There are countless instances of when humanity succumbs to the pressures of retail profits: puppy mills are an example. Simply put, puppy mills are like a “puppy factory”: abundantly high levels of breeding, horrid conditions, and inhumane treatment. Originally referred to as “Canine Commercial Breeding Establishments (CBES),” puppy mills fail to provide basic necessities, creating disastrous conditions including but not limited to: contamination of air and water, extremely poor ventilation leading to poor air quality, build-up of ammonia, and feces odors, and a severe lack of veterinary care to care for even the most concerning illnesses.
Caged up in solitude and forced to breed at high volumes, these pups serve the main purpose of “poster products” rather than living beings. As a result, studies have shown that puppies raised in puppy mills are often noticed to depict signs of depression, nervousness, and anxiety-triggered aggression.
Deprivation of healthy human interaction -- and a healthy childhood-- leads these puppies to suffer from health conditions for the rest of their lives, many of whom do not live to their life’s complete potential.
A prominent example? “Goldie.” Originally named “Golden Retriever #142,” Goldie was trapped in horrendous conditions, months on end, at an Iowan USDA licensed puppy mill, despite USDA’s knowledge of her suffering. Goldie didn’t have a warm bed, fresh food, and water, or veterinary care when she needed it, and died after suffering from extreme neglect for months (ASPCA).
However, this unfortunate truth does not need to remain a reality. Recently, U.S. Reps. Cindy Axne (D-Iowa), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Susan Wild (D-Pa.), and Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) introduced Goldie’s Act (H.R. 6100) in the hopes of discontinuing the practice of industrial puppy mills, and to further enforce the Animal Welfare Act.
As per the ASPCA, Goldie’s Act will work to require more frequent and meaningful inspection, rescuing dogs that are suffering, and imposition of deterring monetary penalties against licensees who violate the law. It would require USDA to share information with law enforcement agencies.
The passage of Goldie’s Act will help many other puppies like Goldie who currently suffer as a result of industrial puppy mills -- to improve the conditions of how pups are raised and to emphasize the seriousness of welfare regulations.
Commenti