In November 2014 I received an email from a Colorado animal activist asking me to speak and write to a planning commission regarding a man applying for a Special Use Permit who wanted to open a breeding facility south of Westcliffe, Custer County, Colorado.
An application for a Special Use Permit must be obtained for a “kennel” from the planning commission before a license is issued in Custer County, CO.
Of course, advocates were extremely concerned and outraged because they knew the ramifications of having a commercial breeding facility aka puppy mill in their county.
The dogs suffer immeasurable neglect and abuse, live in squalor and the most deplorable conditions. The females are forced to breed every heat cycle until they no longer can do so. The dogs are never socialized and have very little veterinarian care, if any. Dogs are bred to ship to pet stores across the country and the breeders profit immensely. When the dogs can no longer provide a profit for the breeder, they are disposed of in the most horrendous ways. Too many are killed by gun shot, drowning or being hit with a rock on their heads.
Martin Troyer, an Amish man, and his wife were planning to have Bichon Frises and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels procreate for the purpose of selling the puppies. Troyer presented his plan to open a small breeding facility containing 30 dogs and sell about 100 dogs per year.
Troyer insisted his facility would not be a puppy mill.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one such Amish farmer sold nearly 1300 puppies for an estimated $290,000 in 2010. Puppy mills are big business and many Amish own them. Still believe Troyer?
The email I received was seeking credible animal advocate speakers to voice their objections to the planning commission at a meeting in December on behalf of the animals’ lives in puppy mills to show the men and women what a very bad decision they would be making if they choose to give Troyer the Special Use Permit.
This email from one activist was looking to organize a nationwide effort to stop this kennel from existing. She couldn’t allow this to happen after a newly transplanted Amish person told her they (Amish) do not think of animals as pets, they think of them as business.
In the December meeting which I was unable to attend, Troyer said he planned on getting his breeding stock from Ohio and planned on raising the puppies to breed with adults. Troyer also stated “I think animals should be taken care of properly. I think they have rights, we would do everything we could to make it happen.”
Rescuers, animal advocates and at least one national organization were involved to share their objections and inform the commission that despite what Troyer said, his kennel would be no different than other puppy mills.
The commission had a decision to make after hearing both sides. However, Troyer withdrew his request for the Special Use Permit before that could happen.
He told the zoning commission he would withdraw his request if the kennel creates any kind of rift between the Amish and other residents in Custer County.
It took one person’s actions to set the wheels in motion to elicit the involvement of animal activists to stop a puppy mill from creating a life of hell for dogs.
When animal advocates stick together for the greater cause, we can create fantastic outcomes such as this. Actions can stop a puppy mill!
Have a story, please email me at tevangelistaepp@yahoo. Like my tv page at https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues.
all the amish are into puppy mills ban them all…………….
So it wasn’t going to be a puppy mill. He’s slick. I’ll give him that. They are more crafty and slick than people realize. They act so innocent but aren’t. Gentle people. NO!
Good for ya’ all.
Personally, the Amish make me sick. They hide behind their horse and buggies. They’ve created a persona of a peaceful community. Don’t let that fool you. They are cruel to the women and children. They could care less about animals. Glad to hear this.
We need to stop buying from pet stores. Period. If the supply isn’t there, there is no demand. Great to hear a mill didn’t even have the chance to begin.
Please everybody must be educated about this horrid amish puppy mill ,the activity is unimaginable torture