Puppy Mills in Arkansas Put the Natural State on a Dubious List
By: Aaron Nolan
Updated: July 10, 2012
The Humane Society of the United States is taking aim at Arkansas.
The Natural State has made a dubious list as one of the top ten puppy producing states, and the H.S.U.S. believes many of those puppies are from puppy mills.
Gretchen Laffoon is the executive director for the Humane Society of the Ozarks, she said, "This is not the type of top ten list that we want the Natural State to be on."
Laffoon added that puppy mills are horrible for dogs, "If you could close your eyes and have a nightmare of living conditions for an animal, that's what you would see."
As to why Arkansas is on the list, Laffoon said, "The laws in Arkansas are a lot more lenient than other states with lower puppy mill rates."
She also said that the rural nature of state adds to puppy mills in Arkansas.
But the H.S.U.S. has hope, offering a $5,000 reward to anyone that gives a tip leading to an arrest and a conviction of a puppy mill operator.
Laffoon said, "This is the first step, it kind of brings the situation to light."
The Humane Society of the U.S. is asking folks to be aware and not afraid to react and report.
A concept the Humane Society of the Ozarks embraced, "If you expect puppy mill activity, report it immediately to us."
The Humane Society of the Ozarks will keep all calls and tips confidential.
According to the Humane Society the best way to avoid buying a dog from a puppy mill is to make sure you don't purchase on a social website, and especially don't buy a dog in a parking lot or an obscure location. If you want a specific breed the H.S. recommends using the American Kennel Club.
The Natural State has made a dubious list as one of the top ten puppy producing states, and the H.S.U.S. believes many of those puppies are from puppy mills.
Gretchen Laffoon is the executive director for the Humane Society of the Ozarks, she said, "This is not the type of top ten list that we want the Natural State to be on."
Laffoon added that puppy mills are horrible for dogs, "If you could close your eyes and have a nightmare of living conditions for an animal, that's what you would see."
As to why Arkansas is on the list, Laffoon said, "The laws in Arkansas are a lot more lenient than other states with lower puppy mill rates."
She also said that the rural nature of state adds to puppy mills in Arkansas.
But the H.S.U.S. has hope, offering a $5,000 reward to anyone that gives a tip leading to an arrest and a conviction of a puppy mill operator.
Laffoon said, "This is the first step, it kind of brings the situation to light."
The Humane Society of the U.S. is asking folks to be aware and not afraid to react and report.
A concept the Humane Society of the Ozarks embraced, "If you expect puppy mill activity, report it immediately to us."
The Humane Society of the Ozarks will keep all calls and tips confidential.
According to the Humane Society the best way to avoid buying a dog from a puppy mill is to make sure you don't purchase on a social website, and especially don't buy a dog in a parking lot or an obscure location. If you want a specific breed the H.S. recommends using the American Kennel Club.
