Buckeye Dog Auction
"The August 26, 2006 Buc 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. What disturbed me the most was the number of dogs immediately registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) following the winning bid. I cannot imagine that any of these breeders are improving the health, temperament and quality of purebred dogs."
"Several rescue groups were awarded dogs which were surrendered by the auctioneers. All of them were in a severe state of neglect, one of which included a beautiful eight year old, ACA registered German Shepherd who was urinating blood and missing a good portion of the lip protecting her jaw. Following two months of foster care in our home, "Lot 130" (picture at left), was successfully placed with Bill and Kelly G., a responsible and loving couple from Columbus, OH. Her new family includes an adorable eight year old miniature pincher named Velvet and a handsome 32 lb orange tabby named Nick."
"As a member of the Central Ohio companion animal rescue community, I've been working very diligently with animal advocates throughout the U.S. in addressing this very critical issue for Ohio citizens. For more information on our efforts, I invite you to read the article "New bill targets puppy mills, auctions" in the Winter, 2007 issue of The Animal Insider."
"It is my firm belief that until the public truly understands and appreciates the cruel aspect - not to mention the corruption and consumer fraud - connected with "dealing dogs", OH puppy mills will continue to generate millions of dollars for their breeders and distributors."
Mary O'Connor-Shaver, Columbus Top Dogs |
Geauga County Dog Auction
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 Geauga County drew concerns from county officials, as well as members of the local Amish community, who said they did not want to court problems or negative attention.
Effective April 4, the Buckeye Dog Auction's first scheduled sale in Geauga County was cancelled and the new potential owner, Harold Neuhart (a USDA "Class A" licensed operator of Seneca View Kennels in Guernsey County), has been unavailable for comment.
To read more about this controversial issue, we invite you to read page five of The Commissioner's Journal, March 15, 2007.
|
|
|
|
