Photo by Terri Davis graphics

On Thursday Dec. 31, authorities “raided” the Green Meadows Kennel located between North Platte and Hershey and removed approximately 80 dogs.

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Shelter officials from North Platte, Hershey, McCook, and Kearney participated in the action.

The Green Meadows dogs were in various states of health, though the severity of the injuries has been somewhat exaggerated by some members of the public, officials reported.

One internet blog, Life at Mary’s House, claimed that many of the dogs suffered frost bite, including a basset that had it’s ears frozen to the ground after falling asleep in mud. That same blog circulated an internet petition for the removal of State Veterinarian John Boucher following the raid, claiming he is remiss in his duties.

The petition has 138 “signatures” from around the world.

However, officials have reported that for the most part the seized dogs were in good health for the situation they had been in but required some minor medical care.

The most extreme case was that of a Maltese who suffered a broken jaw that was never tended to, officials stated. Now the dog cannot close its mouth all the way.

What will happen now?

County Attorney Rebecca Harling said that it is unlikely Lois Stutterheim will face charges or jail time.

“She is an elderly lady, and she wasn’t able to keep up with maintaining that many dogs,” Harling stated. “She voluntarily surrendered control of approximately 80 dogs to shelters. I don’t anticipate jailing her.”

Stutterheim retained control as many as 20 animals. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has refused comment on any facet of the case, so it is unknown if they intend to levy fines or charges against the breeder. Nor is it known how the action against Stutterheim compares to other actions the NDA has taken.

The action taken against Stutterheim was initiated by Doug Zarek with the NDA.

It had been reported elsewhere that Zarek is an inspector for the United States Department of Agriculture.

Zarek opted not to comment on what brought the Green Meadows Kennel to his attention, or on how long the kennel has been under investigation.

Accusations against Green Meadows for being a “puppy mill” have flown for some time, according to reports.

Not a nice life

The horrors suffered by animals at so-called “mills” have been well documented by dozens of animal-rights groups.

The harsh conditions were even explored by famed “dog-whisperer” Cesar Millan on his television show.

The term Puppy Mill can be applied to any facility that breeds large numbers of purebred dogs and houses the animals in cramped, squalid conditions. The impact that those conditions have affects not only the animals themselves, but also the families and individuals that purchase them.

A website operated by the Humane Society of the United States stated that puppies that come from puppy mills are significantly more likely to have health and behavioral problems than pets from shelters or small breeders.

Puppy Mill puppies are often housed in small cages and have to live in their own feces, the HUUS website said. The several dogs can live in a common, filthy cage. Sharing such a small space can make the animals more aggressive than they otherwise might have been.

Additionally, the puppies are deprived of human contact and affection.

That causes big problems when it comes to interacting with new human “family members” after the puppy is purchased, the website said. It also makes the learning curve for behavior modification like housetraining steeper.

Dogs who serve as breeders suffer an even worse existence, the website said. Female dogs are forced to breed every time they are in heat.

This leads to smaller and smaller litters, the site said. When a dog’s usefulness is at or nearing an end, it continued, the dogs are often killed or sold cheaply to another breeder in an attempt to squeeze out “one more litter.”

While there are state and federal laws banning the cruel treatment of animals by licensed breeders, the website said the real problem lies in breeders who are not required to be licensed, or those who operate in flagrant violation of the law.

Who’s a commercial breeder?

Kristen Karr of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture roundly refused to answer any questions regarding the Stutterheim case. Instead she faxed the Bulletin a copy of a pamphlet the NDA produced to outline requirements for commercial dog breeders.

Under the title “Who qualifies as a commercial breeder,” the pamphlet lists:

• Any person who owns or harbors four or more unaltered dogs or cats; who is engaged in the business of breeding dogs or cats; and who sells, exchanges or leases dogs or cats in return for consideration; or who offers to do so.

• Any person who sells, exchanges or leases 31 or more dogs or cats in a 12-month period.

• Any person knowingly selling, exchanging, or leasing any dogs or cats for later retail sales or brokered trading.

Commercial breeders in Nebraska are required to pay the state an annual licensing fee. The costs of the licenses range from $150-$250, depending on the size of the operation.

A qualifying inspection must be conducted by the NDA, according to the pamphlet. Once qualified, licensed, and operating, breeders need to be inspected at least once every two years, the pamphlet said.

Stopping the problem

Local and national authorities agree that the surest way to permanently stop the puppy mill practice is to stop buying their products.

HUUS and Paws-itive Partners in North Platte urge consumers not to purchase animals at pet stores, and especially not from internet breeders.

Puppy Mills often hide their foul practices behind modern, inviting websites that claim the dogs and “family-raised.” Also, mills frequently change their names and locations to stay one step ahead of their reputations.

Breeders who sell directly to consumers via the internet or newspaper advertisements are not subject to the same laws and regulations that commercial breeders are. With no threat of enforcement these breeders often operate in flagrant violation of the 1966 Animal Welfare Act, designed to protect dogs and cats used commercially.

The high demand for pure bred dogs and designer hybrids are what fuels the puppy mill industry, HUUS stated on their website.

Adoption advocates point out that many shelters serve as homes to rescued purebred animals. Additionally, there are many organizations that serve as rescue agencies for specific breeds of dogs, taking animals out of abusive situations and attempting to find them loving homes.

While encouraging people to adopt from shelters, HUUS said that if you do buy from a breeder, make sure you inspect both the animal and facility prior to purchase.

“Legitimate breeders who care about their animals won’t have anything to hide and will be proud to show you around,” the website said.

Should you purchase an animal that gets sick soon after purchase, it is recommended that documentation be kept of everything after the point of sale: initial billing, veterinary treatments and costs, and breeder/seller address and contact information.

If citizens suspect a puppy mill is operating in their area, they are urged to contact local humane societies or law enforcement.

While breeding operations are not inherently illegal in most states, any specific witnessed instances of animal abuse should be reported immediately, HUUS said.