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Natalie Wong
Professor Lynda Haas
Writing 39C
12 August 2015
Puppy Mills
In the last few decades, the amount of dogs found in our households have become
increasingly prevalent as a result of a business more commonly known as puppy mills which mix
different breeds for specific characteristics or physical traits. According to United States
Department of Agriculture, there are at least 10,000 of these structures that mass-produce about
500,000 puppies per year across the United States today (The Humane Society of the United
States). Allotted to just six inches of moving space in a confined cage from birth, mothers are
constantly forced to reproduce until they are no longer capable of producing offspring. As a
consequence of these poor living conditions, mill puppies are fated with short lives from mental
and physical problems, so they are eventually given away and euthanized in animal shelters.
Owners of puppy mills completely dismiss the emotional capacities of dogs and see them simply
as cash crops. Given that humans have interfered with the dogs natural evolution and entwined
them into our lives as early as 10,000 years BP, we are responsible for them as a species and they
should not be treated as inanimate objects. Even though there are state and federal laws that
attempt to regulate puppy mills, majority of them are ineffective to breeders by definition and
working. In addition, enforcement programs cannot function without enough inspectors or
funding. Solutions to this problem include imposing laws that address the source that permits the
abominable puppy mills to continually thrive. In order to do so, utilizing social media will raise
the awareness of advocating for regulations of puppy mills to the public at the fastest rate.

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A History of Dogs and Our Responsibilities for Them Today
Since the publication of The Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin in the 19th century,
the early theory of humans as the source behind the domestication of dogs was introduced.
According James Serpell, a Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania,
the discovery of archaeological remains suggest that dogs have been domesticated as early as
14,000 years BP (10). In 1923, Julian Huxley, an evolutionary biologist and Secretary of the
Zoological Society of London, claimed animals [to] have no brains [but] only soul (Mitchell,
Thompson, and Miles 26). During this time, scientific studies of canine cognition or cognitive
ethology had not begun yet. Furthermore, according to Dr. Marc Bekoff, a researcher of animal
behavior and cognitive ethology at the University of Colorado, researchers [at the time] were
almost all skeptics who spent their time wondering if [] animals felt anything (xvii).
Although, scientists have only barely begun studying canine cognition and cognitive ethology,
this topic of study has changed dramatically over the past thirty years. As a researcher of animal
behavior and creator of cognitive ethology, Donald Griffin recognized in 1976 that mental
experiences also include feelings, desires, fears, and sensations such as pain, rage, and
affection (Mitchell, Thompson, and miles 26). In Bekoffs book The Emotional Lives of
Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy and Why They Matter,
he extends Griffins sentiment of mental experiences by commenting how emotions have
evolved as adaptations over time and serve as a social glue to bond animals with one another
(xviii).
One of the earliest experiments concerning animal cognition dates back to 1967; in this
study called The First Learned Helplessness Experiment, psychologists Christopher Peterson,
Steven Maier, and Martin Seligman, demonstrate that experience of emotions is indeed possible

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for domesticated canines. In this highly unethical study, the canines are conditioned to accept the
shocks given to them with no way to escape; when the dogs habituate to the pain produced by the
given stimulus, the researcher provides the dogs with the same stimulus and an escape route, and
observe an emotional reaction. The dogs in the experiment, demonstrate the experience of
learned helplessness or the passive acceptance of certain circumstances, which is similar to the
diagnoses of depression in humans (Peterson, Maier, and Seligman 17-19). This experiment
plays a role in diverting scientists focus of animal cognition and animal ethology from why
emotions are felt to how they are felt. From this study, researchers are able to discover that our
primary emotions of fear, anger, surprise, sadness, disgust, and joy are made possible by the
limbic system and the amygdala (Peterson, Maier, and Seligman 91). In addition to finding that
both these structures are found in all mammals, humans and animals also share similar chemical
and neurobiological systems (Bekoff 10). These breakthrough discoveries are extremely
beneficial for this field of research by enabling researchers to take advantage in incorporating
animals into their experiments when attempting to study humans.
When archaeological evidences were first being discovered, scientists were unaware of
the role anthropomorphism and secondary emotions played in forming the first relationships
between humans and dogs. Serpell indicates in his finding, displayed in Figure 1, that humans
were still hunting, gathering, and foraging when animals were first domesticated, which dated
back to the end of the last Ice Age at 12,000 years BP (10). Secondary emotions involve
consciousness and thought processing in the cerebral cortex and are experienced after primary
emotions. They may be caused directly or from complex chains of thinking. For instance, when
one is fearful (primary emotion) of a threat, anger (secondary emotion) may ensue.

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In 2008, Leslie Irvine, a professor of sociology and researcher of animal-human
interactions demonstrate her agreement in her book If You Tame Me: Understanding Our
Connection with Animals in 2008. In order to explain humans first encounter and interaction
with canines, she states, that animals were like humans in many ways, but also different enough
to be able to explain and accomplish things that humans could not (Irvine 35). Besides seeing
animals as equals, our ancestors transition into hunter-gatherers was made possible with the aid
of the early canines. Furthermore, Irvine proposes three different theories as to why dogs were
domesticated in her chapter entitled How and Why. The first two theories involve canines
hunting and scavenging abilities, which is beneficial to humans by offering a symbiotic
relationship where both humans and canines live together as well as commensalism, in which
one species enjoys a benefit, and the other is not significantly affected. Humans are not the only
ones who profit, because the emotional aspect formed between canines and humans stimulate the
primary emotion of happiness for dogs (Irvine 14). Unlike the many independent animals we see,
bears and tigers to name a couple, canines are more receptive to humans and socializing as a
result of the bond formed between canines and humans. Lastly, Irvine emphasizes this by
supporting the idea of human beings being drawn to specific physical and social traits by stating:
several biological and behavioral factors predisposed dogs to fit easily within human groups
(14-15). Through Irvines study, we can see that the emotional aspect allowed the strong bond
between humans and dogs to form including the launching of domestication of canines.

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In conclusion, we are interconnected
with dogs and have been for a very long
time even though researches and studies are
still trying to discover more about the
human-canine relationship as well as
canines cognitive abilities and emotional
capacities. Canines have successfully
survived as an entire species, all thanks to
the early evolvement and development of
the human-canine relationship at the end of
the Pleistocene Epoch, 10,000 years BP. The
different physical and behavioral traits that
appeal to everyone is not the only reason why

Fig 1. Burial of a human with a puppy.

(Serpell 11).

the human-canine relationships still remains,

but also for canines willingness to interact and coexist with humans. Although the rate of
domesticating dogs and selective breeding purebred dogs is thriving and increasing, why do we
not consider the negative health effects of some of the traits that certain breeds inherit?
According to an article by Kristine Lacoste, a coordinator for Dogs on Deployment in New
Orleans, a lot of diseases and genetic problems are introduced, such as blood disorders, skin
problems, and cancer (2013). Based on this information, questions about our treatment towards
dogs come to the surface. Why are the unethical practices behind the business of dog breeding
and puppy mills ignored and disregarded? Since humans have interfered with the dogs natural
evolution, we are responsible for them as a species, and ethically should not treat them as

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inanimate objects. Even after the studies of canine cognition and canine ethology, making profit
is of more importance than the thoughtless breeding and brutal treatment of canine emotions,
which is senseless. Although it is a presumptuous way of thinking, some see humans as the sole
reasons of canines survival up to today. Dogs should be taken cared of and be ethically bred
solely for human characteristic of morality.
Puppy Mills and Animal Shelters
Every year in the United States, puppy mills contribute to the overpopulation of pets with
the admission of eight million animals and the euthanization of 17 million animals according to
Joshua Frank, an executive director of the Foundation for Interdisciplinary Research and
Education Promoting Animal Welfare (108). The initiation of this pet supplying industry dates
back to World War II, where various schemes were used to trick consumers into buying inbred
dogs. During this time, the hard economic times led to the failure of conventional crops, so
farmers were desperate for alternatives and saw dogs as substitutes of crops, according to Kailey
Burger, a writer for the Washington University Journal of Law (265). As a result, established pet
shops began to sell dogs, the moral responsibilities were disregarded, and dogs were included as
commodities to breeders, who began to take advantage of producing dogs with certain physical
characteristics. However, Kathy Rudy, an Associate Professor of Ethics at Duke University,
addresses in her book Loving Animals, the short lives puppies have from inbreeding because of
the physical birth defects from damaged gene pools (52). In order to sell the puppies to
consumers, pet stores will use innocent names such as Rainbow Ranch or Heavens Blessing
Kennel (HSUS). The most information about the puppies, employees and owners of pet stores
often times know is about the breed which comes from a short pamphlet (Fumarola 263).
Furthermore, they attempt to fool consumers by putting up a faade of placing the healthy

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puppies behind the windows, while the sick disregarded puppies are in the back in order to
maintain their public credibility.
As pet stores receive dogs for puppy mills, the unpurchased puppies are inevitably sent to
shelters, however they are not normal but rather afflicted puppies. In 2011, veterinarian Franklin
D. McMillan, conducted The Harmful Effects of Puppy Mills on Breeding Dogs and Their
Puppies which demonstrates that dogs from puppy mills have more health problems and exhibit
increase levels of fear and nervousness, less aggression and excitability, sensitivity to touch, and
compulsive behaviors. Once puppies are placed in animal shelters, they become more reclusive
and timid because of limited human interaction (McMillan). Furthermore, Alexandra
Protopopova, an Applied Animal Behavior Professor at the University of Florida, and Clive D.L.
Wynne, a Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University found in their study of In-Kennel
Behavior Predicts Length of Stay in Shelter Dogs that the change in behavior of seclusion only
keeps them in the shelter longer. As a result, a going of affected mill dogs are sent into animal
shelters, and they ultimately are euthanized because of their behavioral and mental conditions
only worsen, declining any chance of getting adopted. According to Protopopova and Wynne,
60% of admitted animals to shelters euthanized annually because animal shelters need to kill the
unadoptable dogs immediately in order to save space for adoptable ones. While animals predetermined short lives are lived in cycle of miserable conditions, their breeders are profiting as
much as $290,000 a year (ASPCA).
Although, there are laws to regulate problematic puppy mills in the United States, as
shown in Figure 2, the state and federal law prevent them from being enforced, because some are
not easy to support or enforce while some states with lemon laws protect consumers through
the signing of contracts that guarantee the health of the puppies. The Animal Welfare Act signed

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in 1966 was designated to
inspect breeders and oversee
interstate transactions, but the
standards was only applied to
animal dealers, which left
breeders free from being
convicted. According to
HSUS, only 96 inspectors
from the United States
Department of Agriculture are

Figure 2. A graphic of states with puppy mill laws and

they extent they are defined to. (HSUS). As the legend
indicates, those states in purple are the most stringent in
their definitions with required licensing and inspection,
those in blue only require licensing and limits without
inspections, while those in gray have no laws that
specifically address puppy mills. (HSUS)

expected to oversee the

thousands of puppy mills
nationwide as a result of the
lacking of funding for the
program that oversees puppy

mills. Since the federal level has deficiencies in overseeing puppy mills, states are able to do as
they please so breeders take advantage in moving to the states that will not easily persecute them,
such as Missouri, the Puppy Mill Capital in the United States, which provides up to 40 percent
of the nations mill-bred dogs (Burger 265). Despite the various laws implemented through the
federal or state, many are not properly enforced without enough resources resulting in breeders
freely doing business and gaining monetary value.
Concerning the Root of the Problem With Law and Social Media

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As mentioned earlier, aged federal laws such as the Animal Welfare Act of 1966 are
ineffectual, which is why new laws need to be proposed and implemented in order for
punishments to be enforced on puppy mills. Christina Widner, a writer for the San Joaquin
Agricultural Law Review, suggests a proposition on domestic animal breeding for Californias
puppy mills that can also be applicable to others throughout the United States. She focuses
bringing more attention and control on bigger facilities by suggesting having more inspections
and fess on breeders (Widner 234). At the same time, puppy mill enforcement can acquire
revenue so that programs can continue to overlook these facilities. Widner argues for employing
licensing fess on breeders in each puppy mill based on the size of litter produced (Widner 233).
In order to lower the amount of mistreatment of animals in overcrowded facilities, Widner
recommends an adequate solution by placing a cap to on breeders for the amounts of puppies that
can be sold (235).
Although the recommendations provided by Widner are adequate enough to enforce on
puppy mills, they do not address the efforts that need to be taken in order for laws to be
jumpstarted and enforced. According to Katherine C. Tushaus, a writer for the Drake Journal of
Agricultural Law, alternative solutions have been proposed in New South Wales of Australia,
such as the Animals (Regulation of Sales) Bill, which allows state recognized breeders to sell
animals as long responsibilities and regulations are followed. Under this bill, the root of the
puppy mill problem is addressed, rather than selling animals from puppy mills, pet stores can
only acquire animals from pet shelters. Although breeders income diminishes as a result of the
animals coming from animal shelters, the overpopulation issue caused by puppy mills can be
solved. In addition, the state can keep breeders in check by forcing the breeders to visit if they
want to continue to sell puppies (Tushaus 515). Tushaus follows this solution by explaining the

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major developments United States will generate in the effort against puppy mills if they were to
establish a law similar to Australias. If pet stores shift their financial incentive to animal shelters
rather than puppy mills, breeders will no longer have to focus on optimizing their profits by only
confining puppies in enclosed spaces. Their business can continue to sell pets as long as they are
recognized by the state and obey the state regulations. Meanwhile, pet stores can concentrate on
selling care products for pets instead. Through this transition, people will concentrate in adopting
pets from animal shelters, and pet stores can be easily reported if they are to be selling pets
(Tushaus 516-517). In order for this solution to be effective, a bill must be passed in the United
States along with the collaboration effort of the agricultural and pet supply industry to lobby
against the selling of pets. Even though business may continue to sell animals and a bill may fail
after years of debate like the Animals (Regulation of Sales) Bill, the government and the people
can be aware of the issue of puppy mills that is occurring. As Tushaus states, a proposal similar
to this bill in the United States will establish a platform for the public to support and spread the
word of such animal cruelty in puppy mills, which can play a major role in demanding and
instituting laws towards this issue (518).
One of the best ways to bring awareness of puppy mills is through social media. With the
rapid expansion and improvement of the Internet and social media sites such as, Twitter,
Instagram, and Facebook, little effort needs to be applied in sharing ideas and news at the fastest
pace. As a Professor of Media at New York University, Clay Shirky describes social media in a
TEDTalk video as a vital platform and a profound tool of the 21st century, because it is not a
flimsy or intangible thing to be overlooked. About three and a half minutes into the video, Shirky
explains the importance of social media because it is able to distribute any type of information to
anyone at the quickest rate possible. In addition, the internet and social media provides a many-

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to-many pattern, which is important in providing a reliable source for people to speak with one
another, collaborate, and discuss how they feel with others. There is no better way than to utilize
the Internet and social media in advocating and spreading awareness of puppy mill issues.
Conclusion
Ever since farmers substituted crops with dogs to acquire money in the 1940s, the
business of puppy mills was established. However, this industry is more prevalent now because
consumers can easily be tricked into buying puppies from pet stores. The puppies produced by
breeding facilities end up being sold in pet store windows, and the ones left over end up being
given to animals shelters for euthanization. Bearing in mind with the long history humans have
with dogs, we must protect the dogs from these establishments to the best of our abilities by
developing, establishing, and enforcing laws towards the issue of puppy mills, similar to the
Animals (Regulation of Sales) Bill by New South Wales of Australia. In order for bills to be
effective in prohibiting the sale of animals to pet stores, the use of the Internet and social media
needs to be incorporated into the process of bringing education and awareness to the public. With
the continuing improvement of the Internet and social media, the public and advocacy groups
can collectively spread the word worldwide through social media outlets like Twitter, Instagram,
and Facebook. More attention can be gravitated towards the issue of puppy mills by utilizing this
type of platform to advocate for laws at the same time.

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