The dogs and I went outside to the gazebo this chilly, December morning. It's 16 degrees outside right now. There's a slight wind that freezes my ears and burns my gloveless fingers. I'm wearing a coat and I'm cold. I am very grateful that I have a warm home to escape the cold, food to eat, access to running water, electricity, I am blessed and I know it.
I love dogs, I have a houseful. They are warm, they have food to eat and fresh water to drink. They are comfortable, loved and blessed. Yet, I can't stop thinking about the dogs living in the 11,000 licensed kennels in Ohio - and those living in unlicensed kennels totally off the radar. How many are in unheated buildings? How many are outside with little or no protection? It's 16 degrees outside, how do they stand the cold? How do they endure the pain of the cold chilling their bones, the pain of paws on frozen ground, the pain of cold feet on cold wire? How do they survive when their water dishes are empty or frozen solid?
How could the Republican Caucus in the Ohio House of Representatives condemn these dogs to another Ohio winter with no relief from this horror? How can Representative Daniels, the Chair of the State Government Committee justify his repeated refusal to send HB 223 to the floor for a vote?
How is it that we permit the abuse and torture (and that's exactly what it is) that occurs in commercial kennels in Ohio? How is it that we allow unlicensed kennels to slip under the radar? Why do we allow breeders to argue that humane treatment of the dogs in Ohio kennels will impose a financial hardship on them? If they can not raise dogs humanely, why should they be permitted to stay in business? If it is too costly to provide a humane environment, to offer a nutritious diet and clean, fresh water, they should not be permitted to raise dogs.
If breeders in Ohio wish to raise and sell dogs in this state, they must execise and socialize their dogs. They must innoculate litters, vaccinate the adults, keep rats out of kennels, seek proper veterinary care for an injured or sick dog, protect them from fleas, ticks, parasites. They must keep proper records and ensure that breeding stock with congenital defects are humanely removed from their lines - give them to a rescue or shelter - humanely put them down - but stop breeding them and stop selling the puppies to unsuspecting consumers through out the country. If it is not possible to keep the urine and feces removed from the kennels, then they must hire staff to do it or reduce the number of dogs they have. This is not debateable - care for the dogs humanely or get out of the business. Period.
At one of the hearings held on HB 223 and SB 173, Ervin Raber, a Holmes county breeder and an opponent of regulations for commercial kennels stated that in 2007 he spent almost $3000 in vet care for his 150 dogs. I have far fewer dogs and spent more than twice that amount during the same year. If you own a dog or cat, how much were your vet bills last year? Was your vet able to provide an annual exam, vaccinations, a rabies vax, possibly a dental, for less than $20? That's what Mr. Raber proudly announced he spent on his dogs. Less than $3000 divided by 150 dogs is less than $20 per dog. Ask your vet if that is a sufficient investment in a healthy dog used as breeding stock.
All of our dogs are rescues, one was abandoned outside a vet's office in the middle of a very cold night; two came from homes where the owner passed away and the dogs lost had no where to go; 7 are puppy mill survivors, they come from Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Missouri.
Ohio is not alone in their silent consent to abuse, torture, neglect and profit from the misery of dogs raised in sub-standard kennels. Our record is shameful, our legislators permit the existence of some of the worse kennels in the United States. The Republican Caucus and the State Government Committee should hang their collective heads in shame.
They know what goes on in many of the kennels in Ohio, they heard testimony from Animal Control officers, Humane Officers, rescue groups, veterinarians, shelter personnel, breeders who support regulations, and the public. They saw videos of conditions in sub-standard kennels and heard the reasons why existing laws are often not sufficient to take action. They heard testimony regarding the lack of staff, resources, internal politics, local and county concerns that hampered the attempts of dedicated men and women to ensure humane treatment of dogs in commercial kennels throughout Ohio. They heard testimony on why there is a need for a state agency to oversee the unregulated commercial kennels in Ohio. They know the problems, they know the need.
Testimony was given by breeders indicating these dogs don't know any other life, they don't need exercise or larger cages, they are happy with their lot. After all, they are just dogs.
Of course they are just dogs. They aren't human, they don't vote, they don't pay taxes, they don't talk. But I vote, I pay taxes , I can speak. And I rescue. I want you to know that the Republican Caucus, Representative Daniels, and the State Government Committee are supporting and permitting sub-standard kennels by refusing to send HB 223 to the floor for a vote.
They knowlingly condemned these dogs to suffer unspeakable horrors. Many dogs have untreated ear infections that can destroy their ear canals, once in rescue it take months of treatment and hundreds of dollars to clear the infections. When was the last time you had an ear ache? Did you have ear drops and a warm pad to help ease the pain? These dogs have nothing.
Years of poor nutrition, poor breeding practices, poor veterinary care have left many with rotting, abcessed teeth. A number of dogs come into rescue with jaw bones destroyed by the abcesses and infections eating away at their bones. When was the last time you had a toothache? Were you able to go to a dentist? Take an aspirin or pain killer? Even gargle a bit of warm salt water? These dogs have nothing but unending pain.
As the pain increases, they are unable to eat the little food they have, further weakening them. They are easily hurt, injured, attacked by the stronger dogs. Dawin's theory of "survival of the fittest" is played out every day in the sub-standard kennels in Ohio.
It is important that you understand the Republican Caucus and Representative Daniels know this. The members of the State Government Committee know this. They heard testimony, saw videos, viewed photos of dogs that come out of the unregulated kennels in Ohio. They saw piles of feces and dogs matted so badly they could not move. They know. They don't care. They condemned these dogs to more of the same. They chose not to allow HB 223 to go to the floor for a vote. Their silence equals consent.
You can be sure that at least one dog died alone in a kennel last night. It was cold, hungry, too weak to endure. What does it matter? It was, after all, just a dog.
