| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kes |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 4:35:57 PM
In October this year I started a job working in a kennels and small equine establishment. It seemed wonderful and it was everything I always wanted to do. Within a few short weeks many people I know told me exactly who I was working for and I knew my days were numbered. The people I am talking about are known all over England and Ireland for sadly, a bad reputation in horse trading, selling sick animals and not paying debts. Although I knew I could never change them I foolishly thought that I could steer them into a better way of animal care. Last week I found out exactly what people are like when it comes to 'puppy farms' and profit. I left this job at the beginning of last week but I am haunted by what I have seen. I know they will simply employ someone else but the animals, as always, will suffer. There are rules and regulations in place we all presume to stop this sort of thing going on, but trust me, these are all broken so very easily.
I know in the long scheme of things animal abuse is rife and a lot worse that what I have witnessed, but when you see it for yourself it really brings it home. I wish there was something I could do :( |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jackiedo |
Posted - 28 Dec 2011 : 10:16:06 AM
Judith I can assure you that there are people monitoring the free sites and facebook ads looking for multiple ads from the same source selling puppies or kittens or horses and forwarding the details to the relevant animal health departments. They just need badgering. They are busy and few in number and are often spend lots of time on animal movement licenses, but trust me they do go out if badgered, and they have the power to do so as an "inspection visit".
Complain and give evidence and leave your details. They will not tell the people who you are but that way you will be able to get back to them, and ask for a response and feedback. No use going on a pre planned annual inspection where special effort has been made and dogs been moved (I have known litters and bitches put into backs of vans and driven around and parked up for the visit, special cleaning being done etc. Another way is to contact the inland revenue giving some indication of income - they have more powers than most.
And please, don't let this thread be used for veiled insults to any members of these forums, it does not help at all. |
| Callisto |
Posted - 27 Dec 2011 : 9:22:57 PM
Truly awful Kes. A terrible position to find yourself in. |
| Kes |
Posted - 27 Dec 2011 : 9:15:04 PM
She is licensed, but only breeds about 5% of the puppies she sells, the rest come from 'other' sources. |
| Judith S |
Posted - 27 Dec 2011 : 6:31:57 PM
Breeders with more than 2 breeding bitches need to be licensed, but the onus is on the breeder to apply for a license - how many of these type of people will apply? They will carry on until caught - not very likely with the workload and budget restraints of local authorities - and if caught and prosecuted face a maximum fine of £2500 which is small change to some of these outfits. |
| jackiedo |
Posted - 27 Dec 2011 : 6:20:58 PM
what annoys me more than anything is that dog breeders have to be licensed. Clearly there needs to be more inspection visits, I am a dog breeder myself (on a very small scale) yet I know may people who factory farm and feel no shame.
I can only see this getting worse as the recession bites and people are looking to supplement incomes. There needs to be more licensed revoked and animals seized as well as large fines for breech of conditions. |
| Goldenmane |
Posted - 27 Dec 2011 : 1:01:22 PM
Oh, Kes, I have no advise, but if you have saved one animal through your concern, then well done . Nippo, your story is heartbreaking, I can only say you have my total respect. I bought a puppy 30 years ago, now I know from a puppy farm, since then I always go to rescues and advise people who want a certain breed to try the breed rescues. |
| Ennik |
Posted - 27 Dec 2011 : 12:14:10 PM
Kes, you have my symopathies .....  |
| Kes |
Posted - 27 Dec 2011 : 12:10:55 PM
Thanks Zan, you've given me good advice and with what you have written I can see you have seen terrible things too, it's so saddening isn't it :(
Unfortunately I rather fear that unless an official body goes in people will continue to buy pups from this place.
The odd thing is I always got on well with the people and wish them no harm on a personal level. I tried so hard to make things better for the dogs but you can't spend other people's money, you can only do so much on your own and I was very much on my own.
Thanks also Fee and Nippo for your support and comments. |
| Zan |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 6:42:38 PM
Originally posted by Kes
Zan, although I am being guarded with what I say on an open forum I saw what I regard as terrible, terrible things. Really, unless you have been on that side of the 'closed doors' you have no idea (I say that with a very sad heart)
I know exactly what goes on-- I have seen undercover footage from many of these hell holes, and have known people who have worked undercover in them.I've also nursed brood bitches back to health, or as near as could be managed, after coming from puppy farms. I applaude you for trying to make things better while working there, alas, an impossible task as you have found, and urge you to contact organisations in the links who are campaigning against these places.
It saddens me that people still buy puppies from these places, despite many efforts to highlight what goes on. It is the old "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" thing again -- so many people don't seem to want to find out what goes on behind closed doors. It's as if, if the cruelty isn't drawn to their attention it doesn't exist. That is exactly why we all have to draw it to everyone's attention! Try to make your terrible experience working there a positive one-- a small step towards the end of these places. |
| Fee |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 6:31:55 PM
Kes, I applaud you for trying and for keeping to your values. It's despicable what happens to poor innocent animals that can't and don't have a voice. Sadly though, going by some (very few thankfully) people on this forum it's wrong to speak up for them. I just hope you don't get the same response as some of us on here do when we try to highlight what's going on.
Keep the doors closed eh, never!
Fee |
| Kes |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 6:27:43 PM
Zan, although I am being guarded with what I say on an open forum I saw what I regard as terrible, terrible things. Really, unless you have been on that side of the 'closed doors' you have no idea (I say that with a very sad heart).
Unfortunately I couldn't stay there and my departure was hasty, things went downhill very quickly because I went against their wishes. I refused to do something I regard as terrible and meant suffering followed by death.
I myself am a big supporter of DT, I sponsor a dog called Skippy, I read about puppy farming all the time from their newsletters etc. I will look at the links you supplied, thank you. Sadly I am only too aware that the RSPCA are often powerless.
Also, retribution aimed at me would probably result in the harm of MY animals. It's so difficult. |
| Nippo |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 6:22:34 PM
I have been a foster home for two breed society rescues for many years. They have no legal rights to go into these places so they send in people like me. I have to pretend to be a silly puppy buyer to avoid arousing suspicion when really I want to rip the heads off these people. It would take all night to relate the things I've seen, all the time pretending not to be affected in any way. The breed societies provide me with the money to buy what I think needs help the most. I usually try to get adult bitches that have been bred every season without correct diets. One I remember had no teeth and jaw beginning to collapse due to endless puppies drawing on her calcium levels. I had terrible trouble convincing breeder to sell her to me, but I had to pretend to be a ditsy idiot who had fallen for her. It is awful having to encourage them by giving them money but it's often the only way to get the worst cases out of there. Thankfully that particular breeder was prosecuted and banned from keeping dogs once we were able to provide the authorities with the actual dog and our vets report. But Its a never ending task and totally heart breaking. The RSPCA is worse than useless at the best of times, but these vile people are very clever and soon get to know who is 'working' for rescue organisations so they continue with their filthy trade.
If any of you donate to animal charities, please think about making it to your favourite breed rescue. It costs a fortune to rescue in this manner but it's the only way to do it with no legal back up. |
| Zan |
Posted - 26 Dec 2011 : 4:46:13 PM
Puppy farming is disgusting. As always, it is difficult to get inside information to help towards prosecutions, so you could help by getting in touch with organisations who are trying to stop it to give them first hand accounts of your experience--staying employed at this place, to work "undercover" might have been even more helpful, but is not for everyone.
http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/b/batteryfarmeddogs/default.aspx
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/news_pets/ALL/953//
http://www.puppywatch.org.uk/
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/images/pdf/factfiles/puppy.pdf
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/03/puppy-farms-battery-dogs
For those who want to close their eyes to all animal cruelty there are graphic scenes in some of these links. |
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