Puppy Mills are horrific facilities where breeders take on numerous animals strictly with profit in mind. The dogs are frequently crammed together in cages stacked on top of one another, living in feces and urine. The females are bred every chance possible, and none of the dogs receive any veterinary care. Authorities report that they recently discovered what they classify as one of the worst and largest Puppy Mill offenders in the country, located in Loogootee, Indiana.
Puppy mill in Indiana owned by the Raber’s
Dog breeders John and Rosanna Raber made the Horrible Hundred list when authorities from the Humane Society of the United States discovered the facility last month.
What is baffling is that these breeders failed an inspection recently by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) late last year, yet they are still breeding in these horrifying conditions. Review notes at the time stated that nine of the boxer puppies at the breeders were fragile with their ribs showing. Additionally, eight of them had runny noses. They received no veterinary attention. Two other boxers had large open wounds that exposed muscle tissue, yet no medical attention was sought. The USDA conducts inspections of licensed breeders like the Raber’s on an annual basis. If they do not comply over time, the license is revoked.
Statements by Puppy Mill Campaign Director Goodwin
"An arrest warrant was issued Thursday for a man accused of running a puppy mill out of his northwest Indiana... https://t.co/5v6pOFG8LX
— IND Progressives (@INDprogressives) June 9, 2017
After the shocking puppy mill discovery in Indiana, John Goodwin, the senior director of the Stop Puppy Mills campaign for the HSUS was stunned to read the report findings at this facility.
He stated that many of these facilities fail extensively, but the poor condition of the puppies at the Raber’s breeding site is horribly excessive. The Raber’s claim that the adult boxers were involved in a fight that created the wounds which they allegedly treated.
Goodwin continues to state that these breeders focus strictly on money and breeding as many puppies as possible without getting them any medical attention or care.
He is shaken by the fact that all these breeders have such low standards when it comes to the care and health of the animals. He wonders what kind of industry we have that these breeders cannot meet proper regulations when it comes to the health and welfare of the dogs.
The HSUS compiled their Horrible Hundred list for the past five years, and Indiana seems to make a list every time.
They appear to continue business as usual. Standards for commercial breeders in Indiana seem to be minimal, only requiring that dogs cannot be confined in cages with wire floors. Larger breeders must be registered with the State Board of Animal Health. The USDA has implemented a plan that will protect the worst puppy mills throughout the country, but as they state, the real losers in these facilities are the dogs.
