To the editor: Thirty years in the past I investigated pet mills in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma for the Humane Society of america. We uncovered the California pet retailer connection and bought then-Sen. Barbara Boxer concerned. (“Inside California’s brutal underground marketplace for puppies: Uncared for canine, deceived house owners, large earnings,” Sept. 12)
Clearly nothing has modified. The truth that that is nonetheless happening is totally shameful.
It’s time for a nationwide referendum to outlaw pet mills. A rule change petition to rewrite U.S. Division of Agriculture rules in regard to canine care can be a simple place to begin.
We, the folks, have to insist on this reform. We have to determine what we wish to be: a merciless, money-driven society, or a humane society.
We’re higher than this.
Lisa A. Landres, Venice
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To the editor: Because of the L.A. Instances for the superb investigative report on pet mills. As a rescuer, I’m sickened by the variety of canine and cats dying in our L.A. shelter system day by day.
Many occasions, I’ve had folks inform me they “needed to get a canine from a breeder” as a result of they needed a particular breed. Our shelters are over capability with breeds of each kind, and breed-specific rescues are straightforward to search out.
This text illustrates not solely the cruelty and ache these puppies endure by the hands of grasping out-of-state breeders and native re-sellers, but additionally the hazards, monetary and emotional, of acquiring puppies this manner. Most significantly, you might have shined a lightweight on the half that consumers unwittingly play in perpetuating this abuse, just because they needed to like a canine.
Till we cease the killing and the cruelty, please undertake out of your native shelter or rescue group.
Kelli Jo Nicholas, Simi Valley
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To the editor: I’m appalled on the capability for cruelty that people possess. There may be nothing extra disgraceful than the abuse of harmless animals. I couldn’t end the article, as a result of studying it was too painful.
One 12 months in the past, my husband and I adopted a Shiba Inu. She is 4 and was rescued from a pet mill in Ohio, the place she was a breeding feminine. She was pores and skin and bones, and her coat was in such poor form. She has a candy nature however nonetheless spends her time beneath our mattress, and that is after we now have owned her for one 12 months.
There merely should be laws to cease these pet mills completely. Disgrace on the individuals who need these fancy pure-bred canine, Doodles or French bulldogs that come from these horrible locations. These mills wouldn’t exist if folks didn’t purchase these canine.
Please be accountable and undertake a shelter canine.
Meg Fairless, Simi Valley
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To the editor: Thanks for the very in-depth and heartbreaking article about what’s happening on this nation with our canine. No, we’re not consuming them, fortunately, however we’re overbreeding after which killing them for lack of houses.
Opposite to our legal guidelines that say animals are property and never individuals, we flip these sentient, loyal pals into commodities to earn money. This should cease.
Canine are our greatest pals, however sadly, we people are removed from being theirs.
Patty Shenker, Woodland Hills
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To the editor: The standard and rigor that went into this reporting is why I — and hopefully many others — will proceed to assist the L.A. Instances.
These of us who undertake wish to assume that we’re rescuing canine, and a few of us have gotten tricked by unhealthy actors. My hope is that this text ends in crackdowns that may ease the struggling of those poor animals and can assist divert consumers to respectable businesses and shelters.
Many thanks for the perseverance and braveness of reporters Melody Gutierrez and Alene Tchekmedyian.
Miriam Bookey, Santa Monica
