Validation of this information can be directed to : ehovermale@humanesociety.org
I researched on line & ask Ms Hovermale if Senate Bill #839 ---passed in 2011 -- concerning STATE LAW that requires Counties to license kennels over a certain size. Her response was that it DID PASS. Anyone having 15 or more unspayed female dogs over 6 months of age , kept for purpose of breeding /selling requires the breeder to have a license from the County. This information can be found at :
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2011rs/chapters_noln/Ch_297_sb0839T.pdf.
Each County determines the license requirements for kennels & many require an Inspection as part of that license requirement. I don't know IF Wicomico County requires inspections each year but hope so.
Now that the Puppy Mill dogs are safe & have definitely been so well taken care of ------
Questions come to mind for many I'm sure, since this Rescue occurred. Having heard /read various information on SBY NEWS, TV & the Newspaper . It makes one wonder if they will be OR why they aren't answered as I've seen nothing reported concerning the below.
How could this Puppy Mill , which was suppose to have been viewed by the then Administrator of the H.S. in either 2014 or 2015, have not been corrected?
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2011rs/chapters_noln/Ch_297_sb0839T.pdf.
Each County determines the license requirements for kennels & many require an Inspection as part of that license requirement. I don't know IF Wicomico County requires inspections each year but hope so.
Now that the Puppy Mill dogs are safe & have definitely been so well taken care of ------
Questions come to mind for many I'm sure, since this Rescue occurred. Having heard /read various information on SBY NEWS, TV & the Newspaper . It makes one wonder if they will be OR why they aren't answered as I've seen nothing reported concerning the below.
How could this Puppy Mill , which was suppose to have been viewed by the then Administrator of the H.S. in either 2014 or 2015, have not been corrected?
For certain , this Mill has had to be in terrible condition for a long, long time ! Just viewing the bldg. from the outside alone lets one know there is not proper ventilation!
There are suggestions of making a crime as this - a Felony. Would this New Law actually put the person in jail since the System is now releasing criminals with lesser offences. It app[ears our jails can't contain them all? Animals are classified as Personal Property by Law-----Perhaps this is what needs to be changed too or offenders will not get punishment deserved.
No one has stated if these Breeders were licensed by the County. Were they? If these type Breeders are not licensed OR inspected regularly, and IF those who are suppose to follow through on peoples continuous complaints as it appears happened with these dogs---------then animals will be left to continue to suffer?
Does our County require License for Breeders-----Do they require Inspections ? If so by whom? ( I am told it's Animal Control but don't know if that's correct..)
Where does the Public find a list of Licensed Breeders in their County??????
Hearing many people had reported this Puppy Mill makes one wonder---Is there a statement given to the person reporting suspected Puppy Mill or other Animal Cruelty Cases showing they reported? If not why isn't that recorded by each party----the person reporting & the person to whom it's reported so then it's know who was responsible should the question arise.
YES, A PART OF THE BLAME FOR THE NEEDLESS SUFFERING OF THESE DOGS IS WITH THE BREEDER -----HOWEVER-----IT APPEARS " THE OTHER PART OF THE BLAME " LIES ELSEWHERE & IS IN NEED OF CORRECTING----NOW!
25 comments:
Not trying to be sarcastic, but clearly you have never worked for a government agency. If you look even closer to other licenses you will find the same thing. Its more about enforcement than trying to make up new laws.
USDA already requires breeders to register with them and they have an online database. Robert and Susan Murphy never registered w/them. Requiring licensing and registration is all well and good, but really makes no difference because the bad ones aren't going to register anyway.
They operate under the radar. With that in mind, the Murphy's weren't operating under the radar because there were numerous complaints made against them AND the warning by the Cambridge official to keep an eye out on them.
I agree there are others to blame besides the Murphy's and it starts with animal control and the humane society. They really showed their true colors with this one and that is their total and complete uselessness.
9:51, kinda like gun laws huh. Honest citizens chastised with regulation and the criminals run wild. SMH
Thought we needs less regulation, less government interference?
Well put 9:51
The laws in Maryland governing the treatment of dogs and cats need to be improved. People who mistreat dogs and cats are frequently the same people who move onto doing the same thing to people. Joe has provided a public service by postings for lost and stray pets. If not for the volunteers like him the situation could be worse.
the dogs are now safe. States Attorney will ask for jail time. I am over this and moving on.
Good questions. I believe we do need to review our current law, and existing penalties especially. By not doing anything, we are showing acceptance.
I agree that some will try to continue under the radar; however once someone has made a complaint, it should be investigated. I will be interested to see how all this plays out . This was a tragedy for our acco this was a tragedy for our county. Rather than ascribe blame let's work on the solutions. Also, the public should be informed on the proper authority they should report abuse and neglect to and then follow up; not just hope someone does something.
Good questions. I believe we do need to review our current law, and existing penalties especially. By not doing anything, we are showing acceptance.
I agree that some will try to continue under the radar; however once someone has made a complaint, it should be investigated. I will be interested to see how all this plays out . This was a tragedy for our acco this was a tragedy for our county. Rather than ascribe blame let's work on the solutions. Also, the public should be informed on the proper authority they should report abuse and neglect to and then follow up; not just hope someone does something.
I seen a uhaul truck at the property where those dogs was found yesterday.
10:52, I seen you drive by yesterday looking at us. Why ya drive into dat pole?
I just love how every article is about somebody else being to blame for a criminals actions. How about thanking the people who work everyday to help animals or to hold bad people responsible instead of blaming people for nonsense. We all know how perfectly you all would handle every situation.
Animal Control/ HS Directors KNEW about this place aomw
years ago----NOTHING WAS DONE BY THEM PEOPLE!!!
DORCHESTER COUNTY HS warned these proper authortiest
this was going on. Fitzgearld, the ---then HS. Director
was " suppose to have" and was stated he did go,
there to inspect-----but it was indicated he
saw NO Need for further action. It is unbelievable
to me that our States Attornery , County are not
seeking justice in this matter! They must be hoping
it will blow over since the Public sees the Dogs were
so well taken care of by the Public & our New HS. Director.
God Bless Him! But the Public should NOT let this lay
to rest until they pay too !
Now for the Final Blow----Guess who is Director of "Animal Control" for the COUNTY?
It's no less then David Fitzgearld!! Yulp, the past Director of
our H.S. who found no need for any follow up after he was suppose
to have inspected these people over a yr . ago!! Oh my God people,
wake up to the politics going one here!!!!! Demand something
be done!!! If you don't ----this Lazy A-- is going to do the
same thing again !!!!! Rules need to be set in place to make
him accountable for every complaint that comes through but better
still-----he does not need to have tis position--PERIOD!!!
"Anyone having 15 or more unspayed female dogs over 6 months of age , kept for purpose of breeding /selling requires the breeder to have a license from the County."
The USDA regulations are stricter so there was really no need for this law. More than 3 unspayed females and licensing and registration is required. This MD law was merely one of those useless feel good laws. The USDA also posts a database which could be used for local officials to do inspections. But as stated above, those who should be registering aren't yes just like the gun laws.
The county dropped the ball. They are to take the blame and if not then the public should demand it. The first part of any solution is taking responsibility. This should not have happened and was very much preventable if Wic Co animal control and others did their jobs.
From now on until there is a complete overhaul of Wic Co animal control the best thing to do is to contact the HSUS with any complaints. Not only do they take their jobs seriously they also offer substantial rewards.
STATE OF MD does Not have any Inspectors----
All the more reason for Puppy Mills to move
here & in other States who have no State
Inspectors.
However----the STATE OF MD Does require Counties
to license breeders with what that MD Law quotes. and
reported to the STATE DEPT. OF LABOR & LICENSING & REGULATION.
These breedes WERE NOT LICENSED! HOWEVER---THEY WERE
reported to Animal Control & the then H.S. Director,
Fitzgearld in either 2014 or 2015-----NOTHING WAS DONE!!
SOOOOOO----the question here as in the artice.-----what
Laws can the County have to protect the public that reports
the abuse & seeing that it is followed through by
reputable people-----IF THERE ARE ANY LEFT THAT IS!!!!
This whole thing is sickening & definitely those who are
responsible who were in jobs to protect -----should be
punished too----or it's going to keep on going while
they sit on their A-- and do nothing like in the past!!!
1:08 it's up to local animal control agencies to do inspections esp after they have been getting complaints for years. Remember their excuse for finally going to the puppy mill was they were doing a "kennel check."
I too am disgusted this went on for so long and the Number 1 person to blame is David Fitzgerald. He is a POS good for nothing. The fat POS useless eater should be thrown in a cage and left there like those dogs were.
Many people on this blog have been saying for years what a useless piece of garbage he is and now every single one of those people who tried exposing the POS garbage can now proudly say I Told You So.
Don't forget officer kimberly monar just as worthless as Fitzgareld I heard there gonna make her a office manger what joke there they need to Fire everyone there and start fresh,at least Fitzgareld and monar for not doing there jobs and letting this go under the rader for so long
A kennel check that's a joke. I don't know how anyone at Animal Control and The Humane Society can sleep at night. I totally agree with the writer this didn't happen over night, it took years of neglect and turning heads. The neighbors complained and nothing was done, where are the reports??? I bet if it had involved children we would know ever detail by now.
Online advertising should be required to include the license number of the kennel, with an open online database where details about the breeder and reviews can be searched.
No advertising should be accepted without the verified kennel ID number.
That would help cut down on puppy mills and backyard breeders.
The expense of caring for animals seized in a major cruelty case can quickly eat up a shelter’s budget for its other animals.
Example-- In Montana, where they have no " Law for the Burden to be placed on the Criminals of animal cruelty, when 161 emaciated malamutes were rescued from a puppy mill in 2011 and placed in local shelters, the cost to care for them for 13 months was a whopping $605,000. In that case, the HSUS paid the bills.
The burden should be placed on the criminal defendant that put these animals in this situation in the first place. Does Maryland have
this Law ??? ---- if not our Representatives should definitely be
looking to have one introduced. If the perpetrators refuse to pay, they lose custody of their animals.
Instead of languishing in shelters as the criminal cases drag on & one , often for many months, the animals will be available for adoption to safe homes.
Under the best care, animals held in shelters for long periods of time can experience extremely serious behavioral deterioration due to the ongoing stress from staying in cages. They also
experience what is called "Cage Crazy. " If you have ever been to
our H.S. here---you will note that you are not allowed in the area
where dogs are housed by "Animal Control." The H.S. has the expense of feeding these dogs & might have the expense of Vet Care too, but
I don't know that for certain. These "held" animals have severe limited contact, touch, & exercise---if any.
In States that have this Law in effect , and animals must be held as evidence, the holding period usually doesn’t need to last the entire length of the trial, their conditions are documented after seizure, and the animals are treated back to health. “If" the animal has been forfeited to the shelter and the prosecutor for the criminal case approves, the animals can be placed into a new home before the outcome of the criminal case.” This takes the high cost to maintain
the animals off shelters & gives the animal a life they deserve
in a caring home.
Two-thirds of other U.S. states enact COST OF ANIMAL CARE LAWS, which are also known as bonding and forfeiture or unfit owner laws.
Hopefully Representatives will work to make this Law happen here!
Fitzgerald has a nice easy job now for the county as there top dog in the RISK Management department.I never saw this job advertised either after David Inkote was terminated.
Kinda makes you wonder who he has the dirt on.
Give the H.S.B.O.D. a enema and terminate Gordy and Littleton. As the chinese say a fish stinks from the head down.
4:46 I too wonder where the reports are !!! They should be made PUBLIC for ALL citizens of the County to see. Where can that information be obtained----Joe ---You're good at knowing such things-----Can you tell us??
This entire situation is
CRIMINAL --- from the Breeders to the "ONES in AUTHORITY
WHO WERE REPORTED TO AND DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP THE ANIMALS!"
It's an outrage AND the people of this town should be up
in arms to demand the truth of the matter be brought forth &
the OTHERS RESPONSIBLE BE CHARGED AS WELL FOR NOT DOING THEIR
JOBS. Jobs that taxpayers pay them to do. Our County hands
over more then $200,000 a year for them to do so!!!
$289 a month per dog is a lot of money. Someone in Montana made a nice profit on that one. 161 dogs x $289 x 13 months = $605,000. Did they rent houses and put 5 dogs to a house?
7:08 I am thinking the town did not have the support
Salisbury had , which I must say was just wonderful! The article
said the dogs were from a puppy
Mill----that definitely means all kinds of health
problems from lack of care !! Spay/Neuter, Flea/Tick RX , Grooming teeth extractions from lack of care ---all needed shots & much more .
Most of us know what it cost to have a dog these days and
believe me----it is not cheap and most of us take care
of them. We found/rescued a little dog recently ---took her for her
shots, had her spayed, teeth cleaned, some had to be pulled and
then back again for more shots. The bill was close to $1,000.00
& someone told me that was cheap!!!!
The high cost of vet care is a direct result of people treating pets as people. Depending on the breed, most dogs live between 10 and 14 years. You know this going into it. Some of us are old enough to remember when dogs were no different than livestock. Pets that were kept outside in either a doghouse or the barn. When they got old and sick to the point that they starting to suffer, they were put down just like a any other animal. A bullet to the head. Most people today have never killed a chicken or hog, dressed it out and eaten it for dinner. You kill a hog with a shot to the head.
This "it's my child/baby" attitude is why vets can and do charge outrageous prices. They can and you pay it. A person is a fool to pay for chemotherapy for a dog. I've heard of people spending more money on surgery for a dog than most new cars cost. What did they get a few months or a year more of life? There are still a few country vets around that call it like it is. Most people bad mouth them because they say put the dog down.
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