Letter: Put an end to the cruelty of puppy factories

Monday, Oct. 6, 2003 | 8:34 a.m.

Apart from small-scale breeders, some 5,000 mass-breeding kennels called "puppy mills" churn out about a half-million purebred puppies a year to be sold in pet stores.

An investigator with the Humane Society of the United States visited nearly 300 of these puppy factories. He was shocked to find that most females kept for breeding spend their lives in small, dirty wire cages -- deprived of any exercise or companionship.

Often, the dogs endure the harshest weather extremes and lack adequate food and water. He reported that he saw "thirsty dogs desperately pawing at drinking water that had turned to ice in the bowl." Finally, since they are viewed solely as breeding machines, the females are bred every time they come into heat and are killed at age 5 or 6 when their "production" declines.

It is a cruel society that breeds and buys afflicted purebreds while healthy dogs perish by the millions. Across the country records show that 25 percent of dogs in shelters are purebreds. When we start to go to shelters or humane societies for our pets, these puppy mills will go out of business and the breeding dogs' suffering can be eliminated.

Those who have pets can help the situation by taking the time to have them spayed or neutered. Our shelters are exploding with animals and only a certain amount find homes. The rest must be put down. Responsible care of pets can help end this problem too.

LINDA FASO