Letter: Animal cruelty, abuse in local puppy mills - Opinion - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

It has been brought to the Boone County Board’s attention that there is a need for additional requirements concerning a special-use permit when applying for a breeding/boarding kennel permit in Boone County. There have been two of these facilities discovered in Boone County that made the list of “101 Puppy Mills: A Sampling of Problem Puppy Mills in the United States” by the Humane Society of the United States. In case you are not aware, a tremendous amount of abuse is inflicted on the dogs in these types of facilities.

The intention and goal of these additional requirements are to ensure safer, more humane living conditions for these dogs. The current guidelines are vague and allow for mistreatment of the animals to occur.

Boone County Board Chairman Bob Walberg has chosen to form an ad hoc committee

to address these concerns. The objective of this committee is to get all of the appropriate input and

to represent all interests concerning this issue. This committee should consist of a fair and balanced group of people with varying views on animal welfare.

It was suggested by a member of a local animal advocacy organization to Mr. Walberg that this group consist of nine people: two veterinarians, two animal rescue group representatives, two licensed breeders, two citizens and an animal control officer. Mr. Walberg has chosen only seven people: a Boone County board member, a veterinarian, a former breeder, a breeder, a breeder/boarder, an employee of that breeder/boarder and an animal advocate.

It appears to me and many others that his choice of people for this committee is absolutely NOT fair and balanced. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Keep in mind that it is the breeders who inflict the abuse and neglect upon the dogs in these facilities. The whole purpose of these additional requirements is to PROTECT animals.

A committee that consists of one farmer and a group of breeders is a distinct conflict of interest.

And it hardly seems like the proper group to be writing these new requirements.

Also, these meetings are, by law, to be held in open meetings with the public welcome and encouraged to attend. The Boone County Board must also post a notice of location, date and time of these meetings.

In conclusion, if you are concerned with the reputation of our county, if you care about the dogs in these facilities, if you dislike unfairness and bias in your local government: please let Walberg (815-544-2100; bwalberg@boonecountyil.org) know that you disagree with the group of people chosen for this committee.

This is a perfect opportunity for YOU to do something for the dogs — BE THEIR VOICE!

 

Marie Arnquist, Belvidere

 

Letter: Animal cruelty, abuse in local puppy mills - Opinion - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL