Comments on: Vice President - Elect Biden Finds Himself in the Dog House Just in Time for Holidays

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:58:15 +0000

Oh! I forgot to mention: as for the rabid raccoon, the AC officer snared it and put it in his truck to take to the pound to shoot it. Besides the obvious fact that I regret ever calling 911 and Animal Control for the rabid raccoon staggering around my yard, I regret calling my Great Pyrenees off when he was about to kill it. My working dog listened to me and abandoned his quest even though he was about four feet away from the raccoon. The coon was suffering, skinny and soaking wet with slobber and urine all over itself. The coon was reared back on its hind feet and snarling, and my wonderfully obedieht dog turned away. I wish I had let the dog kill the coon. He could have crushed its skull with one bite of his huge jaws, and if that didn’t work, he certainly would have killed the thing with two, maybe three violent shakes. A Great Pyreneese was bred to attack and kill wolves. He can certainly kill a puny sick raccoon. Oh, but that would have been mean to the rabid raccoon, right? Should we have tried to capture and rehabilitate the raccoon? Rabies is a disease you can only get once. It imparts a definite, PERMANENT immunity. My Great Pyr, along with the other dogs, cats and horses, was vaccinated for rabies. The whole incident COULD have been a private matter between us and our vet, for booster shots. He has now passed the word to other clients to AVOID CALLING ANIMAL CONTROL AT ALL COSTS! Rabid animal? Best bet is to grab a gun and shoot it. Feral cats? Shoot them. Pit bulls or other dogs attacking your livestock? SHOOT THEM AND DON’T ADVERTISE THE FACT THAT YOU DID IT. You don’t want to do anything “illegal” or “cruel,” even though the pit bulls are ripping the bellies out of your mini horses and killing them! From what I’ve heard from feed store conversations, I think word has spread far and wide to arm yourself (quite literally!) against animal control and animal rights people. They are idiots. You might want to fill in the blank with your own adjectives to describe them. Their attention and emphasis has shifted away from what is important (animal welfare and responsible husbandry) and has become obsessed with the ridiculous, like animal “rights” to the point of absurdity. We absolutely have the responsibility of proper husbandry and management of animals. Unfortunately, most people don’t have the slightest comprehension of the concept! (I think I’m done!) Laura

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:26:35 +0000

Yes, there are some cases of nasty puppy mills. But Animal Control and especially Animal Rights (and not just the idiots at PETA!) are often worse. Yep, I’m gonna rant! Hear me out! Here in eastern Virginia (near Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Water Country USA, and not that far from PETA HQ), Animal Control is OUT OF CONTROL. They trespass on property without a search warrant, push their way inside people’s houses, and go “shopping” for animals they want… and then snatch them. No paperwork, no chain of custody, no one to answer to. They have gone purebred dog “shopping” and show horse “shopping,” and seized what they could either sell or what they wanted personally. In another part of Virginia, the Equine Rescue League was shopping for show horses to seize and resell in other states. Until I found that out, I had thought they were a good thing. Forget it now! Partially on the advice of our horse vet who warned us of the horse snatching, we have privacy fence and a lock on our gate for the security of our animals and other possessions in outbuildings, and we have a neighbor who watches and lets us know when she sees AC at our gate testing it. We have been taken to court on false reports, and learned the hard way to ALWAYS have a lawyer. A rabid raccoon got on the property last year, and as a result of calling AC about it, I was charged with being a crazy cat lady. I got a lawyer and in court he got the AC officer to admit that he didn’t even know if I had any cats at all (I had six barn cats at the time). This same AC officer also tried to charge a woman with animal neglect for having mud in her horse paddock after a storm, and another for animal cruelty for having a dog that had broken a leg which was under a vet’s care. I have an elderly, lame miniature horse stallion that I’ve had for over 20 years, competed nationally, etc. He long ago earned a retirement home here for life. I’m glad he’s behind a locked gate, and also hidden from view, because AC would almost certainly seize him, and charge me for neglect and cruelty because he has a permanent limp from an old, devastating kick injury to his left stifle (to be precise). As for adopting from animal shelters and rescues, they are way too picky. We keep a Great Pyrenees to patrol the property, with fences absolutely dog-tight (and now raccoon-tight, with the privacy fence). When he passes on from old age before long, we will get a puppy from a breeder, because we don’t “qualify” to adopt. Adopters must keep animals indoors, not “work” the dogs (as they were bred to do), etc. We also keep several Dalmatians to guard the horses, which is what they were bred to do. Do you have any idea how many Dals are in shelters because of “101 Dalmatians”? And we don’t qualify to adopt because we “use” the dogs for their bred purpose! A friend was denied adopting a cat because she has children. I told her to forget the shelter and look for a “free kittens” ad in the paper or on Craigslist. I am thoroughly disgusted with animal shelters and rescues, I don’t want to hear their crying because they can’t find adopters. Beggars can’t be choosers. I have nothing to hide here at my fancy facility, and I have lots of friends and visitors over who would quickly observe anything legitimately cruel or neglectful. It’s also no secret that we are also members of the NRA, and have no qualms about pulling a gun on anyone who breaches our locked gate and no trespassing signs, and sneaks up the driveway and tries to snoop through our barn and house (as Animal Control likes to do). It’s a shame it’s gotten to that, but it has. So don’t blame the farms and breeders. I’ll bet there are far more legitimate ones than sleazy ones. It’s just plain good business. Whew. I’m done, for now!

By: Room222

Room222 — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:57:24 +0000

A man of the people would have adopted a shelter dog. Sooooooo glad I didn’t vote for someone who never thought of taking the humane route. I think I’ll check out a candidate’s method of obtaining a pet before I can trust him.

By: Shanti

Shanti — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 23:09:39 +0000

So for you shallow, selfish, self absorbed sub humans it is more important to choose an animal, with the same logic you may choose a new coat or a packet of cigarettes then protecting the living rights of sentient beings?
It is insanely corrupted then in this society, sentient beings are equated to things, while the “right to choose” is magnified as personal freedom, even when other lives and ethical concerned are involved.
What an anthropocentric view of man at the center of the Universe. (The same view that committed genocide, is destroying the environment and value corporational profits of the few, more then starving exploited workers in developing countries).
So your right to get that particular animals versus thousand of them killed.
If you would have a conscience you would know which option carries more weight.
But sociopaths are not known for having a conscience. If you are not a sociopath one day you could maybe get over the common indoctrination and realize that the personal is political, and that our choices affect others as a whole. You could choose to be an ethical responsible consumer that considers the good of the defenseless and discriminated (animals in this case as the most abused in the biggest number) in his choices.
What about the right of animals not to be killed because of the choices humans make in where to get their commodity, status symbol pet, often to decrease their personal insecurity?
What about the freedom of all those animals that you left painfully dyeing in gas chambers, the holocaust of shelters and pounds because you rather support the business of an unethical breeder?
There are no humane breeders.
When the offspring’s of unneutered pets are surrendered to shelters and are killed (4-6 millions a year just in the US), how could breeding more animals be ethical? We have a pet overpopulation problem that we created with the domestications of certain animals and now we have to take responsibility for it.
Breeders force impregnations of females that often present deadly complications form over breeding, her value is a tool of production, animals are kept in miserable unhealthy conditions, “not so perfect” offspring’s are let to die as if their life were a waste in the name of greed.
Go work a few days at a kill shelters, volunteer to murder innocent pets, looking at you with hope and you will have a totally different opinion of choice and rights!
What about the rights of animal activists, to which conscience tell them they must save innocent victims but they are prevented from doing so by irresponsible owner that surrender their pets as commodities, refuse to spay and neuter so millions unwanted kittens and pups are born each year and die in the corrupted lobby of shelters and pounds when they don’t meet some worse craigslist fate?
People that talk about human rights above the right of other sentient beings to be free of suffering are just not different ideologically and in another time frame, then those that used to oppose the abolition of slavery, in the name of their rights to purchase african americans where they please as an individual right.
Today we find this horrific. One day we will regard breeders and their supporters the same way.
It is all about the objectification, exploitation and abuse of the less powerful classes, species, races. It makes no difference in the concept of exploiting the disadvantage.
The common denominator of the most abused victims, our fellow non human animals!
Aren’t they able to feel pain and desire to live a life base on their basic needs, just like humans?
The most important parameter of ethic includes and extends to biocentrism.
Obviously some rights are more important then others no matter to who they are attributed.
There must be a limit to what we do to animals, their basic interest not to be used as commodities, mean to end, tools, objects have to be taken into account. They have rights to be protected against cruelty and abuse, direct or indirect.
When you think where to purchase a specific breed, think that you are dealing with living creatures not objects and that every choice you make, will support a business that could be ethical or not.
Purebred is an Hitler based concept of pure race coming forward just at a time in which certain humans were considered more deserving then the common folks and needed a purebred pet to show that.
The abolition of breeders will let animals at peace at last. Considering also that most selected breeds insanely altered by humans, have presented a variety of health problems and inability to performed basic functions (for instance persians cats can’t even clean their coat and eyes because their tongue are to short, bulldogs are not even able to mate because of their legs).
Also there are surrendered purebreds in shelters waiting on death row. What did they do to deserve to die? Having loved humans! Have an brain and an heart! Save a life!

By: Luke Thomas

Luke Thomas — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:52:20 +0000

You all can say “we have the right to breed” all you want-but don’t complain when your COUNTY cuts back on EDUCATION and LAW ENFORCEMENT. Did you know most dog pound spend over a million dollars a year running it? Miami-Dade Florida spent $10 MILLION DOLLARS to run their dog pound in 2007 alone and killed 33,000 animals. Due to homelessness.

Did you know that? And did you know MOST people who fail to spay/neuter their pet is the hallmark of an irresponsible owner-who also will fail to vaccinate their animals. Most people dump their cats outside thinking they can fend on their own (they can’t).

$10 million dollars for a single county is NOT exaggerated-its fact. Most medium counties spend over $2 million a year. For the pound. Which is county money.

A pet represents responsibility. If we have mandatory vaccination practices - there SHOULD be mandatory spay/neuter laws due to the enormous EXPENSE of dog pounds. If one wants to breed, they should have a LICENSE and be registered. Due to the high fiscal costs of homeless animals.

WHEN YOU HAVE A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN SOCIETY, YOU CREATE LAWS TO DEAL WITH IT. Pet overpopulation is a HUGE serious problem-they also spread diseases. Did you know on the average 300 KNOWN cats a year get rabies in the United States-homeless and feral cats.

Have a nice day.

By: Tom K

Tom K — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 05:29:13 +0000

Those of you who would put animal rights ahead of human rights are already outside of any group whose views I would consider to be valid. There are so many lies in what you say that there is no use even counting them.

Breeders perpetuate the species that they breed. Human society is so pervasive and will be so pervasive for the forseeable future, barring disasters that will also kill animals, that we have to breed animals in order to keep them alive, and humans have to accept the risks of living with them. If there were such a thing as animal rights, they would have the right to live and breed as domesticated animals. AR people have killed more animals than they have helped and they have prevented necessary breeding. They have also compromised the effect of our civil rights, and this deserves a very nasty response.

People come before animals, and oddly enough, just because people really are worthwhile, we care for and breed literally anything. This would seem to be because of something human that says that we must keep our friends with us, even those we have a hard time getting along with.

It’s incredible that animal rights people ever attacked breeders. Even Jane Goodall just came to the realization that ending captive breeding will end non-human species, even if it doesn’t look like she’s going to handle that realization intelligently. It’s a bad thing to have to get out of one’s head. If there really were canine overpopulation, that’s a lot safer than underpopulation for the dogs. The world also needs more lions, tigers, bears, and so on, and private breeding is what will work.

All of you animal rights people can just keep trying to stop efforts to save animals, but you’re destroying what you pretend to want to save just by being brainless.

By: AmyR

AmyR — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:58:24 +0000

We are not bound by AR philosophy still have the right of choice. To attack another for exercising their RIGHTS is WRONG no matter how morally superior you ‘think’ you are by only advocating shelter dogs. I don’t understand how some are so self righteous they want to make personal decisions for others, amazing! Since you almost demand people follow your way then I would like to demand you only eat generic macaroni and cheese from a box. No brand name in a blue box! It may put tha company out of business but I don’t care!
~makes about as much sense as your tirades. Work at helping the education and low cost NOT mandatory spay & neuter but quit trying to give animals rights while taking away rights of humans.
Kudos to VP elect Biden for making a choice of pet that will fit his family’s needs and wants for the long haul. Hard to believe making an educated and researched decision is being attacked- I call it responsible.

By: DogLover

DogLover — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:30:35 +0000

Biden visited the small UNLICENSED kennel run by Brown - not the K5 licensed kennel that was cited for: maintenance, ventilation, sanitation and housekeeping/pests.

Let’s see what the inspectors found:

There were several broken wires in the outside kennel area. Also, outside fencing near entrance of kennel
had broken piping. In the house there was a medium-sized hole approximately 14” x 6”.

There was a significant smell of ammonia present within the kennel that was not present at the prior inspection.

There was an accumulation of dog hair/dog food underneath the piping in primary enclosures within the house.

Several open bags as well as numerous cobwebs were noted throughout the barn where dogs were housed.

According to Brown, records were “accidentally” thrown out when the staff BEGAN TO CLEAN in anticipation of a possible visit and the warnings were issued AFTER the staff had the opportunity to clean!

Missing paperwork included rabies vaccine records and sale records… this is the type of paperwork lying around a kennel?

Funny that these documents, VERSUS THE COBWEBS, HAIR AND OLD DOG FOOD were tossed out. http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=725444475959

In Pennsylvania a WARNING is issued when PA Dog Law Regulation has been BROKEN. The wardens allow kennel operators the ability to clean up prior to a re-inspection and if the problem areas have not been satisfactorily resolved, a citation is issued. It would be wrong to assume a “warning” is not important - “warnings” ARE violations of the state’s dog law. The citations issued to Brown at the last inspection were for infractions serious enough to warrant immediate issuance of violations/fines.

As for the woman having “pools” I sincerely doubt the dogs can enjoy acquatic exercise when the majority (reportedly 70 dogs) are chained to outdoor igloos. And what good are “pools” when the air is overwhelmingly laden with ammonia fumes due to a failure to clean on a daily basis?

Stop making excuses for a woman who runs a mill and who was kicked out of the AKC for falsifying documents… hey, she seems to have a BIG problem with paperwork, no?

By: Max

Max — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:11:41 +0000

This used to be America…..we used to be able to choose our pets without being harassed for that choice. In the same manner we can choose to buy fresh veggies and wholesome food to eat - rather then being forced to consume someone’s else’s leftovers from the garbage bin. the problem with pets ending up in shelters - has more to do with the jerks who do not have the commitment to love, and care for their dog for life. here’s the top ten reasons for dogs being turned into shelters in Britain - should open your eyes to what the real problem is:

Here is the top 10 list of most irresponsible reasons for abandoning a dog:

:: “My dog doesn’t match the sofa.”

:: “The dog looks evil and has different coloured eyes, just like David Bowie.”

:: “My black dog doesn’t match new white carpet, can we swap him for a white dog?”

:: “My current dog is too old, can we swap for a puppy or younger model?”

:: “My dog ate the Christmas turkey cooling on the worktop.”

:: “My pet guinea pig got worried with a dog in the house.”

:: “The dog opened all the presents on Christmas Eve.”

:: An owner who accidentally knelt in dog mess while cleaning it up brought the dog in the very next day.

:: A puppy bought as a present for elderly couple with dementia.

:: The negative image of Staffordshire Bull Terriers because of their perceived resemblance to Pit Bull-style dogs.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3776640/Owners-give-up-dogs-because-it-doesnt-match-the-sofa.html

By: SacramentoMom

SacramentoMom — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:38:27 +0000

Why on earth are people complaining about Biden’s new family pet? Why the vicious words against this LICENSED large scale dog breeder - who had indoor pools for her dogs?? Is this not still America, where people can choose their own hobbies and businesses? Please, folks, get a dictionary and check out the definition of ‘hate crime,’ because many who object to this family’s choice of dog breeder are skating dangerously close to that federal offense.

The VP-elect chose to ask a well-known, respected, professional police dog trainer’s opinion on the best place to get a well-bred pet for his family from. Did anyone who objects to this breeder notice that fact? Then Mr. Biden followed the expert trainer’s advice. Good for him! He even chose a breed that the animal rights industry is nastily villifying in cities and counties across the country via breed specific legislation - good for him again!

I noticed that Mr. Biden visited the breeder’s kennel in person, with his grandson, with MANY secret service folks who not only were there to protect him, but undoubtedly would tell him if they saw anything wrong with the dogs or people thereat.

It is impossible - IMPOSSIBLE - to know what kind of dog a shelter puppy will grow up to be, because there’s no knowledge of the genetics behind it. The VP-elect obviously wants a pet whose future actions and phenotype will best suit his family. He knows what his family wants. He relied on an EXPERT’s opinion in getting this GSD pup, but also saw the pup’s progenitors and close relatives himself - and took a bunch of people along to verify all was on the up-and-up.

If someone wants to get a shelter dog, go for it. Remember however that 97% of all shelter dogs are not obedience trained - why do you think people dropped them off there in the first place? Plan on taking 6 months to a year or more for most of them to be reliable family members, IF appropriate training and socialization is applied.

Do people objecting to Biden’s new dog really think he and his family will have this kind of time, energy and commitment to spend on a new pet during the next four years? Or … would those who hate large scale commercial breeders prefer that our next VP be like the H$U$’ Prez, Wayne Pacelle, who hasn’t owned an animal in years?

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:29:28 +0000

Each person has the right to purchase their dog from where ever they choose. Not all breeders are bad, the same way not all “puppy mills” are bad. The citations on this breeder were for not having certain paperwork for her adult dogs, and a few stray wiring. NOT abuse, NOT neglect. The woman has indoor pools for her dogs for goodness sake. There will ALWAYS be people who give up their animals whether gotten from a shelter or a breeder. Most dogs in shelters are muts. If someone wants a specific breed of dog they most likely must go to a breeder. Should adoption from shelters be encouraged absolutely. BUT I don’t think that people who buy from a breeder should be riduculed either. HSUS, PETA all those groups push for adoption, invent statistics, and push for Spay/Nueter because they want to do away with pets.

People need to go back to the way this country was 30 years back, where everyone minded their own business. People LIVED and LET LIVE. MY freedom to choose the animal of my choosing, and WHICH animal I will care for is the reason I live in this country. People are coming here and removing the freedoms of others by pushing THEIR beliefs on others. If this continues this will no longer be the land of the free.

As per our US Constitution “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” As long as what I am doing does not affect the rights of another I am free to do it. If you don’t want to buy from a breeder, then Don’t, but don’t push to make breeders illegal, becasue then you are infringing on MY RIGHTS, and MY Pursuit of happiness!

By: Animal Lover

Animal Lover — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:33:44 +0000

OK - just WHERE do you think your shelter dogs come from in the first place? Miraculous conception??? DUH!!!
AND - why, IF there are SOOOOooo many abandoned animals, are there shelters that are actually IMPORTING from Mexico, China, Russia.
Do NOT buy till there are none in the shelters is the same as telling someone they canNOT have a child till there are none in orphanages!!!

Some of you need to read the US Constitution! There are reasons we have our personal rights and liberties. Don’t like them - then LEAVE! I’ll even give you a 1-way ticket! Sure - there are some bad apples in our barrel - but I’d rather be in this barrel than another!!

In other words - MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!!!

By: Flash

Flash — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:02:36 +0000

Selwyn, exactly why do you feel that spay and neuter laws are objectionable? We are avid animal lovers, and Yes, before you even ask we have adopted several dogs and cats from our local shelter. In addition, we regularly donate financially to both local, as well as out of state animal protective agencies. For the life of me, I cannot see how spay and neuter laws are not in the best interests of animals.

Have you ever rescued a starving female dog with pups from the rain and cold? How many kittens have you rescued which have been abandoned and left for dead? You are absolutely wrong: It is cruelty to allow more unwanted animals to be brought into a society where they will likely either, (1) die as a result of starvation or other conditions; or (2) die as a result of lethal injection.

Your freaking cap is on backwards.

By: DogLover

DogLover — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:11:55 +0000

Wolf Den Kennel, owned by Linda Brown, was cited by the PA Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement for numerous violations on December 10, 2008.

See the inspection report here: http://www.nppmwatch.com

The link is below the article entitled:

“Kennel Where Biden Bought Puppy is Cited”

By: rosekelly

rosekelly — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:51:46 +0000

What part of Puppy Mill don’t you understand? The breeder cranks out over 200 pups a year and has for 40 years. This is PENNSYLVANIA for crissakes! It’s not just the AMISH!

By: DogLover

DogLover — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:12:58 +0000

But this isn’t about mandatory spay/neuter or BSL. This is about an individual whom you assume is educated yet made a very bad decision that set an extremely poor example for others.

It ranks right up there with Disney putting out a holiday film featuring a pure bred dog each and every December.

The rescue community is already groaning at the thought of the thousands of unwanted Goldens who will be dumped at shelters by families who felt inspired after watching “Marley & Me” and, for one reason or another, surrender their new dog when they realize they can not handle the responsibility for whatever reason.

It’s estimated that approximately 25% of all shelter dogs are pure breds. If those who advocate breeding and the AKC standard would only rescue and rehome the pure breds from the shelters we’d be way ahead of the game!

But they don’t.

People say “Biden has the right to buy from a reputable breeder” but the woman he bought from isn’t reputable and I challenge anyone on short notice to find a “reputable” breeder. The truth is, “reputable” breeders don’t advertise - they don’t have to and the best of the best have waiting lists for their litters.

Canine overpopulation and overbreeding isn’t just a problem in the United States, either. News recently broke in Europe where several key sponsors including the RSPCA, Pedigree and even the BBC have withdrawn from Crufts, the British version of the AKC dog show DUE TO CONCERNS RELATED TO OVERBREEDING!!

“BBC officials said Friday that the network had suspended coverage of the 2009 Crufts show “pending further investigations into the health and well-being of pedigree dogs in the U.K.””

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7779686.stm

So what’s the answer? People say that when you adopt a dog from a shelter you don’t know what you’re getting. The truth is that those who buy from a commercial breeder don’t know what they’re buying! At least when you adopt you know your money is going to an agency that HELPS animals versus to a commercial breeder who will line their pockets at the expense of the very creatures they profess to care about.

When you adopt or rescue you actually help TWO animals: the dog who is adopted gets a new home and this makes room for another dog in need shelter.

Please don’t breed or buy while homeless dogs die. Save a life - ADOPT.

By: selwyn marock

selwyn marock — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:04:37 +0000

Dog-lover much of what you say is correct but
what is definitely objectionable in my book
is spay and neuter laws as advocated by organisations like peta which is purely for the ethnic cleansing of a breed over a 15 year period,a man known as Adolph Hitler tried it,it did not work as you are aware there are still Jewish people around,it was an EVIL law then as it is now,just different victims the same applies to BSL.

By: DogLover

DogLover — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:07:48 +0000

There is a TREMENDOUS canine overpopulation problem; in 2007 more than 84,000 dogs entered PA shelters and that does NOT include the dogs who entered private rescue. The real question is how many made it out alive.

It makes no sense to be euthanizing perfectly healthy pets simply because a human being deems an animal to be “disposable.”

To encourage rescue over purchasing from a high volume commercial breeder is an ethical position; to give money to a breeder who doesn’t care what happens to creatures s/he is creating and who breeds simply for the money is disgusting.

Since you’re so gung ho on being able to do whatever you want with animals, why not volunteer a couple of hours at a shelter on euthanasia day? YOU be the person inserting the needle and killing healthy dogs and then let’s see if feel any differently.