- Signatures: 4,959
- Goal: 1,500
- Deadline: 8-25-2007
See Full Petition
Email this Petition
IMPORTANT UPDATE: A HUGE thanks to those of you who signed our Petition, made personal calls and wrote letters to the CEO, Robert Restrepo, Jr. Because of YOU, State Auto has made the decision to discontinue their relationship with the Buckeye Dog Auction effective June 30, 2007!
Since 2003, the Buckeye Dog Auction in Millersburg, OH has grown into anything but run-of-the-mill. Most (if not all) breeders who participate in this event are raising large numbers of puppies for profit in mills - mass dog breeding establishments with living conditions characterized by overcrowding, filth, and lack of food, water, shelter and little to no veterinary care. Many of these puppies and adult dogs are hauled to the auction in tractor trailers like domestic livestock and some breeds are able to fetch more than a few thousand dollars, while others can net hundreds of dollars for the seller.
By signing this petition, you are asking Robert Restrepo, Jr., Chairman, CEO and President of State Auto Mutual Insurance Company, to terminate the auction bond (Certificate # 6913179) for this event effective immediately.
For more information concerning this event, please visit http://BanOhioDogAuctions.com/
CONTACTS TO VOICE YOUR OPINION:
Robert Restrepo, Jr.
Chairman, CEO and President
State Auto Mutual Insurance Company
518 East Broad Street
Since 2003, the Buckeye Dog Auction in Millersburg, OH has grown into anything but run-of-the-mill. Most (if not all) breeders who participate in this event are raising large numbers of puppies for profit in mills - mass dog breeding establishments with living conditions characterized by overcrowding, filth, and lack of food, water, shelter and little to no veterinary care. Many of these puppies and adult dogs are hauled to the auction in tractor trailers like domestic livestock and some breeds are able to fetch more than a few thousand dollars, while others can net hundreds of dollars for the seller.
By signing this petition, you are asking Robert Restrepo, Jr., Chairman, CEO and President of State Auto Mutual Insurance Company, to terminate the auction bond (Certificate # 6913179) for this event effective immediately.
For more information concerning this event, please visit http://BanOhioDogAuctions.com/
CONTACTS TO VOICE YOUR OPINION:
Robert Restrepo, Jr.
Chairman, CEO and President
State Auto Mutual Insurance Company
518 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-464-5000
Toll-Free: 800-444-9950
Fax: 614-719-0143
http://www.stateauto.com/
Kyle Anderson
Director, Media Relations
State Auto Mutual Insurance Company
518 East Broad Street
Phone: 614-464-5000
Toll-Free: 800-444-9950
Fax: 614-719-0143
http://www.stateauto.com/
Kyle Anderson
Director, Media Relations
State Auto Mutual Insurance Company
518 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-464-5000
Toll-Free: 800-444-9950
Fax: 614-719-0143
kyle.anderson@stateauto.com
To Locate a State Auto agent near you:
http://www.stateauto.com/stateAuto/LocateAgent/locatenew.asp
Thomas W. Sharp
Assistant Vice President, Compliance
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
E-mail: TWS@akc.org
Phone: 614-464-5000
Toll-Free: 800-444-9950
Fax: 614-719-0143
kyle.anderson@stateauto.com
To Locate a State Auto agent near you:
http://www.stateauto.com/stateAuto/LocateAgent/locatenew.asp
Thomas W. Sharp
Assistant Vice President, Compliance
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
E-mail: TWS@akc.org
LIST OF BREEDERS AT THE 8/26 AUCTION:
Aaron Miller
Abe L. Yoder
Adrian Burkholder
Albert Stutzman
Albert Stutzman
Ammon Buckholder
Andy J. Yoder
Anna Hensel
Annette Newswanger
Benjamin Oberholtzer
Berlin Pets
Country View Pets
Crosco Acres
Da-Le Kennel
Dan and Jacob Bowman
Daniel Hochstetler
Daniel Kline
Daniel Kline
Daniel Schlabach
David D. Yoder
David Hershberger
David M. Miller
Dennis Hershberger
Eli J. Miller
Eli J. Yoder
Eli N. Hershberger
Emanuel M. Yoder
Ervin A. Yoder
Ervin J. Miller
Ferman Schlabach
Glenda Thompson
Gloria Whitmer
Harold Neuhart
Harvey Burkholder
Harvey Yoder
Henry E. Mast
Jacob Swartzentruber
James Mullet
Jason Schlabach
J-Mar Kennel
Joe Yoder
John Garman
John Garman
John Oren Miller, Jr.
Joseph L. Hershberger
Joseph Miller
Katie A. Yoder
Leroy A. Troyer
Levi A. Miller
Levi D. Troyer
Levi J. Miller
Marlin A,. Troyer
Marvin A. Graber
Matthew Hostetler
Mervin Raber
Michelle Picknell
Mose A. Schlabach
Mose Beachy
Mose Hershberger
Nelson Hershberger
Owen R. Hershberger
Paul E. Yoder
Phillip Geiser
Pine Grove Kennel
PPF Farms
Raber's Kennel
Reuben K. Swarey
Reuben L. Troyer
Reuben Schlabach
Reuben's Swarztentruber
Robert Brady
Robert Coblentz
Robert M. Yoder
Roman R. Miller
Rondell Lepley
Roy A., Yoder
Roy D. Yoder
Samuel Miller
Steven H. Yoder
Steven R. Troyer
Vernon E., Yoder
Vernon Weaver
Walk's Pups
Wayne Miller
Aaron Miller
Abe L. Yoder
Adrian Burkholder
Albert Stutzman
Albert Stutzman
Ammon Buckholder
Andy J. Yoder
Anna Hensel
Annette Newswanger
Benjamin Oberholtzer
Berlin Pets
Country View Pets
Crosco Acres
Da-Le Kennel
Dan and Jacob Bowman
Daniel Hochstetler
Daniel Kline
Daniel Kline
Daniel Schlabach
David D. Yoder
David Hershberger
David M. Miller
Dennis Hershberger
Eli J. Miller
Eli J. Yoder
Eli N. Hershberger
Emanuel M. Yoder
Ervin A. Yoder
Ervin J. Miller
Ferman Schlabach
Glenda Thompson
Gloria Whitmer
Harold Neuhart
Harvey Burkholder
Harvey Yoder
Henry E. Mast
Jacob Swartzentruber
James Mullet
Jason Schlabach
J-Mar Kennel
Joe Yoder
John Garman
John Garman
John Oren Miller, Jr.
Joseph L. Hershberger
Joseph Miller
Katie A. Yoder
Leroy A. Troyer
Levi A. Miller
Levi D. Troyer
Levi J. Miller
Marlin A,. Troyer
Marvin A. Graber
Matthew Hostetler
Mervin Raber
Michelle Picknell
Mose A. Schlabach
Mose Beachy
Mose Hershberger
Nelson Hershberger
Owen R. Hershberger
Paul E. Yoder
Phillip Geiser
Pine Grove Kennel
PPF Farms
Raber's Kennel
Reuben K. Swarey
Reuben L. Troyer
Reuben Schlabach
Reuben's Swarztentruber
Robert Brady
Robert Coblentz
Robert M. Yoder
Roman R. Miller
Rondell Lepley
Roy A., Yoder
Roy D. Yoder
Samuel Miller
Steven H. Yoder
Steven R. Troyer
Vernon E., Yoder
Vernon Weaver
Walk's Pups
Wayne Miller
| Number | Date | Name | City | State | Country | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,971 | 5:07 pm PDT, Jul 4 | Anonymous | Wheeling | West Virginia | United States | I attended the dog sale at Farmerstown, Ohio and rescued a young female Cavalier. The Amish community should get back to being real farmers. Why doesn't the I.R.S. get involved with shutting this down? I doubt these people pay taxes on their income. Cash & carry! |
| 4,970 | 1:52 pm PDT, Jul 3 | greta malkotzoglou | Athens | Greece | ||
| 4,969 | 10:03 pm PDT, Jul 1 | lindsay zaborowski | beaverton | Michigan | United States | |
| 4,968 | 7:08 pm PDT, Jun 26 | Rachel Raker | White House | Tennessee | United States | |
| 4,967 | 12:41 pm PDT, Jun 23 | Carol Smittle | Sardis | Ohio | United States | |
| 4,966 | 9:10 am PDT, Jun 18 | debbie burnup | Gold Coast | Australia | ||
| 4,965 | 8:33 am PDT, Jun 14 | Liz Bazner | lexington | Kentucky | United States | |
| 4,964 | 7:31 pm PDT, Jun 13 | Anne Barton | Ephrata | Pennsylvania | United States | |
| 4,963 | 2:19 pm PDT, Jun 13 | Lisa Nezbeth | Newton Falls | Ohio | United States | I do not understand how any human could treat an animal like this. I have 2 dogs, 4 cats and love them like they are my children. I could never ever treat any animal, be it stray or my own in such a manner. All of these breeders deserve to go to JAIL!!! I think that they should all be shoved into a cage like they put those poor animals in and left in their own waste and not properly fed and see how they enjoy it. They are a poor exuse for a human and don't deserve to live!! |
| 4,962 | 9:01 am PDT, Jun 12 | Joyce Castrigano | Avon | Ohio | United States | It's amazing that in this day and age that this still goes on. Let's work together now to stop this! |
| 4,961 | 9:25 am PDT, Jun 9 | Ann Honnigford | Chicago | Illinois | United States | This inhumane treatment of animals should not be tolerated - thousands of innocent animals are put to sleep each year while inconsiderate breeders continue to add to the problem of overpopulation. Please make this stop! |
| 4,960 | 8:30 pm PDT, Jun 7 | MaryAnn Meyer | Salem | Oregon | United States | PLEASE DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO STOP THE SUFFERING |
| 4,959 | 5:02 am PDT, Jun 5 | Margaret Ross | Fitchburg | Wisconsin | United States | |
| 4,958 | 11:12 pm PDT, Jun 4 | mollie morrissette | Willits | California | United States | I think puppy mills are a blight to humanity. Our society should be ashamed that we allow individuals and corporations to treat animals with such disdain and that there only value is a financial one. Shame shame shame! |
| 4,957 | 7:13 am PDT, Jun 4 | anna strattan | Endicott | New York | United States | Stop puppymills now! |
| 4,956 | 1:51 pm PDT, Jun 2 | Peggy Heigh | Windsor | Canada | This is disgusting. These people should be made to live in the same circumstances, see how they like it! I always thought their horses looked ill treated, I never saw them with a dog. | |
| 4,955 | 2:20 pm PDT, May 31 | Jenny Anderson | Concord | North Carolina | United States | This entire practice is disgusting and inhumane. All of my current and future dogs are/will be from shelters. We have too many homeless dogs being put down as it is. Shelter dogs are the best!! |
| 4,954 | 1:23 pm PDT, May 31 | Annelies Ooms | Westerlo | Belgium | ||
| 4,953 | 8:42 pm PDT, May 29 | Mellissa Masten | Zanesville | Ohio | United States | I think it is down right wrong for there to even be puppy mills I believe that there needs to be a law passed to ban this and any one cot operating one should have a big fine and do jail time. |
| 4,952 | 1:07 pm PDT, May 29 | Anonymous | Chicago | Illinois | United States | I hate all puppy mills and the people who are involved with them. Dogs are like people. They feel just like us. Shame on the Amish community! |
| 4,951 | 1:00 pm PDT, May 29 | Anonymous | westerville | Ohio | United States | |
| 4,950 | 12:22 pm PDT, May 23 | Anonymous | Columbus | Ohio | United States | It is cruel to dogs to treat them as cattle. They need love and attention and a warm house to sleep in. This is wrong please stop these puppy mills. |
| 4,949 | 12:02 pm PDT, May 16 | Ginger Geronimo | Birmingham | Alabama | United States | |
| 4,948 | 4:12 am PDT, May 14 | Cynthia Teague | Lockport | New York | United States | Not only is this cruel to animals, but to the future owners who cannot understand the behavior of thier unsocialized pet. Dogs are part of our families because of their faithfulness to us. This breaks that trust and often cannot be repaired. |
| 4,947 | 7:32 am PDT, May 12 | Shannon O'Herron | Peninsula | Ohio | United States | |
| 4,946 | 4:33 pm PDT, May 1 | margaret Fithian | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | United States | Dogs are NOT livestock. They are companion animals. Stop the dog Auctions! |
| 4,945 | 2:47 pm PDT, Apr 29 | Maryann Kollas | Mount Vernon | Ohio | United States | I have been to a dog auction and very strongly feel our congressmen/women, city council etc...should go as well. Just show up one time and walk through. Especially if they have a dog themselves. These dogs are dirty,scared, and so very negleted in every way. They deserve better and it is our duty to provide them with such! |
| 4,944 | 1:10 pm PDT, Apr 29 | Kimberly J. Morgan | Naperville | Illinois | United States | This is the most disgusting thing that I have ever heard of. Those people should be kept in the exact same circumstances for the rest of their lives. |
| 4,943 | 8:27 am PDT, Apr 26 | Lynn Lie | Surabaya | Indonesia | ||
| 4,942 | 9:22 am PDT, Apr 25 | Tyann Davis | Columbus | Ohio | United States | This should be outlawed immediately! Normal everday people would be turned in for the way these people treat dogs, why shouldn't these so called "breeders." Stop this immediately! |
| 4,941 | 11:33 am PDT, Apr 23 | Sherry Resnick | Coral Springs | Florida | United States | Outlaw this and the Amish as well, how dare this happen in 2008, the poor defensless dogs......they feel the same pain we do, they just can not voice it!! |
| 4,940 | 4:38 pm PDT, Apr 22 | Connie Saltis | Cleveland | Ohio | United States | I can not get the images of these poor dogs out of my mind. We need to stand up and fight for these animals. |
| 4,939 | 12:39 am PDT, Apr 22 | Rachel Lovegrove | Loule | Portugal | This is NOT God's work. Shame on you! | |
| 4,938 | 11:25 pm PDT, Apr 20 | Lois Meyer | Darien | Connecticut | United States | Please stop these animal auctions. They are inhuman and cruel. Thank You, Lois Meyer |
| 4,937 | 10:38 pm PDT, Apr 20 | Jennifer Ramos | Cheyenne | Wyoming | United States | This is so sad and this is exactly where the pet-over-population is coming from. Only lobby breeding should be legal. Pleas stop this abuse now and forever,its been going on too long. Where is justice for animals.There are humans hurting really from this too. |
| 4,936 | 7:16 pm PDT, Apr 20 | Ann Farren | West Seneca | New York | United States | I want to become very involved in this cause, I love my dog so much; they are smart, adorable and loving, each are individualized little characters with minds of their own that feels pain. It is inhumane to treat them in such a manner! |
| 4,935 | 12:55 pm PDT, Apr 19 | Jacquelyn Mikulic | Lakewood | Ohio | United States | Ifthe Amish people are so religious and pious they should read Proverbs 12:10 "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast." I personally will never spend one cent in Amish Country. |
| 4,934 | 11:32 am PDT, Apr 19 | Anthony Gilbert- Harris | Vilamoura | Portugal | ||
| 4,933 | 4:13 am PDT, Apr 19 | Cynthia Bell | Girard | Ohio | United States | Please help stop this cruel and inhumane treatment of these beautiful dogs. |
| 4,932 | 11:37 pm PDT, Apr 18 | Lynda Lewis-Pratt | Ascot | United Kingdom | ||
| 4,931 | 7:52 pm PDT, Apr 18 | Amy Jones | Lilburn | Georgia | United States | This is a heartless industry. People who do this to helpless animals deserve the same treatment. |
| 4,930 | 4:44 pm PDT, Apr 18 | Anonymous | durango | Colorado | United States | tired of all the greed and lack of compassion |
| 4,929 | 1:36 pm PDT, Apr 18 | Kelly Cheek | Lousiville` | Kentucky | United States | As rescuers - we are coming.... |
| 4,928 | 12:59 pm PDT, Apr 18 | Anonymous | Mifflinburg | Pennsylvania | United States | This is deplorable, and these people call them selves "people of God". God would not treat the creatures he loves in this fashion. And "God Will Not BE Mocked" |
| 4,927 | 12:05 pm PDT, Apr 18 | Katie Dennis | Ann Arbor | Michigan | United States | PLEASE STOP BREEDING DOGS. Too many loving, beautiful creatures are waiting for homes. This is a monstrous industry. |
| 4,926 | 11:39 am PDT, Apr 18 | ingrid moody | norwalk | Connecticut | United States | diesgusting, it make sme cry, and want to love all 7 of my rescue dogs even more. god bless them all, and may st.francis help them along. |
| 4,925 | 7:44 am PDT, Apr 17 | Walter Bakos | Depew | New York | United States | These people must go into the prison system schools and raise their state of consciousness until such time they get the POINT!!! They should be caged also with little food and water just to keep them alive until such time until they feel the same sensations as those whom they abused!! I will pray for them as well!!! |
| 4,924 | 7:34 am PDT, Apr 17 | Stacey Lamp | Newark | Ohio | United States | Breeding should be against the law. It would cut down on the number of animals killed each year. It's horrible. |
| 4,923 | 10:31 am PDT, Apr 16 | Anonymous | Powell | Ohio | United States | |
| 4,922 | 7:26 am PDT, Apr 16 | Tom Amlie | Mount Joy | Pennsylvania | United States | God has a special place in Hell for these people. Maybe they'll be locked in wire cages, one above the other, and forced to breed until they die. Then they'll be tossed in the field to decompose. Then the cycle repeats for all eternity. |
| 4,921 | 3:12 pm PDT, Apr 14 | sandy peters | newark | Ohio | United States | |
| 4,920 | 2:22 pm PDT, Apr 14 | Jessica Lippert | Fairfield | Ohio | United States | |
| 4,919 | 1:58 pm PDT, Apr 14 | Robin Savage | Exmore | Virginia | United States | How can we continue to allow this horrible industry to continue to thrive and grow? If people would stop supporting the AKC, adopt shelter dogs and stop buying purebreeds and start rescueing them instead, it wouldn't take long for this horrible industry to shut its doors! |
| 4,918 | 3:03 pm PDT, Apr 13 | Anonymous | Newark | Ohio | United States | |
| 4,917 | 10:07 pm PDT, Apr 9 | Jan Reed | Pomona | California | United States | I'm originally from NE Ohio. I visit once a year always taking in the sites. My favorite places to visit and to shop for antiques were Berlin Millersberg and Sugar Creek to name a few. Living in LA I always enjoyed stepping back into time and embracing the beautiful countryside and life simplified that these towns had to offer. Afer hearing about the Buckeye Dog Auction I am appaulled. How could this be happening in the United States of America?!! Since when are the Amish ABOVE the law?? How could my beloved home state of Ohio allow this cruelty to continue??? I will do everything in my power to help shut puppy mills down nation wide. Shame on you Ohio and the US-I thought we were better than this. signed, Jan Reed |
| 4,916 | 7:50 am PDT, Apr 9 | Sandy Mannino Sr. | maple hts | Ohio | United States | I am the animal warden for the city of Maple Heights Ohio. Very proud of my job and the work I do is very rewarding most of the time.It is place like this Buckeye dog auction that keep my work plentiful. Sick dogs and puppies are sold to people with no knowledge whatsover of illness , disease, etc. They think they are getting a great dog for a great price. NOT !!! Please stop this ungodly doing . I need a day off. |
| 4,915 | 6:27 pm PDT, Apr 6 | Deborah Davis | Medina | Ohio | United States | |
| 4,914 | 1:43 am PDT, Apr 6 | Stacey Long | Warsaw | Ohio | United States | holmes county should stick to auctioning off antiques and amish made furniture, theres enough homeless animals in the world, no need to breed them just to auction them off. |
| 4,912 | 4:04 pm PDT, Apr 5 | VICKI HARDMAN | APOLLO BEACH | Florida | United States | HOW LONG CAN THIS BARBARIC ANIMAL TORTURE CONTINUE ? AND WE CALL OURSELVES CIVILIZED ???? !!!!!!!! |
| 4,911 | 8:38 pm PDT, Apr 4 | Katie Brodie | Uniontown | Ohio | United States | |
| 4,910 | 5:47 pm PDT, Mar 30 | Anonymous | Rockwood | Pennsylvania | United States | I want the suffering for these dogs to stop |
| 4,909 | 1:51 pm PDT, Mar 30 | Marcie Jascor | Wausau | Wisconsin | United States | Please stop the cruelty! |
| 4,908 | 12:30 pm PDT, Mar 30 | Chelsea Kennett | Baldwin | New York | United States | Thjis is disgusting. We need to work together to stop puppy mills and these horrific dog auctions. |
| 4,907 | 5:32 pm PDT, Mar 28 | e e hunt | dayton | Ohio | United States | |
| 4,906 | 11:03 pm PDT, Mar 21 | Anonymous | Edison | New Jersey | United States | Horrific! |
| 4,905 | 3:59 pm PDT, Mar 19 | Anonymous | Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | United States | As a person who has volunteered,trained, adopted animals for 30 years, it has become impossible to make a difference due to the huge growth of people resorting to the practice of indiscriminate breeding, poor care, selling/auctioning (rather than placing animals in appropriate homes). Please help the thousands of rescue people help these innocent animals. |
| 4,904 | 2:47 pm PDT, Mar 18 | M. Kucyr | Lexington | Ohio | United States | I Love all animals they should be treated as well as people are treated. We live among amish and I knew about the puppy mills, but not about the conditions the animals are kept in. I would love to help recue some of the dogs. We have a farm and lots of different animals. |
| 4,903 | 6:50 pm PDT, Mar 17 | leslie wiegand | rock creek | Ohio | United States | This is a cruel and disgusting way for a animal to live and try and survive. How would you feel having no love, attention, living in filth, disease, a small cage-never being let out, and agony. People see them as "just dogs" or "animals", these creatures also have feelings, emotions and hearts. they are living breathing creatures whom deserve a chance to live a heathly happy life. Not being scared or worrying when the next meal, if any, may arrive. What the next trip may bring them. Please help stop these auctions. They are beyond cruel and heartless....Please help them. Please. |
| 4,902 | 7:44 pm PDT, Mar 15 | Robin Buck | Mount Gilead | Ohio | United States | It is just wrong to get rich using another life. Animals need loving care just like humans do. All animal auction have to be stopped. |
| 4,901 | 9:34 am PDT, Mar 15 | Heather Marks | Mckinney | Texas | United States | Breeders have got to be stopped and now! There are too many perfect shelter dogs that need loving homes! Go adopt today! |
Justice for Dogs Sold during the Buckeye Dog Auction
Dear Mr. Restrep, Jr.:
We are signing this Petition as concerned citizens who have recently learned of your company’s business relationship with Ervin Raber, Manager of the Buckeye Dog Auction. As proud owners and lovers of companion pets, we respectfully request that you terminate the auction bond issued for this event due to the following:
1. Since 2004, the Buckeye Dog Auction in Millersburg, OH has grown into anything but run of the mill. The majority of breeders from Holmes, Tuscarawas and Coshocton counties who participate in this event are raising large numbers of puppies for profit in mills - mass dog breeding establishments with living conditions characterized by overcrowding, filth, and lack of food, water and little to no veterinary care. Many of these puppies and adult dogs are hauled to the auction in tractor trailers (which is against USDA regulations), and some breeds are able to fetch more than a few thousand dollars, while others can net hundreds of dollars for the seller.
2. In November 2005, Mr. Raber was quoted as saying to the New Philadelphia Times Reporter, “I am currently the president of the Ohio Pro Dog Breeders Assn. and in our opinion there is no such thing as a puppy mill." Sadly, there is much compelling evidence to prove otherwise. In an undercover investigation conducted by Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), many of the licensed dog breeding and brokering facilities represented at the Buckeye Dog Auction were found to be in clear violation of USDA regulations - http://www.caps-web.org/240x192x240_ohio_pennsylvania.php.
3. Dog auctions are illegal in Pennsylvania, so many of those state’s mill breeders travel two hours west to Holmes County, where the Buckeye Dog Auction is legal. In May 2006, undercover investigations conducted by WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News reporter Sheldon Ingram, revealed evidence that dogs brought to this sale are “fed and bred” – they eat and relieve themselves in the same 2-by-2-foot cage for about eight years until their breeding days are done. - http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/9161328/detail.html.
4. In August 2006, Mose Hershberger, a breeder from Clark Township who annually participates in the Buckeye Dog Auction, was quoted as saying to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "Dogs are livestock.” Sadly, it is because of this mindset that Ohio is quickly gaining the reputation as the puppy mill capital of the Midwest.
5. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) strongly opposes the sale, through pet shops and similar outlets, of puppies and dogs from mass-breeding establishments such as those represented at the Buckeye Dog Auction. Unfortunately, a dog's lifespan is often longer than a consumer's desire to maintain their "product." As a result, millions of dogs are sent to animal shelters every year, where roughly half will be euthanized. The HSUS estimates that one in four of the dogs that enter U.S. animal shelters is purebred - http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/get_the_facts_on_puppy_mills/index.html
Mr. Restrepo, it is our belief that dogs offer many gifts to the human race, the greatest of which is serving as a companion to people who have experienced a debilitating accident or injury.
We are signing this Petition as concerned citizens who have recently learned of your company’s business relationship with Ervin Raber, Manager of the Buckeye Dog Auction. As proud owners and lovers of companion pets, we respectfully request that you terminate the auction bond issued for this event due to the following:
1. Since 2004, the Buckeye Dog Auction in Millersburg, OH has grown into anything but run of the mill. The majority of breeders from Holmes, Tuscarawas and Coshocton counties who participate in this event are raising large numbers of puppies for profit in mills - mass dog breeding establishments with living conditions characterized by overcrowding, filth, and lack of food, water and little to no veterinary care. Many of these puppies and adult dogs are hauled to the auction in tractor trailers (which is against USDA regulations), and some breeds are able to fetch more than a few thousand dollars, while others can net hundreds of dollars for the seller.
2. In November 2005, Mr. Raber was quoted as saying to the New Philadelphia Times Reporter, “I am currently the president of the Ohio Pro Dog Breeders Assn. and in our opinion there is no such thing as a puppy mill." Sadly, there is much compelling evidence to prove otherwise. In an undercover investigation conducted by Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), many of the licensed dog breeding and brokering facilities represented at the Buckeye Dog Auction were found to be in clear violation of USDA regulations - http://www.caps-web.org/240x192x240_ohio_pennsylvania.php.
3. Dog auctions are illegal in Pennsylvania, so many of those state’s mill breeders travel two hours west to Holmes County, where the Buckeye Dog Auction is legal. In May 2006, undercover investigations conducted by WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News reporter Sheldon Ingram, revealed evidence that dogs brought to this sale are “fed and bred” – they eat and relieve themselves in the same 2-by-2-foot cage for about eight years until their breeding days are done. - http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/9161328/detail.html.
4. In August 2006, Mose Hershberger, a breeder from Clark Township who annually participates in the Buckeye Dog Auction, was quoted as saying to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "Dogs are livestock.” Sadly, it is because of this mindset that Ohio is quickly gaining the reputation as the puppy mill capital of the Midwest.
5. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) strongly opposes the sale, through pet shops and similar outlets, of puppies and dogs from mass-breeding establishments such as those represented at the Buckeye Dog Auction. Unfortunately, a dog's lifespan is often longer than a consumer's desire to maintain their "product." As a result, millions of dogs are sent to animal shelters every year, where roughly half will be euthanized. The HSUS estimates that one in four of the dogs that enter U.S. animal shelters is purebred - http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/get_the_facts_on_puppy_mills/index.html
Mr. Restrepo, it is our belief that dogs offer many gifts to the human race, the greatest of which is serving as a companion to people who have experienced a debilitating accident or injury.
The next Buckeye Dog Auction is scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2006 with additional auctions scheduled for October 7, 2006 and November 25, 2006.
As Forbes magazine’s choice as the 2006 “Best Managed” Insurance company in America, please show that you are against the business practices of these breeders by canceling coverage for this event effective immediately.
.
As Forbes magazine’s choice as the 2006 “Best Managed” Insurance company in America, please show that you are against the business practices of these breeders by canceling coverage for this event effective immediately.
.
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