Update (10 p.m.): A report tonight by 10TV.com only makes the story below even worse. The Circleville Law Director in the report below has stated “the present law on cruelty of companion animals does not directly prohibit omissions or neglect of the animals, but only acts of cruelty.”

It’s either an asinine interpretation of the law or an asinine law. But then, as reported by 10TV.com, Gary Kenworthy went on to say, “Much of the conditions of the Beachy dogs were best described as resulting from neglect, but no actual acts of cruelty.”

I hope no children are being neglected in this community.

Original Post:

An Amish breeder in Ohio had faced 34 counts of cruelty to animals, as a result of the “seizure of 52 mistreated and sick dogs were from his Pickaway County property on Oct. 1,” as reported by the Norwalk Reflector on August 6.

Rather than take the case to court this week, local officials chose to “conditionally dismissed” the charges. With the inappropriate deal, the breeder has reportedly agreed to not to breed dogs to sell puppies for one year. But get this – the deal goes on to allow him to breed if he uses supervised care by a veterinarian.

The Reflector quoted the breeder’s attorney as saying, “Mr. Beachy is most pleased. He does believe this was a crusade against Amish breeders …”

For one thing, there should be a crusade to shut down Amish breeders. And with non-punishments such as this, anyone accused of crime like this would be pleased.

And I simply could not believe the incredibly uneducated statement attributed to Circleville Law Director Gary Kenworthy. He apparently stated the poor condition of the dogs was “best attributed to neglect, such as a lack of grooming and veterinarian care, rather than cruelty.”

I don’t know what it would take for Kenworthy to consider a cruelty case in his region. But in this case, the reports indicate the dogs were “matted with feces and urine, overgrown nails and dental disease.” It is idiotic to suggest that this does not constitute cruelty.

After Kenworthy’s statement, he should either apologize and reopen the case or resign his position – or both. Resolving cases in the manner reported in this case, is an invitation to puppy mill breeders to continue to engage in acts of cruelty.

The punishment for acts of animal cruelty and running puppy mills must be increased, nationwide. This latest case reported by KTNV only adds to the long history of abusers ignoring and brushing aside the weak sentences they are given.

A breeder in Amargosa Valley, NV has been cited on three occasions since May 29, for a number of violations ranging from not having a kennel or breeding permit to the dog not having rabies vaccinations to 20 counts of animal cruelty. And the same breeder was convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty in 2011.

KTNV reports officers were recently back on the site and found dogs with severely matted fur – with no shelter from the hot Nevada sun and green algae in their water.

The article reports one local store has been selling puppies from the breeder and a family purchased a Yorkie there that cost $2,200. And therein lies the problem. Some people are still buying puppies from stores and online – too often for huge amounts of money.

These people do not realize that they can go to a local shelter or rescue group and find GREAT dogs and cats. They are unaware that they are often supporting puppy mills. They are being scammed into believing they have to buy a puppy. It is 2013, with factual information at their fingertips – and yet these people are still uneducated on this issue.

The dogs and cats from the shelters and rescue groups are more than equal on every level to any sold by breeders. I’m  not even slamming the best breeders. It is just a point of fact. Rescued dogs and cats are the greatest. It’s just a matter of consulting with the shelter staff or rescue volunteers to get matched up with the right pet.