Biden in the Doghouse

A boy and his dog. It's the great American story of loyalty, friendship, adventure and a life shared together, happily ever after. While the news of Vice President elect Joe Biden and his new wiggly, cute-as-all-get-out purebred German Shepherd puppy is generating lots of positive reports, many of us in the animal community are afraid of what Mr. Biden's decision means for the millions of homeless animals that are euthanized every year and for the dogs in puppy mills that are treated like commodities and not the sentient, social creatures that they are.

But before we call for the head of our newly elected V.P., let's not throw out the puppy with the bathwater. Biden happens to have an excellent record on animal welfare and rights issues across the board. This temporary lapse in judgment could be due to a number of factors, one of which is the fact that his wife is the one who picked out the dog for her husband. For those of us in the animal welfare/rights movement, every decision we make is most likely based on whether or not it negatively affects an animal somewhere, somehow. We go to sleep thinking about animals, we dream about them, and we spend many of our waking hours working to save and protect them. It's just possible that Joe Biden has a few other things on his mind these days that include issues like our tanking economy, global warming, the war on terror and healthcare reform. Now this is not to excuse his choice to purchase a puppy from a breeder, it's just an attempt to explain a decision that has broken the heart of animal rescuers, welfarists and shelter workers the world over.

Some may wonder what the big deal is. This is just one family and one dog. But what high profile people do in this country matters to the rest of us. By purchasing a puppy instead of adopting, Mr. Biden is setting a poor example and is unwittingly promoting breeders and puppy mills. There are millions of dogs, puppies, cats and kittens who, through no fault of their own, end up in shelters and abandoned by owners who weren't prepared to take on the responsibility of a pet. Because not enough people are adopting homeless animals, over 65% of healthy, adoptable, loving and lovable pets are being killed every day for lack of homes. It's appalling and tragic and cruel to keep popping out pups on the one hand while killing so many on the other.

The Bidens found their puppy in Pennsylvania, a state notorious for hundreds of puppy mills where thousands of animals live in hellish and deplorable conditions. If you are one of the few people who didn't see or hear about the show Oprah did on puppy mills, here is a brief glimpse for you into that sordid world. There are rows upon rows of small dirty cages, stacked on top of each other, in which mother dogs will spend their entire lives, never once leaving the cage, never seeing a vet and never experiencing the loving touch of a human hand.

These dogs are housed in fetid, dark sheds and barns or left outside in cages exposed to the cold, the heat, the rain and the snow. They must try and balance on the wire floors of their cages where many an injury takes place and broken limbs are the norm. But this doesn't matter to the breeder because he's just looking for the most efficient way to keep the cages clean. Funnily enough, the cages don't actually stay clean because the feces don't always fall through the wire so mama dog and her puppies must live in their own excrement for much of the time. And woe to the dogs who live in the bottommost cages stacked under the others. If it wasn't bad enough to live on wire, it's even worse because these dogs never get taken out of their cages for exercise. They are doomed to a space just big enough to take a step or two forward and back. When these mommy and daddy dogs are rescued from puppy mills that have been raided due to neglect and substandard conditions, they often must learn how to walk on a hard surface, their steps shaky and unsure due to a life on wire.

The dogs are never seen by a vet, because that cuts into the breeders profit, and often they contract horrible cases of mange, their teeth fall out from infected gums and they endure painful sores and injuries although none of this really compares to the loneliness and isolation these pups experience day in and tedious day out that must be hell on earth for such a social creature. The list of offenses by puppy mill breeders unfortunately goes on and on. Some breeders cut the vocal cords without anesthesia so they don't have to hear the constant barking from their forlorn dogs who are literally going out of their minds from boredom. And when the mama dog has finally outlived her usefulness, the puppy mill breeder drags her out of her cage and for the first and last time, she feels the earth under her feet until she is shot or drowned or killed in some other manner, then thrown in the trash heap, finally dead to the pain but hopefully at peace. All of the conditions described above are within the law, believe it or not, so imagine what it takes to get a puppy mill shut down.

Every time a person buys a dog, whether from a breeder, a pet store or the internet, they are indirectly inflicting tremendous pain and suffering on a multitude of animals who live wretched lives in puppy mills. They are also perpetuating the pet overpopulation problem with their purchase and condemning far too many animals to an unjust and untimely death. Even though I respect our new Vice President and wish him all the luck in the world in his new job, I deeply lament this latest Biden gaffe.

Comments

[Know2much]

Excellent article! The photos aren't pretty but puppy mills aren't pretty. I voted for Biden and am disappointed in the decision to buy from a puppy mill (or any breeder). The woman who runs this puppy mill was cited for several violations. It's funny how pointing out the fact that the Bidens buying a dog means you are bashing him as a political candidate. Nonsense. It means you are aware of the horrid conditions of puppy mills and the miserable lives for dogs living in them until they're heartlessly killed the instant they no longer make money. It means you're aware of the millions of wonderful and loving shelter animals that are put to death every year because of breeders, mills or otherwise. That's extreme: killing healthy, loving animals because breeders just "love" their breed (but not all dogs, obviously). Neither the puppy mill animals nor the shelter animals have any choice in their crappy lives so don't even talk about not having the "choice" to buy a dog. Oh boo hoo. There are lots of purebred rescue groups for people who feel they must have a purebred. Even with the horrors of puppy mills and millions of healthy, loving animals killed due to a lack of homes, people still defend buying animals like they're a piece of fine China. How selfish can people get.

[voltairegirl]

Ms. Shankar's thinking is typical of the extreme animal rights activists i know. More and more, they resemble anti-abortion zealots in their narrow mindedness and inability to allow others CHOICE. A friend of this type told me recently that the breeds developed to live in homes with allergic/asthmatic people (a very large and growing segment of our society) are "designer" dogs. All dogs are designer dogs! Before that they were wolves. Humans "designed" dogs to serve functions: to herd livestock, pull carts, assist hunters, guard homes or palaces, serve as companions.

We brought our canine companions in from the wild. Because of that, we owe them stronger laws for their protection, including increased penalties for cruelty, dogfighting, and puppy breeding. However, I am disgusted at the idea of rabid PETA types dictating to the President Elect and VP-Elect--and everyone else--that they can only add a dog to their family in PETA-approved fashion.

[wibblet68]

There is a significant difference here that the author misses--Sen. Biden and his wife didn't buy this puppy from a "puppy mill." They didn't buy the puppy from a pet store. They bought the puppy from a responsible breeder--a distinction animal rights deliberately fails to make. There is an an ocean of difference between puppy mills (however you define that term, but it needs to be defined carefully) and ethical, committed breeders who research and carefully plan each breeding for soundness and health. Sen. and Mrs. Biden did what people who want a purebred puppy should do--they found someone committed to the health and future of the particular breed they were interested in. And contrary to AR logic, a purebred puppy purchase does NOT equate to a subsequent death for a shelter dog somewhere else... That's simply sensationalist and inflammatory.

[SparkyDash]

LizM, I believe most who have visited this thread now understand that there is a strong political smell. Reputable rescues and their advocates would not write what this blogger has written-especially the way in which it is written-nor post such photos...my sanctuary would not, as it sensationalizes a topic and attacks an individual, thus turning readers and potential supporters away. Posts have been deleted that refute said blogger's view, or blocked completely. This site is sanitized. Generalized information on VP-elect Biden and incorrect information about him is interesting. The blogger's last post is very telling. Politics can be a funny thing.

[LizM]

We have at least one very reliable personal barometer to gauge the integrity and intelligence of people - when they engage in perpetuating the 'gaffe-machine' myth about Joe Biden then they are automatically suspect - on any issue - and must begin anew to earn our respect.

Keep on keepin' on, Sparky!

[Cheri Shankar - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear SparkyDash,

Your claim that comments contrary to the opinions stated in my blog have been blocked or deleted is not correct. I disagree with much of what is being said in these comments but they are all being posted as far as I know. I can see many comments from you and wonder what makes you think comments are being deleted? I appreciate everyone's point of view on this subject and we are all entitled to our opinions. We all obviously feel quite passionately about animals! By the way, I don't moderate the comments on my post, various Huffpost staff do that.

[LizM]

I knew it was the HuffPost staff! Oh, I kid the HuffPost staff...Heh Heh

[LizM]

If it were not for Shankar's last statement, I shouldn't feel so compelled to respond.

Continuing a final thought from the rest of my reply below I would just add that while declaring her respect for the new Vice President, Shankar makes reference to a media-conceived and driven national myth of epic proportions that has dogged Biden throughout his distinguished career. Far from showing respect for the Vice President-elect, she has accepted this Biden myth uncritically and, in so doing, has acted - perhaps unwittingly - to perpetuate an idiotic media storyline that has attempted to dismiss and denigrate a great statesman.

[Cheri Shankar - Huffpost Blogger]

Sorry, but even Obama has commented on this Biden "myth"
Barack Obama was asked about Joe Biden comments last Sunday at a Seattle fund-raiser where he said Obama. 47, will be "tested" by the world.

"Joe sometimes engages in rhetorical flourishes," Obama said.

Rhetorical flourishes...nice way of saying "gaffe." But the gaffes do not diminish the fact that Senator Biden is a man of integrity and has an admirable commitment to service.

[LizM]

Yes, you are quite correct about the comment made by President-elect Obama following Biden's remarks at the fund-raiser in Seattle...I posted about this, at length.

My respect for Barack Obama's sound judgement increased exponentially on the day that he announced Joe Biden would be his running mate. For reasons that are too long and complex to get into here (the blasted word limit!) there really was no other choice.

However, Obama's characterization of Biden's comments as being a "rhetorical flourish" demonstrated that the President-elect did not understand the first thing about that Biden address to Obama's biggest donors and supporters or that his wisest and most loyal defender and protector and the one who will always have his back is Joe Biden...aside from Michelle, of course. In other words, Joe deserved much better.

You are right about one thing... the regurgitation of inaccurate representations of what Biden has said as 'gaffes' do not reflect negatively on Joe Biden's honor or integrity. But, this kind of behavior does indeed reflect very poorly on the character of all those who continue to propagate this idiotic storyline.

[pennyelmo]

This woman has been cited before ,, and just yesterrday cited again http://www.myfoxphilly.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=5F1D92B6BDDA46ABA19C0E82C7BA63FB?contentId=8086285&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

[wibblet68]

What this woman was cited for was more than likely just an oversight. BUT, more and more commited breeders will be forced to make the tough decision about whether to register and comply with all regulations (and thus be subject to outrageous costs and potentially the ridicule/attention of AR) or go underground to protect what they love. Increased regulation and legislation will not stop the already criminal element and the blindly profit-minded. But it will, unfortunately, hurt the wrong people the most--the ethical, caring breeders who do what they do for love of dogs of all breeds, who will find the costs (financial and personal) too high.

[DesertWinds]

... continued

With the cost of the health tests, stud dog fee, care of dam, care of puppies until they find the right homes – very little if any money is ever made breeding dogs – that is NOT why folks in the Fancy do it. They love dogs, period.

Number Three – If you truly want to do some good, go after pet stores. They are the ones who are selling the pups from puppy mills. If you cut off the main sales outlet for those despicable operations, you will hurt them where it really counts, in the wallet.
Ms Shankar, I am sure you are a dog lover, do some real research, do not just blindly follow PETA and HSUS find out the real truths, you may be surprised.

[LizM]

This blogger raises some very serious concerns. First off, while recognizing that Vice President-elect Biden has “an excellent record on animal welfare and rights issues across the board”, she then suggests that this “temporary lapse in judgement” was the fault of his wife, Dr. Jill Biden. I suppose we are to assume that Dr. Biden is not just as concerned about animal welfare, if not more so, than her husband with the excellent record on the subject. Right. :rolleyes:

Secondly, the blogger says that what high profile people do in this country matters to the rest of us. I really wish you were right about that but, sadly, you are not. I wonder how many people in the animal welfare community care about who Joe Biden is, what he has done throughout his distinguished career of public service and statesmanship or even understand what motivates this man of great integrity - until, that is, he purchases a puppy. I’m gonna have to be given a freakin’ break on that one! By the way, surely the blogger is not suggesting that the puppy in question was purchased from a “hellish and deplorable” puppy mill...but, don’t worry...I’m not missing the important point about hellish and deplorable puppy mills...I’m just disappointed by the obvious insinuation, intentional or not.

...continued...

[nananance]

Thousands of Pennsylvanians worked their tails off to get kennel reform passed this fall and to get rid of disreputable breeders. To have the vice president fall into the trap of subsidizing a woman who has two kennels, both of which have been cited for violations and one of which is definitely a puppy mill, is a slap in their faces. If it doesn't matter to you, fine, but it matters to many doglovers who have every right to express their concern about this issue.

[jax702]

Still wondering if it came from a puppy mill??

Wolf Den Failed it's most recent inspection report 12/10/08.

"A strong smell of ammonia" -- yummy!

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/harrisburg_politics/Kennel_where_Biden_bought_puppy_is_cited.html

[GaDove]

Joe Biden has really disgusted and disappointed the millions of dog lovers and dog rescuers of this country. Obama said he believed in Animal Rights, and Human Rights. I thought Biden would share those views. Biden and his wife knew about the millions of letters and supporters urging Obama to adopt rather than buy a dog. So this German Shepard pup was bought deliberately - and was a slap in the face of millions of people that want puppy mills to end, and the needless killing of millions of healthy dogs every year. Where I live in Georgia? Over 90,000 dogs in Metro Atlanta area are killed per year. That doesn't even cover the gassing, shooting, and heartsticking Animal Control shelters in small underfunded counties. That is more dogs killed in JUST GEORGIA, THAN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY OF ENGLAND EVERY YEAR. Many, many of them are pure breds, including German Shepards. Biden - instead of helping end puppy mills, you set an awful example.

[SparkyDash]

Joe Biden has not disgusted nor disappointed this dog lover and rescuer. And honestly, those of us who work diligently to protect and respect all animals would never make a judgment against anyone who brought an animal into a loving home. Judge? I've been fortunate to acquire dogs through breeders and rescues, they are all precious and deserving of love. Be aware, Joe Biden has brought many smiles and a certain joy to us dog lovers. I continue to support 3 rescues and a number of domestic and wild animal support and legal groups. We educate animal owners and nonowners on proper treatment of all animals. Legitimate groups would never resort to attempts at embarrasing a truly great statesman and his loving family by thinking we could make an example of them. Who, or what would we be then? I would disgust and disappoint myself; a rather sad human certainly not in a proper adult position to teach others. I wish Joe Biden and the Biden clan much happiness with their new puppy...the Joe Biden I know has been through much and deserves this. He only wanted a puppy upon winning election. Joe Biden is a fine man of intellect, integrity, and has experienced pain many of us will never know. He has done (and will continue to do) great service to America and the world, sacrificing much. As a dog rescuer and educator, I have no problem with Biden. But, then I've taken the time to know him.

[ProtestPuppyMills]

Thank you Cheri for writing this article. Unfortunately the majority of our society is unaware of the puppy mill situation and the astronomical number of animals having to be killed in shelters due the greed of breeders. Biden's wife bought their german shepherd from a breeder in Chester County, home to many Amish known for running puppy mills, and she had her license previously suspended:

"The AKC's Management Disciplinary Committee has suspended Ms. Linda Brown, Spring City, PA, from all AKC privileges for one year, effective April 10, 2006, and imposed a $1000 fine for having submitted or caused to be submitted three litter registration applications that she knew, should have known, or had a duty to know contained false certifications as to the sire and/or dam (DNA exclusion). (German Shepherd Dog)" http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/8439/PA/US/

It is disappointing that the Bidens bought their dog from a breeder and hopefully they can be shown the error of their ways for having not adopted. Adopt don't Shop.

[enveg01]

Everyone should adopt. Plain and simple. There is no good reason to buy a dog from a breeder when millions are being euthanized in shelters every year. It's indefensible.

[Roryfreedman]

Thank you so much for educating people about such an important issue. The sooner people can see these images and understand exactly what it is they contribute to when they purchase dogs, the sooner we can send puppy mills into oblivion.

[jax702]

There is some debate if this breeder JoLindy is also connected to a K 5 (the largest classification) Puppy Mill kennel called Wolf Den, which churned out over 250 puppies in a year.

If the puppy is from a small hobby breeder I don't have a problem with that. But if if that breeder is also connected to a puppy mill than Biden needs to return his purchase.

[ydouask]

If the Biden's are committed to raising this puppy into doghood with love and affection why would they need to return it? Even, and most especially, if the puppy came from a mill, why should it be sent back to those deplorable conditions? Laws need to change and we need to make sure they do. But this puppy did nothing wrong and deserves the loving home it appears to have found.