There’s a movement emerging to ban dog auctions in the state of Ohio. Members of BanOhioDogAuctions.com plan to turn in a petition that will appear on the November 2010 ballot and, if successful, will change state laws regarding companion animal auctions.
The auctions are large-scale events in which breeders sell and buy dogs in large quantities. The conditions in which the dogs are kept are no better than those in puppy mills.
In recent years, Ohio has attracted puppy mill operators from across the nation because of the lax laws and regulations concerning the practice of dog auctions. Thousands of unscrupulous mass breeders sell hundreds of dogs like livestock and most of the time the dogs are kept in inhumane conditions.
Breeders convicted of animal cruelty, like the infamous Kathy Jo Bauck of Minnesota and Lanzie “Junior” Horton of Virginia, often travel to Ohio to participate in these profitable large scale auctions. Questionable breeders almost immediately register the dogs with the American Kennel Club (AKC) even though the quality of the purebred dogs is often far from the ideal.
Another effort is also under way in Ohio to include the ban on dog auctions as part of a legislation that will regulate commercial dog breeders. Senate Bill 95 and House Bill 124 would set minimum standards of care for breeders, such as keeping up with basic hygiene and adequate veterinary care.
The push to ban dog auctions, a practice that supports puppy mills, is a welcomed step and will hopefully send a message to breeders that Ohio will no longer be a safe haven for irresponsible breeders. For more information, visit http://banohiodogauctions.com/
