott website.  

                                                                    Unless all breeders make huge investments and agree to higher standards, these kennels will simply be used as “showcase” kennels while the pet stores continue to source from sub-standard breeders.

                                                                    Michigan pet store owners, local law enforcement and the MDARD have no control or oversight of USDA commercial breeders --the only way to protect families is to end the puppy mill pipeline to our communities.

                                                                    Please do no support these bills which would overturn all the progress we have made to protect families and pets from the cruel pet trade.

                                                                    Thank you for your time in this matter.
                                                                    _______________________________
                                                                    Pam Sordyl
                                                                    Founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan
                                                                    Founder of Michigan Friends of Companion Animals
                                                                    cell: 734-718-7100
                                                                    http://michiganpuppymills.com/
                                                                    http://mfca.yolasite.com/
                                                                    _______________________________