Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions is a registered Political Action Committee (PAC) with the Ohio Secretary of State and is recognized as a §501(c)(4) organization by the Internal Revenue Service
Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions
Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions is a registered Political Action Committee (PAC) with the Ohio Secretary of State and is recognized as a §501(c)(4) organization by the Internal Revenue Service
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Buckeye Dog Auction |
keye Dog Auction represented one of the worst experiences I have ever witnessed. In the absence of a USDA inspector, 300 dogs were sold at a cost between $25-$450 (this is very low compared to last year). The staging area (entrance to the auction in which buyers can "view the livestock") smelled like a cesspool. The majority of cages lacked food, water and were covered in feces. All the dogs were scared and shaking - a truly heartbreaking sight." Geauga Dog Auction
Commissioner Young reported on the Holmes County Puppy Mills that is reportedly coming to Geauga County. Geauga County Dog Warden Matt Granito reported his concerns of moving the puppy auction (where puppies are sold for resale) to Geauga County. Some of those concerns include treatment of the animals, transportation of these animals, food and water needs while in transit, animal health, what happens to the dogs that are not sold and possible new parasites that may not be currently seen in Geauga County. Ticks are not currently a big problem in Geauga County but with the amount of dogs being brought in and sold it is a potential problem that needs to be considered. There is the potential of selling 2,500 dogs per week. Currently there are 96 kennels in Geauga County with no regulations until they sell to retail stores then they will be regulated through USDA. Commissioner Young reported that Holmes County reported some positives of the auctions as well managed and that some people can make $100,000 a year with breeding female dogs. Commissioner Young added that Holmes County reported many protests. The puppy mill auction business is treated as agriculture with no regulations. Mr. Granito added that there will be no sales tax coming to the county on the sale of the puppies but there will be "headaches". Mr. Granito suggested there may be possible protests to the auction and added that road and parking for these events will also be a problem. Mr. Granito expects an increase in strays and unwanted dogs in the county. Mr. Granito stated that Pennsylvania has outlawed puppy auctions and as Pennsylvania is close to Geauga County that may be a reason the puppy mills are coming to Geauga County. Commissioner Albert stated he believed the puppy mill business should be removed from agriculture and should be listed as a commercial operation which would allow for regulation. Commissioner Young suggested Mr. Granito meet with Holmes County officials and inspect the auction site and inquire what issues Holmes County may have had. Mr. Granito added that Geauga County has a population of about 94,000 with 96 kennels and Holmes County has a population of 37,000 with 500 registered kennels. Mr. Granito is currently waiting on a Prosecutor’s opinion on regulating these auctions. Mr. Granito reported that PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a big opponent to puppy mills. Mr. Granito added that as the Dog Warden he is not responsible to inspect these puppy mills. Mr. Jerry Slater, a member of the audience who had read about the puppy mill coming to Geauga County, commented that he is against these puppy mills in Geauga County. Mr. Granito stated that HB 606, introduced last year, addresses the puppy mill issue and will be re-introduced this year. The problem is that Congress will run licensing and regulating out of Columbus. This means the State will give the county $50.00 per registered kennel and the county will have to inspect them but the State will keep $2,000.00 per registered puppy mill, leaving no monies to pay for inspections. Mr. Granito believes each county should regulate the puppy mills and licensing and get the money for inspections. Mr. Granito added there may be no legal rights to do anything about the puppy mill coming to Geauga County but he will try to address some of the concerns with the Prosecutor’s Office and find out our options. Mr. Granito plans to return before the Board within a week and a half with an update.
The Buckeye Dog Auction has been under protest from concerned citizens since it debuted in 2004. The auction spurred a surge in kennel operations in and around Holmes County as purebred puppies turned into an increasingly lucrative cash crop. In 2006, Holmes County licensed 478 kennels -- a 40 percent increase from 2003, the year before the auction started. Only 14% of those kennels were regulated.
In March 2007, the dog auction was sold to Middlefield Township-based Bylerville Enterprises LLC, with the first sale scheduled to take place at the end of April, 2007. The promise of similar protests in
Effective April 4, 2007 the Buckeye Dog Auction's first scheduled sale in
To read more about this controversial issue, including Dog Warden Matt Granito's concerns regarding the dog auction moving to Geauga County, we invite you to review:
Page 5 of Commissioners' Journal: March 15, 2007:
Page 2 of Commissioners' Journal: October 18, 2007:
There was a long discussion held regarding puppy auction mills and licensing of these auctions in Geauga County. Commissioner Young has had discussions with the Prosecutor’s Office regarding possible changes to protect the county from these puppy mills. Commissioner Young suggested a meeting with the Prosecutor and Mr. Granito to find out the options to control this situation and protect the county.
