Breeding age and standards - Page 3

I think the OP can find plenty of appropriate information by clicking on the links provided here. A note to the PA federation - the PA Puppy Lemon law was the result of so many Pa puppymilllers sellling sick dogs to the public. Msot of thsoe breeders were in Lancaster County.

Why ask questions about toy dog breeding on the GSD subforum?  I don't want toy dog breeders deciding how and when I can breed GSDs so who am I to know anything about how toy breed should be bred and cared for...

No, I'm not familiar, and as I said, not speaking in their defense either.  But, if they're well cared for, that might include regular intervals of excercise time in the yards or fields, sufficient staff to oversee and interact with them.  THAT's more significant than their breeding age.  Dogs might be considered livestock in PA, but they are social animals that shouldn't be penned up like cattle in a feedlot or dogs at an asian meat market.

while 105 is a large number, i still believe that as long as these dogs are "healthy", "clean" and kept in crates/kennels large enough for them "move freely", its none of "governments" business.

if the "government" wants to inspect these breeders monthly, weekly or daily, then make the breeders fees high enough to make sure the rest of tax payers don't have to be burdened.

we have enough laws in all levels of governemnt....every law or ordinance was written with good intentions . . 



 





 

Most are not well cared for. When I lived in PA the local TV station aired an expose on those puppymills. Most of their dogs never see the light of day. When the cameras arrived, some of those breeders had made up a sort of treadmill to prove that their dogs got exercise. It was essentially a wire cage big enough for a large terrier fitted with a walking belt. No electricity, so the dog had to make the belt move by walking or running on it. Mulitple dogs jammed into small cages, pretty digusting to most of us, but the owner was proudly smiling forom ear to ear; he felt it was heaven on earth for "just a DOG". Never did understand how any of them knew which dogs sired which litters as they were not segregated by sex. I guess the first dog they saw tied with the bitch was the dog they listed as the sire.

I won't even tell you how they treat their horses. The lucky ones that don't die from exhaustion end up at auctions purchased by horse lovers to keep them from being slaughtered. A few lucky ones end up places like Cape May, NJ used on tour buggies where they are  treated  very well by their owners.

there are so many laws on the books, what is needed is for the laws to be enforced......
no new laws are needed...

Under the APHIS Dealer Inspection Guide, treadmills are non-acceptable.form of exercise for dogs.  Sounds like the violation of a current federal mandate.

Basically, there are already federal regulations in place to oversee the health and welfare of animals (including kennel spacing requirements).  Whatever state and local level regulations apply, should have a definite and NEEDFUL purpose if they're not already covered with in the scope of the federal regulations.

A Quick Reference to the Requirement for the Exercise of Dogs Under the Animal Welfare Act

Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

USDA - Animal Plant & Health Inspection Sevice (APHIS) Publications and Reports

Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service Q&A: Regulation of Dog and Cat Breeders and Dealers
 

HOWEVER, I would suggest ecouraging these breeders in the participation of a volunary and educational program, that there could be incentives involved for participating in an "Environmental Enrichment" program.  A program whose participants stand out from their peers like grassfed cattle or organically grown pizza.  A breeder's accredidation list could be provided to key research facilities, who are then pressured to select which dealers they do business with, in order to prove that they're making a humanitarily conscious effort.  This serves as a way to "inadvertently" blacklist the dealers who fail to cooperate.  Politics without beauracracy.

The environmental enrichment program could consist of ensuring their social needs and non-mundane sensory stimuli needs are met; such as being in proximity to other dogs, petted and spoken to by the handler and kennel caretaker daily, groomed on a frequent basis, toys for personal amusement.  Big screen TV, nice ipod playlist, etc.

the laws are already on the books, present laws must be enforced........before any new laws are added......


http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/Legislat/awabrief.shtml#Q10
"(a) Dogs housed individually - Dogs over 12 weeks of age, except bitches with litters, must be provided a regular opportunity for exercise if they are individually in enclosures that provide less than two times the floor space required for that dog under section 3.6(c)(1) (i.e. length of dog in inches + 6) x (length of dog in inches + 6)/ 144 = required floor space in square feet. (3.8(a))."

this code goes on to spellout veterinarian care, required bookkeeping, and a million other requirements.


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if the poster really wants to "adopt a new ordinance" the ordinance could be very short....

"dog breeding businesses shall comply with all federal laws"

end of ordinance.....

My dogs are putting together their list of demands for the enrichment program even as I type.  One has volunteered to go into undercover assignment and infiltrate the lair of these evildoers.  There's a "smoking treadmill", and they're going to find it.   Covert ops team on standby... this could get wet.

Thanks for the links! A few of them were exactly what I was looking for.

Kind Regards

Ronnie Weiss