Animal Planet Exposes Puppy Mills
26 March 2009
by Anai Rhoads
AnaiRhoads.org -- Approximately 10,000 puppy mills operate in the United States, some are exposed and reported, while most go on legally without so much as a second glance.
An estimated 2 million dogs are abused, neglected, malnourished and tortured across the country by irresponsible breeders. Females are reproduced by the age of 6 months, and in some cases even younger. They are used until they can no longer produce litters, where they are either abandoned, left to die in their kennel or killed.
Pennsylvania, known as the "puppy mill capital of the East", is notorious for mass-producing dogs for the sole purpose of profit.
One of the largest raids came on July 17, 2008 in Chester County, PA. Limestone Kennels, owned and operated by John Blank, had investigators scrambling. Multiple dogs were found packed into cramped cages, with their food and water bowls contaminated with feces. Many dogs had obvious birth defects, including several dogs who had missing eyes.
The kennel was inspected on multiple occasions prior to this raid - and passed.
"We rescued all of the dogs from the appalling environment and conditions they were subjected to, which was the most important thing," said Humane Law Enforcement Officer Ashley Mutch, who got the lead that resulted in the warrant. "But for the dogs that came before them, we were too late. Whether they survived or not, all of those dogs were victims of a puppy mill and will be forever damaged."
Animal Cops: Philadelphia will air a special called Puppy Mills: Exposed on Animal Planet that will intimately delve into the puppy mill industry. The episode will share photographic and video evidence gathered throughout their investigations, including firsthand accounts of investigators and employees who successfully brought down some of the largest operations in the country.
"Puppy mills are a blemish on a country that loves and respects its dogs," says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet. "Puppy Mills: Exposed tells the truth about these operations -- no matter how disturbing -- in order to incite emotions and action in everyone who watches."
Puppy Mills: Exposed airs on April 27th at 10 PM (ET/PT). The show will begin by taking a look at Pennsylvania, followed by Tennessee and ending in Miami, Florida.
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