HSUS at it again-Beware

[Mjjean]

-----Original Message-----
From: Millie Williams <kallista@hughes. net>
To: MIPetLaw@yahoogroup s.com
Sent: Mon, Dec 7, 2009 12:59 pm
Subject: [MIPetLaw] HSUS



I talked to my local humane society today. HSUS is out to gather information. Under the FOIA, they requested all names and addresses of anyone in our county that owns a kennel. They also wanted to know exactly how many dogs were there. Our director had to send them the info but said that they would have to call to see how many dogs are there. No differentiation between commercial (such as a boarding kennel, which I have) or private (which I also have but we aren't talking about that). My husband has been instructed if anyone shows up at our gate that is not picking up or recieving a dog or is known to him as is our director or animal control officers, to not let them in and to answer no questions put to him, to tell them to leave a phone number and I'll call them.

Just a heads up for you all. I am going and changing my "breeder info" on all the clubs I currently belong to. This is sheer madness....

Millie in Cheboygan County
___________________________________________________________

Just got this in my email. I assume if they are doint it here, they could be doing it elsewhere. We all know PETA and the H$U$ are radical groups known to harass breeders and trying to bust the average breeder or boarder as a "puppy mill" and have their animals taken away. They also have been known to flat out lie to get warrants and by the time the owners are cleared in a court of law, their dogs have been euthanized, adopted out, sterilized and/or spent months in cages going insane while waiting for judgements to be handed down. Be careful!

 

[Beanie]

Umm... FOIA has nothing to do with records of who has a kennel or doesn't...

 

[xpaeanx]

I always thought FOIA was specific to governmentish type information... not everyday people information.

 

[dogsarebetter]

to my knowledge, Beanie is right.

 

[Lolas Dad]

FOIA is Freedom Of Information Act. That means they have to provide the information requested to whoever requested it. Your average Joe can use the FOIA also. If I wanted to find out what my neighbor pays in property taxes all I have to do is go online and look it up. If I wanted to find out where a person's property or business is located all I have to do is go online and if I can't find the information there then all I have to do is go to the county seat or town hall to find it. This would include businesses that are classified as a kennel

Personally I have no problem with the HSUS inspecting puppy mill kennels.

 

[Beanie]

Sorry, but FOIA applies to requesting FEDERAL records from the department of the state. While yes, Joe Blow can request those records, it has absolutely nothing to do with records that a humane society may or may not have about kennels. How a humane society would have records about who has a kennel and how many dogs are there is beyond me but that's besides the point.

 

[Lolas Dad]

The department of agriculture has records on all professional licensed(puppy mill) kennels and that information is available to anyone online. I'm sure that there are many that are unlicensed and maybe that's what the HSUS is trying to find out.

Also as for FOIA on township records you may want to read this story:

Millstone official: Gaboff investigation cost the twp. | examiner.gmnews.com | Examiner

 

[Beanie]

And that has zero to do with FOIA or with requesting information from a humane society.

 

[Lolas Dad]

The way I read the original post is that the HSUS is asking for the records and they have every legal right to have them just as you could make the same request and have them.

 

[Dekka]

Lola's dad.. forgetting the issue of what the HSUS can get. They are more interested in making life difficult for people to breed and own pets in general. IF they were out to get puppy mills they would have far more support.

(they are all about gettign money and helping PETA)

 

[Bailey08]

Yeah, I'm guessing that this is apocryphal.

 

[Lolas Dad]

I did not say they were a great organization and I am aware that all they are concerned about is the money. When a natural disaster strikes they are their collecting the animals left behind and then dumping them in the local shelters without giving any of the shelters the financial support.

Honestly if the HSUS was a good organization there would be no such thing as a puppy mill and I am starting to believe there are certain organizations that actually want to keep the puppy mills going just so they can make money off of them in their own ways even though they say they are against them.

 

[corgipower]

When a natural disaster strikes they are their collecting the animals left behind and then dumping them in the local shelters without giving any of the shelters the financial support.

They don't even do that much. They collect money. They let the local rescue groups go out and find the animals.

 

[Mjjean]

In MI and in many other states, the local Humane Society or SPCA is the AC organization that handles kennel inspections and animal cruelty reports.

In many cities/towns/counties there are legal limits to dog/pet ownership. Anyone who has over the limit (3 dogs and/or cats in my city, for example) has to apply and be approved for a kennel license. They have to submit a plan to the local city or AC (in some cases HS or SPCA) providing their plan for feeding, housing and general care.

Some places also require a license to breed even if you only breed one litter a year.

These licenses are kept on file by the local AC and/or the Humane Society or ASPCA as well as the city, township, county and state, depending on which passed the licensing requirement and the owrding of that requirement.

So, thats why the HSUS is asking for the information on private breeders and boarding kennels. They are on a fishing expedition for information and will use that information to harass breeders and kennel owners.

This has nothing to do with commercial breeding operations as they have the resources to hire lawyers and fight to the death. Its about getting at more easy prey such as the average hobby breeder or small business boarding kennel who does not have the means to fight them and their ridiculous agenda.

I am not a breeder and I do not own a kennel, but I have seen these AR extremists harass others and it is unreal the lengths they will go to. Posing as buyers, pretending the law allowed them to inspect the home and kennels, picketing the location (even private homes), harassing by phone or email, etc etc. One allegation of cruelty or neglect, true or false, can ruin years of good reputation built up by a breeder or kennel.

The last lady I saw harassed had 5 dogs and bred a litter a year. The HSUS alleged she wasn't providing food and had her dogs removed. In court, she was found not guilty as she merely did not free feed and had the dogs on a schedule of morning and night feedings only. The dogs were found to be in excellent condition by a court appointed vet. This poor woman had to pay thousands in legal fees and then pay a few thousand more in boarding fees to the local HS because of how long it took the case to go to court and the judge to give her the dogs back. I would hate to see someone else go through that because they were unwary of this group.

 

[Mjjean]

Forwarded from another list.

--
Jen Miller
Stardust Beagles & Vizslas
SE Michigan
www.stardustkennel. net


PERMISSION TO CROSS POST IN IT'S ENTIRETY

I have been informed that Michigan is one of the targets of HSUS's campaign
to stop "puppy mills" for 2010. They have already begun requesting the
records of all dog breeding kennels through the FOIA (Freedom of Information
Act). Now is the time to band together to stop unfair laws from being
enacted in your state. Be advised that HSUS has, in other states, turned in
breeders to the taxing bodies and the zoning commissions after they have
obtained the kennel information. Keep your breeding and show expense
records in good shape in case you need to provide proof that you show your
dogs. Also inform your veterinarian of what is happening as many are not
aware of what HSUS is doing to responsible show breeders.

It is wise to also know your rights as a property owner (dogs ARE property)
and not let someone who may or not be an official into your home or kennel.
Enlist the help of neighbors to help watch your home when you are gone so
that these people cannot come to your property, look in windows or enter the
kennel while you are away. Provide the neighbor with a disposable camera
to take pictures of anyone on your property, get a license plate number if
at all possible. If you use a dog sitter make sure they know what they
should do in case someone comes knocking on the door. Remember that HSUS
makes no distinction between a responsible breeder and a sub-standard
breeder or kennel.


If you think none of these things has already happened to dog people in
other states, think again.

Michele Kasten
Legislative Liaison, Belle City Kennel Club
Schipperke Club of Greater St. Louis, President and Rescue Chair
President, Midwest Schipperke Rescue
www.midwestschipper kerescue. petfinder. com
<http://www.midwests chipperkerescue. petfinder. com/>
www.schipperkeclub- usa.org <http://www.schipper keclub-usa. org/>
Victoria Schipperkes
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Got this in my email just after I replied here. We all know their goal isn't "puppy mills" as they consider pretty much any breeder a "mill".