Town Hall Meeting on Puppy Mills

Investigative Reporter: John Mercure 5/15/07

Two weeks ago TODAY’S TMJ4 investigative reporter John Mercure exposed the horrid conditions inside Wisconsin puppy mills. In response, half a dozen state lawmakers showed up at the Washington County Humane Society and pledged to do something about the cramped, dirty, damaging conditions inside those mills.

During a two-month investigation, TMJ4 went inside some of Wisconsin’s worst puppy mills. They found dogs living in wire cages coated in feces. Some dogs were so stressed they chewed the paws or tails off other dogs.

This is allowed to happen in Wisconsin because there is no law that specifically regulates puppy mills.

Following their reports, several state legislators are now saying it's time for that to end.

Mercure spoke to more than a dozen lawmakers who said that after seeing our reports, they are working to introduce puppy mill legislation sometime in the next couple of months. And all those efforts seem to have bi-partisan support.

Video

http://www.todaystmj4.com/features/iteam/7519502.html

PLEASE email tmj4feedback@todaystmj4.com and THANK them for their continuing dedication to the cause of regulation of the commercial pet industry in Wisconsin!

From WTMJ 4. Here are the links to two powerful investigations on Puppymills, an interview with Eilene Ribbens Rohde, and an interview with Charlie Sykes.

	Puppymills Part I Article and Video Clip Puppymills Part II Article and Video Clip Video Clip TMJ4 STUDIOS- John Mercure talks with Eilene Ribbens Rohde of the Sheboygan County Humane Society. Audio Clip TMJ4- John Mercure's radio interview with Charlie Sykes All TMJ4 Online Puppymill Story Links Link Wisconsin Puppy Mill Project, Inc. Statewide Media Coverage on Puppymills Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, and West Bend

"What can I do about this puppymill situation?" The answer is simple; contact your state legislators. Call your State Senator. Call your State Representative. Call the Governor. Call anyone that will listen. Email them all.

If you know who your state legislators are, call them or email them directly. That carries the most weight.

You can find their contact information at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us./ Click on Who Represents Me in the middle of the page or call 608-266-9960.

The governor's phone number is 608-266-1212. You can also email the Governor at http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/contact.asp

email: wchs@washingtoncountyhumane.org