The Alphabet Soup of Animal Rights

Part I: The Top of the Heap

The link between PeTA, HSUS and ALF is none other than Nanci Bonnie Alexander, founder of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF).

She is the ex-wife of Leslie Alexander, a multi-millionaire. Les made his fortune as a Wall Street trader. He also owns the Texas Rockets. The Boca Raton, Florida couple divorced after 30 years of marriage. He offered her a check for $100 million to settle the divorce out of court, but she tore up his check. It is estimated that Les was worth about half a billion dollars back then, and Nanci wound up with about $250 million of that.

[Les Alexander is still a big supporter of animal rights. For instance, he teamed up with SNAP, the Spay-Neuter Assistance Program, to campaign for matching donations in Houston.]

Nanci Alexander is also on the Humane USA PAC (aka the HSUS PAC) Board of Directors. The Humane USA was formed by leaders of major animal rights organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, The Fund for Animals, Farm Sanctuary, ASPCA, Doris Day Animal League, Animal Welfare Institute, The Ark Trust, Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, and others.

Other Humane USA Board of Directors members include Carole Baskin, Tampa, Florida; Gene Bauston, Vice-Chair, Watkins Glen, New York; Barbara Birdsey, West Barnstable, Massachusetts; Priscilla Cohn, Ph. D, Villanova, Pennsylvania; Harriett Crosby, Washington, DC; Jane Gale, Las Vegas, NV; Wm Christopher Kerr, Woodstock, New York; Jana Kohl, Psy.D., Chicago, Illinois; Mike Markarian, Chair, Silver Spring, MD;
Michele Martinez-Hixon, Pacific Palisades, CA ; Mary Max, New York, New York; Wayne Pacelle, Washington, DC; Maureen E. Peckman, Nevada; Bonnie Robbins, Seattle, Washington; Adam Roberts, Washington, DC; Staff: JJ Scheele, Washington, DC

Nanci donates millions of dollars every year to PeTA and PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine). In 2004, she donated $5,000,000 to PCRM and another $5,000,000 to PeTA. All total, she donated over $25,000,000 to finance various animal rights organizations in 2004 alone. In 2003 PCRM received $10,000,000 from her and PeTA got $5,000,000.

In 2006 PCRM and PeTA each received $5 million.

IRS records also prove that her foundations have directly funded a violent animal-rights group described by the U.S. Department of Justice as a “domestic terrorist threat.” In 2001 and 2002 two donations, totaling $108,000, were made directly to SHAC (“Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty”), a multinational organization whose tactics have included death threats, car bombings, and physical assaults.

By the time the Alexander Foundation made its first grant to SHAC, that group’s violent activism had already resulted in eleven car-bombings in Great Britain, the baseball-bat beating of a medical research executive, and countless well-publicized threats of death or bodily harm. According to the February 23, 2004 issue of Newsweek, PCRM president Neal Barnard [who is tied professionally and personally to Ingrid Newkirk] co-signed a series of intimidating letters (on PCRM letterhead) with Kevin Kjonaas, then the U.S. president of SHAC. The letters were part of a campaign aimed at crippling a New Jersey company whose work includes medical research which requires the use of animals. Kjonaas, who also formerly served as a spokesperson for the FBI-designated “terrorist” Animal Liberation Front (ALF).

The Alexander Foundation is an animal rights organization’s dream.

However, donations to an obscure charity called Animal Rights America (ARA) tells a more troubling story.

The Alexander Foundation reported to the IRS that this donation was earmarked for Animal Rights America (page 17). The Alexander Foundation financially supported the notorious "Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty Campaign" – SHAC. The UK newspaper, The Telegraph, infiltrated SHAC's ranks to expose its secret funding network. A Telegraph reporter approached British SHAC leaders Greg Avery and Natasha Dellemagne and asked how he could contribute money. Mr. Avery and Ms. Dellemagne told him to pay a donation to the American charity Animal Rights America (ARA), which would be fed through its bank account and returned to Britain in cash for use by SHAC. Our undercover reporter was told that donating to the ARA was the perfect cover as the transaction would appear on banking records only as a contribution to a registered charity and could even qualify as a tax-deductible expense.

Ms. Dellemagne, 33, later telephoned him with the account number, bank code and charity tax identification for ARA. The money was transferred to the ARA account in Reading, Pennsylvania. (At one time the ARA had “offices” in quite a few states across the nation.)

Animal Rights America published “No Compromise”, a self-described "militant, direct-action newspaper" that "supports the A.L.F." And that group funneled money to SHAC, an organization whose members blew up cars, made death threats, beat people with baseball bats, and otherwise terrorized their "targets." And a major portion of that money trail began with the Alexanders.

It should be no surpise then that Nanci Alexander was also deeply involved with Operation Bite Back – a campaign carried out by ALF terrorists against farmers and researchers and anyone raising animals. Attacks were encouraged upon anyone making a living from animal ownership as part of their anti-capitalism campaign. Bite Back’s website was registered by Nicolas Atwood at a West Palm Beach, Florida address. The site promoted criminal actions against all kinds of targets. Photos and videos of animal enterprise terrorists were featured – acts of property destruction as well as interviews with convicted terrorists. Viewers were encouraged to write letters in support of these prisoners. Atwood was the Director of Communications at ARFF and also the Communications Coordinator for the Palm Beach County Cultural Council.

See Also:
http://foundationcenter.org/findfunders/

Alexander Foundation, Inc.
EIN 69-2789197

2006 $2,135,483

2005 $2,255,875
2004 $2,361,547

2003 $2,435,080

2002 $2,628,405
2001 $2,992,096

Nanci's Animal Rights Foundation, Inc.

EIN 65-1174489

2006 $73,032,658
2005 $55,487,486
2004 $39,364,682

During the past decade, Nanci Alexander has donated thousands of dollars to the Humane USA PAC, Robert Wexler (D) - FL; Alcee Hastings (D) - FL; Howard Dean (D), President of Dean for Amreica; Maria Cantwell (D) WA Senate; Peter Deutsch (D) - FL Senate; John Kerry for President Inc.; Robert C. Smith (R) NH Senate; Mario Diaz-Balart (R) FL House; the 20th District of Florida Federal PAC; Carol A. Roberts (D) FL House; Joseph Maxwell Cleland (D) GA Senate; Thomas Richard Harkin (D) IA Senate; ZACKPAC - Ben Wexter, Treasurer - Boca Raton; Charles S. Robb (D) VA Senate; DNC Services Corp/Demo National Committee; Patsy Ann Kurth (D) FL House; Ed Whitfeld (R) KY House; Peter A. Defazio (D) OR House; Elaine D. Bloom (D) FL House; Democratic Exec Committee of FL: Sam Farr (D) CA House; John C. Rayson (D) FL House; Barbara Boxer (D), CA Senate; Ronald Lee Wyden (D) OR Senate; Elect! for Animals; Patty Murray (D) WA Senate; Richard A. Gephardt (D) MO House; James A. Stuber (D) FL House; John Bryant (D) TX Senate; Robert G. Torricelli (D) NJ Senate; Peter M. Weinstein (D) FL House; John Forbes Kerry (D) MA Senate; Ronald Cordell Sims (D) FL Senate; Jack Mudd (D) MT Senate; Thomas H. Andrews (D) ME Senate; George J. Mitchell (D) WA Senate; Michael Allen Andrews (D) TX Senate; Joseph P. Kennedy II (D) MA House; Lois Jane Frankel (D) FL House; Nicki Grossman for Congress; Bob Graham (D) FL Senate & Paul E. Tsongas (D)

Former Board of Advisors for the ARFF - Animal Rights Foundation of Florida included Peter Deutsch, Alice Hastings, Robert Wexler, Cathleen Anderson (City Commissioner-Hollywood and President of Animal Birth Control), Ted Stedman Carr, DVM, Doris Day, Jay Ferber DVM, Scott Fuerst, Esq., Pam Huizenga (daughter of Waste Management mogul) and Ingrid Newkirk.

A Tangled Fluffy Web
Money, Politics and Deception

Sorry for the delay boys and girls. Our spider has been busy and this is that time of year when webs are spun faster than cotton candy at the state fair -- Legislation Time. One web leads to another, we're told, but we needed Spidey back in Pennsylvania for some updates, so he rushed back in his Ferrari L430 Spider packed full of facts.


Have you been writing letters to the new Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement and letting your voices be heard about the overly restrictive proposed rules and regulations? The "Pennsylvania Puppy Mill Campaign" worked long and hard to bring this about. A hoard of animal rights organizations screeched loud and long and finally got the attention of the governor and other politicians, who were more than happy to accommodate the public misconceptions about dog breeding in Pennsylvania.

Their names are legion: United Against Puppy Mills, Save-A-Dog, Main Line Rescue, Keystone Golden Retriever Rescue, NJ Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse (NJCAPSA) - Bob Baker and Libby Williams - Libby is related to one of the Main Line Rescue directors and she personally attended more than 35 zoning hearings in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to hear testimony and offer comments regarding applications of new puppy mills. Several applications were denied. We would hope so. Whoever heard of applying for a PUPPY MILL LICENSE ? - Save Ardmore Coalition, Prisoners of Greed, Stop Puppy Mills, Last Resort Animal Rescue, to name a few. They never let common sense or truth get in the way of stirring up public opinion against animal owners and breeders.

We know that our readers support animal welfare 100%. Proper animal husbandry and care for our animals is a given. We protest the hot-button phrase "puppy mill" because it was created by an anti-animal ownership faction. These groups ultimately do not support animal ownership, period, unless, of course, you abide by their rules, have the monetary status to own and keep an animal the way that THEY prescribe. There was a more productive way to deal with sub-standard kennel operations, but where is the publicity and money in that?

DISNEY WORLD KENNEL

Herein lies the problem. No matter how they try, the state cannot legislate human behavior. A few sour apples will taint the lives of decent, tax-paying, law abiding citizens. In an ideal world, the laws would be applied fairly and everyone would own a DisneyWorld kennel. However, in this world, good people are victims of legislators and law enforcement officials gone wild. Even the best managed kennels are not 100% pristine 24/7. There are more shelters closed because of 'disease outbreaks' than there are commercial and private kennels closed for that reason. Here are just a couple recent articles for you to review regarding shelter disease outbreaks and OVERCROWDING. Click here and here to read these very recent articles.

Because the proposed rules and regulations are too broad and have the potential to be unfairly enforced for the slightest infraction, will Pa. create more of a problem than what exists? We believe that to be the case and so do responsible breeders. Read the proposed regulations again-but take your meds first! We cannot trust the State to guard our Constitutional rights or our private property.

The New Dog Law Advisory Board - Not in the Best Interests of Dog Owners ...... OR ... How Can You Regulate What You Cannot Define ?????

Somewhere along the way, Jesse Smith commented that the Department was not looking for the small hobby breeder, but those that were breeding large numbers of dogs. What is a "large breeding" operation? According to the proposed regulations, failure to obtain a kennel license prior to operating any establishment that keeps, harbors, boards, shelters, sells, gives away or in any way transfers a cumulative total of 26 or more dogs of any age during 1 calendar year may result in violations. Is a large breeding operation one that has more than 26 dogs per year? Surely that cannot be correct. The regulations do not define small hobby breeders in any other manner that our researchers can find. There are also no definitions of "puppy mill" that we could find except on those web sites that claim they know what a "puppy mill" is.
One explanation, found on the Prisoners of Greed website is this:

'There is no definition of a puppymill. In our opinion anyone who breeds dog with profit as the main motivation and without consideration for the health and well being of the dogs and puppies is guilty of ethical crimes.
There are two kinds of these people - backyard breeders and puppy millers. They should both be driven out of business.
Anyone who has so little concern for the well being of the puppies that they have caused to be brought into the world that they sell them to someone else who will resell them qualifies as a mill in our opinion.'

By their own admission, THEY don't have a definition of a "puppy mill" - only an opinion and we all know about opinions. (As a matter of fact, we received a picture of an "opinion", via an anonymous sender, that originated from Main Line Rescue, apparently to one of our readers, who wanted us to see what type of mentality they were dealing with. We chose not to publish such a blatant display of ignorance.)

One thing is for sure, using their "opinion" of a "puppy mill" - those small breeders that breed for quality and those that show their dogs - cannot be considered a "puppy mill" and therefore, should not be subject to these regulations. But, the definitions and the regulations are still much too vague. A puppy mill could be anything the Advisory Board claims them to be, based solely on an OPINION. Same with a hobby breeder, a backyard breeder, or a commercial breeder. People must know what the proposed rule is stating in regards to specific definitions, otherwise it is ambiguous, arbitrary and capricious.

ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS - Absence of a rational connection between the facts found and the choice made. A clear error of judgment; an action not based upon consideration of relevant factors and so is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion or otherwise not in accordance with law or if it was taken without observance of procedure required by law. 5 USC. 706(2)(A) (1988). When a judge makes a decision without reasonable grounds or adequate consideration of the circumstances, it is said to be arbitrary and capricious and can be invalidated by an appellate court on that ground. There is, however, no set standard for what constitutes an arbitrary and capricious decision; what appears arbitrary to one judge may seem perfectly reasonable to another.

The Cauldron

The way the new rules are written puts everybody into the proverbial cauldron in this witch hunt...and you know it. Telling people not to worry certainly did not go very far in the dog world. We all know that there are some that don't apply good husbandry policies, but just which of the above named categories is the faltering faction in the Pennsylvania dog world? How many constitutional rights are needed for the witch's brew ?

Additional Restrictions & Money BUT Not For Everybody !!!

Adding restrictions regarding the separation of puppies, larger crate/pen sizes, slope degree are all unnecessary to responsible dog owners. In more than several of the above mentioned websites, it is proclaimed that "these poor puppy mill dogs have never felt the grass under their feet." Bad news for all of those organizations. If these new regulations pass, they STILL won't feel the grass under their feet, will they? But hold on !!! None of these regulations pertain to the organizations that will house confiscated animals. Discriminatory? Yes, absolutely!

There is no reason that facilities that house animals for adoption and euthanasia, or that act as a holding facility for confiscated animals should not abide by the same rules. Why would you take a dog from a home where it had free run of the yard or house and put it in a concrete block space not large enough for it? Humane treatment? Where's the green grass? What about “lateral recumbence?” The new dog laws proposed by state officials to crack down on the “puppy mill” problem have a provision governing the size of “primary enclosures” for kennels. They are, according to the proposed rule, to be big enough so that a dog may lie in a “lateral recumbence” — on its side or back with legs fully extended — without any part of its body, tail, feet or head touching any side of the enclosure. Dogs that are placed into shelters don't get out and are subjected to being in "an enclosure" that does not provide "lateral recumbence." You ask the breeders in Pennsylvania to adhere to rules that you don't follow yourself. If the state wishes to teach "husbandry" to its breeders, then the state should set the example and the example is NOT in a shelter environment.

Overcrowding Shelters ??? or is it really ..... Hoarding for Profit !!!

Let's talk overcrowding or perhaps a better terminology would be "hoarding for profit." Shelters complain about overcrowding all the time. Could it be because they are not required to adhere to proper space allotments for particular animals? Do such cramped quarters constitute "humane welfare"? Will you start to pay people to foster like the state does with children? (Oops, pardon us - there are more stringent laws for DOGS than there are for the safety and welfare of children in Pa. !!) How long will you keep these dogs cramped in a rescue/shelter situation never being allowed to feel the "grass under their feet?" What about those dogs that are never adopted - they live their entire life in a SHELTER? .... for LIFE? You call that humane? We don't. If the intent is to be "fair", as stated, shelters should be included in the regulations as well. If you really think about it, "Shelter Hoarding for Profit" is not much different from what the regulations claim they are intended to stop.

Hopping Along the Money Trail

Who's who in this sad tale of wagging the dog? *Governor Rendell has powerful friends and supporters who helped finance his election campaign. Marsha Perelman (and other members of the Perelman clan) are at the top of the list. She sits on many of the same boards with him, socializes with him AND she is also a member of the new Dog Advisory Board. Perelman is also a valuable resource as a director of Main Line Rescue. Money talks and Rendell listens.

Click here to see the slideshow of who's who in the PA elite crowd. Perelmans, Hamiltons and Rendell and then let's talk about the 'handpicked Rendell committee' or better yet, click here for a cozy picture that speaks for itself.
Those of you that want to be a little adventurous, just Google Perelman and Rendell or "Marsha Perelman" for more information.

Perelman is also on the board of the ASPCA. (Bob Baker in an investigator for the ASPCA) Main Line Rescue admits that it has worked with the New York City ASPCA for years. In fact, they wrote that over half of MLR's dogs and cats come from other rescue orgs and SPCAs. The Spring 2004 issue of their newsletter stated that they received dogs from shelters in Delaware County, Baltimore, Maryland, NYC and St. Croix in the Virgin Islands.

Another new DLAB member is Mary Remer, a MLR dog trainer, owner of What a Good Dog in Villanova, and First Vice President of the Bull Terrier Club of America.

She and friend Carolyn Garson, plan to build a $6 million, state of the art pet care facility that will soon be opened in Chester County. There is no money in professional and responsible breeding, however, there is money in sheltering. *Note: Though Remer married into the DuPont dynasty we have been told that she also had money - perhaps more than her husband. A few people have informed A & N that Mary Remer is an advocate for professional and responsible dog breeders.

We mustn't leave out Joe Trippi. He is the media guru for the Best Friends Animal Society. He orchestrated the questionable BSL conference to the tune of German marching music. That is to say that Best Friends wants to use Germany's dog laws as a model for our "dangerous dog" laws right here in the land of the free. Trippi also has friends in PA's high places and he could easily become Mayor of Philly and Rendell's right hand man! WHAT NEXT??? If you don't believe us, maybe you'd like to take a look at what you missed ! Joe Trippi's - Democracy, the Internet and the Overthrow of Everything !!

You might want to also check out this article about Rendell's magic at raking in contributions! Just click here !

This is just one example of PA politicking. Wayne Huizenga of Florida donated $50,000 to Rendell in 2006. He owns Waste Management (WMI). Penn State is one of the most corporate-controlled universities in the U.S. - where tons of corporate and military research is done with no citizen right-to-know. For years, Penn State has promoted things that support Waste Management's operations in Pennsylvania, including the land-application of toxic sewage sludge and the site of a nuclear waste dump! But, those things aren't near as health threatening as "dog feces and worms," are they?

Wayne Huizenga is the only person in history to build three Fortune 1000 companies practically from scratch: Waste Management, Blockbuster Entertainment and AutoNation. He also owns the Miami Dolphins and is previous owner of the Florida Marlins baseball team and the Panthers hockey team. Blockbuster sold to Viacom for $8.4 billion in stock. He also re-entered the waste management field with the creation of Republic Services, which grew to be the third-largest waste management company in the U.S. before merging with Huizenga's first company, WMI. But Huizenga is not without his detractors. A 1994 article in the Miami New Times dug up a pile of dirt (both actual and alleged), including an early assault case in which he had roughed up a sales prospect who refused to do business with him (Huizenga lost the civil suit climbing his way to success at the expense of others; ties with organized crime; physical and emotional abuse of his wife; unfair competition practices; illegal political contributions; and disregard of environmental laws.

FYI - Several years ago, the Florida AR crowd began a campaign about hog crates. They created a PAC, chaired by Wayne Huizenga’s daughter, Pamela. Most of the PAC money came in six-figure chunks from the Farm Sanctuary, an animal shelter and former Animal Liberation Front “spokesgroup” based in New York and California. The web covers every coast and every border.
Smoke, Mirrors and Fire OR Is It Smoke, Mirrors and Photos ?

Back to the beginning. Save-A-Dog published "the Shame of Pennsylvania" website that featured a 6 year old Maltese, named Hope, that allegedly came from a puppymill. The dog appeared to be in terrible condition and was sure to stir the public's emotions and loosen their pocketbooks. In fact, Hope was a driving force behind the "puppy mill" campaign that eventually resulted in the new dog advisory board and the horrendous regulations that have been proposed.

This web page is published via petfinder.org, a group that MLR also networks with. (Petfinder.org is registered under Discovery Communications, Inc. which also is responsible for Animal Planet Media which is also a H$U$ partner). Main Line Rescue recently revamped its website and added pictures of another similar looking "Maltese" they named Shrimp.

The kennel in the photo posted to the Save-A-Dog site claimed that it was licensed in PA and that it had been inspected twice with no action by inspectors. They credited the reprint with permission of this information to Hearts United for Animals in Nebraska that has no contact name on the website.

An article from the Sept/Oct 2005 issue of the Best Friends magazine featured an article about Pennsylvania Amish puppy mills written by Julie Richard. Page 45 tells the story about a sick Maltese that was supposedly registered with the ACA - American Canine Association.

MLR recently emailed pictures and a story about Shrimp. They stated that he came from a PA kennel which was licensed and inspected 3 times without violations. MLR claimed the dog had been registered with the AKC and they sent this information to Governor Rendell and the new Dog Advisory Board in support of the strict proposals that may soon be law.

Though MLR is well connected, they leave a bit to be desired in the human relations department - and in credibility. These "maltese" stories share many similarities. Could this same story be recycled over and over? The claims are so similar - a very malnourished dog, from a licensed PA kennel that was inspected two or three times with no violations. Could such pictures be altered via a software program to create hideous and heartbreaking photos that would guarantee outrage, sympathy and donations? It has been known to happen.

The Great Wide Web

New Jersey has some of the, if not the most restrictive, animal legislation in the country with New York following close behind. We suppose they feel it their duty to see Pennsylvania become just as bad. Walter Hargis pushed the PA Puppy Mill Awareness day in the Long Island newspapers. Turns out that his wife, Kathy, is an active rescuer of animals that specializes in "unsocialized puppymill" dogs. She is also credited with being a founding member of Puppymill Awareness Day and is a certified Animal Control Officer.

By the way, that website also features the pathetic MLR Shrimp dog and a link to Last Chance for Animals, headquartered in Los Angeles. (President Chris DeRose )

NJCAPSA eagerly joined the PA puppymill bashing party and reputable dog breeders took some hard punches and low blows. Libby Williams is the founder of this organization. She learned her craft as a volunteer for the Fund for Animals which led to her stint as a cruelty investigator for the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Also speaking at this puppy mill rally was ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Officer Annemarie Lucas, investigator for the NY SPCA, who is well known from the popular Animal Planet series, Animal Precinct. Bob Baker (former HSUS animal investigator now with the ASPCA) is also on the advisory board of NJCAPSA. (There is more about him on previous postings on this blog & easy for you to access.) During Animal Planet segments, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) officers can be classified as Special Agent or Special Investigator. Some HLE officers are spoken of only by initial (ex. Agent X, Y or Z) with their faces blurred when on-camera as a way to protect their identities so that they can do undercover work for the ASPCA.

Imagine that. Undercover agents for animals. Maybe in their free time, they should go and do some undercover work for abused children.

You know, the ones that never feel the grass under their feet, are black & blue, broken bones, no medical treatment, no clean clothes or bedding, no food or water, locked up and not permitted lateral recumbance. But, there's not much reward in that.

AND THE REWARD IS..............

Boys and girls, ladies and gents, we now show you the reward... !!!

A & N Research - bringing you the facts !!

Amazing how one picture is worth a million words !

Stay tuned for MUCH more !!

A Commentary on Pennsylvania's Proposed Dog Law Enforcement
Proposed Rules and Regulations

Department of Agriculture
7 PA. Code Chapters 21, 23, 25 and 27
36 Pa.B. 7596
http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol36/36-50/2452.html
To Implement and Amend http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/007/partIItoc.html

For many years now, the animal rights and animal welfare groups have been telling the entire nation that Pennsylvania is the "Puppy Mill" capital of the east. I have always been suspicious of this emotionally charged, hot button term. The phrase was introduced in the 1980s and the HSUS has used it at every opportunity since. Perhaps the phrase was first used to describe genuine, sub standard kennels - but it has since morphed into a catch all term that has been used to demonize even the most reputable of breeders.

There is no doubt that large, sub-standard kennels exist in Pennsylvania. Laws were in place that should have regulated such kennels, but they were not strictly enforced. Because the animal rights activists tend to cry "puppy mill" even when there are none, we must question their motives and credibility. We cannot allow these ridiculously stringent regulations to pass into law.

Laws are made to cull out the bad apples. Unfortunately, the bad apples usually do not adhere to the law. Many have already shut down their operations entirely or moved them to another state. These proposed regulations will become a burden on those who have always maintained professional kennels. The honest person is being punished for the misdeeds of those that the regulations were written for.

What is so onerous about these regulations is that they are nearly impossible to follow unless you are fortunate enough to have a full time staff. They are time consuming and will incur great expense to kennel owners. The potential for the regulations to be subjectively enforced is of extreme concern and must be taken into consideration.

Ironically, reputable breeders joined the animal welfarists in the crusade to clean up or shut down unprofessional breeders. Unfortunately the line between hard core animal rights and genuine animal welfare is very blurred, and often the former merely poses as the latter. I warned readers many years ago that animal rights people do not compromise - they see things in black and white (i.e. all breeders are bad). They can't be trusted and the newly appointed dog law advisory board and their proposed regulations are proof positive.

The PA Department of Agriculture admits they have relied on and borrowed from provisions set forth in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and in the Military Dog Training Manual. Both of these documents were created by and operated by the federal government which has ample funds to adhere to them. The U.S. military certainly has the budget to maintain a state-of-the art kennel. It is not reasonable to place those same standards upon a private citizen.

Taxpayer money will be used to purchase equipment necessary for measuring lighting and ventilation. It is estimated that $15,000 per warden will be allotted the first year and $5,000 for the next four years, or $35,000 per each warden. The information I have has 79 dog wardens listed - there could be more. 79 x $35,000 = $2,765,000, nearly $3 million dollars.

The proposed amendments to the regulations will impose additional costs on those regulated. Licensed kennels will need to comply with very restrictive specifications regarding lighting, ventilation, space requirements, sanitation, housing requirements and record keeping. "Temporary homes" will also have to comply with these regulations. The new dog advisory board estimates the costs for each person and kennel to come into compliance with these proposed regulations will range from $5,000 to $20,000. That is excessive and unacceptable.

Dog owners of every type need to make their voices heard NOW. We cannot afford to hide our heads in the sand any longer. If we do, we will deserve the regulations that will be imposed on us. Please be sure to send copies of your letters and comments to your State representatives (both houses), a copy to your federal representatives (both houses) and to Governor Rendell. They need to know what the Pennsylvania dog-owning taxpayers have to say about these proposed regulations.

Comment letters should be sent on or before February 10, 2007 to assure receipt by the comment deadline. Please also send copies of your letter to your State Senator and State Assemblyman and to the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs. Names and addresses are available on the website at Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs

Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
Attn: Ms. Mary Bender
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408
717-772-4352 (FAX)

Governor Edward G. Rendell's Office

225 Main Capitol Building; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
To telephone the Governor call:(717) 787-2500

If you have not read these regulations yet, you need to do so. The link to them is at the top of this article. The first time I read them, my head was spinning. These should be guidelines for an ideal kennel; not law.

The 26 Dog Rule
Any *establishment that keeps, harbors, boards, shelters, sells, gives away or in any way transfers a cumulative total of 26 or more dogs of any age during 1 calendar year must obtain a license. Those which do not fall under this definition shall obtain individual, rather than kennel, licenses.

K-1 kennels are currently described by PA law as those with 26-50 dogs. These are small operations that will most likely choose not to renew their kennel license if they are subjected to the restrictive and expensive regulations that are being proposed. Large corporations, such as the Hunte Corporation, can afford to buy puppies from smaller breeders while maintaining facilities that meet all the proposed requirements. These regulations encourage such factory farms, that will in turn, sell puppies to pet shops across the east coast!

The below example illustrates how detailed the proposed regulations are.

*(An establishment includes the home, homestead, place of business or operation of any individual or person, including a dealer, which includes all of the land, property, housing facilities or any combination thereof, on, in or through which any dog is kept, bred, harbored, boarded, sheltered, maintained, sold, given away, exchanged or in any way transferred. Establishment shall encompass all of the individuals or persons residing thereon. It may be public or private and includes an individual, person, organization, business or operation, which utilizes offsite or temporary homes to keep, maintain, breed, train, harbor, board, shelter, sell, give away, adopt, exchange, or in any way transfer dogs. A housing facility includes any land, premises, shed, barn, building, house, trailer or other structure or area housing or intended to house dogs for any period of time.)

Obviously the new, improved PA Dog Enforcement team wants to be able to legally access an establishment owner's entire premise and be able to inspect everything which they own. Buying a kennel or dog license conveys an obligation attached to ownership rights which puts one under obligation to abide by the governing laws, rules and regulations. The potential to violate Constitutional rights is just too much to risk in my opinion.

Of course, each time the Department decides a regulation has been broken they can file an injunction against the kennel and may also impose a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 for every day the kennel operates in violation of the act or regulations. (For instance, operating a kennel without a license, operating with a revoked license, suspension of a license, selling dogs without an out-of-state dealer license )

Seizure of dogs. The Department may seize, impound and direct forfeiture proceedings of dog(s) for the following reasons: Revocation, suspension or denial of a kennel license or an out-of-State dealer license. The owner shall pay for transportation costs, care and feeding of the dog(s) even though they are not in his possession.

These new regulations provide similar penalties that are used in alleged animal cruelty cases where animals have been seized. A person is judged guilty until proven broke. Remember, violation of any of these rules and regulations could theoretically result in punitive actions against a dog owner or kennel. There are procedures to appeal an ACO or dog warden's decision, but they are time consuming and expensive. Few people are able to retrieve their property (their dogs) once they have been forfeited. The holding fees are quite steep and unreasonable. Some of the animals die while in the care of a third party; some become diseased and others are sold or adopted out.

This is Administrative Law. The Dog Advisory Board not only writes and incorporates new rules and regulations into the statutes, it is also responsible for administering and enforcing them as well as judging whether they have been broken! It is difficult to fight such a system.

Extensive records on each dog kept at a licensed kennel must be maintained for at least 2 years. The records must be legible and be open to inspection and may be copied by any employee of the Department (with or without notice). All records must include the minimum information: the breed, color, markings, sex and age of each dog; the date on which each dog entered the kennel, and where the dog came from. Other information may be required depending on the type of kennel license one owns. The PA kennel license number or out-of-state dealer license is necessary for dogs that enter a kennel along with the name and address of the individual breeder or former keeper. Similar records are kept for dogs leaving the kennel including detailed vet records about the dog. (spayed, neutered, vaccinations etc etc)

Similarly, the housing requirements are quite detailed. Temperature control, safe housing, space requirements, protection from the elements, strict sanitation protocols, and even lighting specifications are set out in great detail for both indoor and outdoor facilities.

The following are just a few of the details covered. Outdoor dog shelters must be raised off the ground and built to be draft free, and yet must be well ventilated. They must have clean and dry bedding at all times. There must be a wind and rain break at the entrance and a mud free area with no standing or pooled water nearby. It must be easy to clean and sanitize. Dogs may not be housed in drums or barrel houses.

Shade must be provided by a permanent fixture; not a tarp. The shade area must allow for air movement in excessive heat and protect the dogs from the direct rays of the sun. The shade areas must adhere to strict space requirements.

Both indoor and outdoor facilities must be equipped with waste disposal and drainage systems built on a slope and in the best possible manner to wash away animal waste and allow for quick runoff. (At least 1/8" per foot) Outdoor kennel runs must be sloped to a gutter outside of the end fence of each run. Drains and gutters shall be sanitized daily then flushed with water.

The exercise run associated with each dog box must be at least five times the length of the largest dog in that run and two times as wide as the length of the largest dog in that run. Outdoor runs and exercise areas may be constructed of concrete, gravel or stone. Again, the regulations set for very definite specifications. Outdoor facilities, including runs and exercise areas shall be kept free of grass and weeds. Grass and weeds shall be cut back from the sides of runs and exercise areas to a distance of 5 feet to help prevent tick, flea and other parasite infestation.

Each dog shall receive 20 minutes of exercise per day. Dogs shall be walked on a leash by a handler or put in an exercise area. The exercise area must be fenced, shall be kept in good repair, and equipped to protect dogs from becoming wet, matted or muddy during their exercise. Outdoor facilities must be fenced and be constructed to minimize or prevent vermin, animal, insect and pest infestation and other vectors of disease.

Records shall be kept regarding dates and times:
When the housing facility was cleaned.
When the housing facility was sanitized.
When each individual cage, dog box or primary enclosure was cleaned.
When each food and water bowl was sanitized.
When new food and potable water was provided each dog.

Every keeper of a kennel shall keep a record of the following for each dog housed in the facility:
The date, time and detail of daily feedings, cleaning of kennel, and changing and refreshing potable water.
The date, time and detail of exercise activity of the dog.
The date, time and detail of any medication administered to a dog.
Any accident or incident in which the dog is injured.
The date and time of any veterinary care administered.
Records of veterinary care for each dog.
Any veterinary ordered or voluntary protocol for vaccination, medication or other recommendation for medical treatment of the dogs.

Tethering rules are set forth for dogs that are outside. Accessible hot and cold water, sinks, showers, towels and soap are mandated for animal caretakers. Dogs housed in indoor and sheltered kennel facilities shall be provided a regular diurnal lighting cycle. Primary enclosures must be placed to protect the dogs from excessive light. A minimum of 10-foot candles for kennel building and primary enclosures; 20-foot candles for bathing, grooming and toilet areas and 70-foot candles for food preparation and storage areas are required. Electrical systems in wash down areas must have ground fault circuit interrupters and all others must be the all-weather type with a spring cover.

Dogs not acclimated to current weather conditions shall be kept indoors Puppies not born in the receiving kennel facility shall be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days. Adult dogs entering the kennel from another place shall be quarantined. Dogs must be separated according to sex, size and temperament during prescribed daily exercise times.

Detailed provisions regarding dangerous dogs are described. Dangerous dogs must be registered, restrained and under strict supervision. Liability insurance is required. Violations may result in misdemeanors, confiscation of the dog and its euthanization.

We have very briefly touched on the main subjects covered in these extremely oppressive regulations. The regulators need our input. These proposed rules must be modified. Left as they are, there is too much room for them to be unfairly enforced and administered. There is too much room for them to be enforced subjectively without common sense. We, who read the news, see this happen each and every. Such ideal guidelines cannot be legally enforced without causing harm to innocent, law abiding citizens.

Rendell's New 17 member Dog Law Enforcement Team

The new DLE replaces the old Department of Agriculture Dog Bureau. What will they do? They will regulate how dogs are bred, kept and sold in Pennsylvania.

First of all, Governor Rendell’s proposed 55 page piece of legislation would strengthen animal cruelty penalties. The DLE could issue civil penalties for violations that will be subject to administrative hearings, rather than be heard in the judicial branch. The DLE's prosecutor would represent ACOs in an administrative law court with the approval of the local district attorney.

ACOs could seize dogs at will and charge the owners with cruelty, neglect, etc. according to their subjective judgement. Owners would be responsible for impound fees pending the civil hearing which are quite high. Does that mean there will be sweeping changes in the ranks of the old PDA dog wardens?

Few people fight these kinds of cases (1) because of the inflated holding costs and (2) because of attorney's fees. Both of these financial burdens continue to escalate as the case drags on. Generally, the defendant/victim gives into implied threats of high fines and jail fees and decides it is easier to forfeit the animals.

Under the proposed statutes, kennel owners would pay a surety bond prior to receiving a license. If dogs are seized from an unlicensed kennel, that kennel would have to post bond before taking any legal action. Of course, any owner charged with cruelty will have their license revoked and be unable to receive a new one.

Cage size will be doubled for all dog owners BUT NOT FOR humane societies. Many more specific and detailed requirements for indoor and outdoor kennels are proposed and will be enacted unless dog owners get involved and voice their objections. However, when groups like the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs were excluded from discussions on proposed changes, it certainly appears the fix is in.

Who are They?
The special deputy secretary for the new DLE is Harrisburg resident, Jessie Smith. ASPCA-approved Smith is the new liaison with the public, dog welfare groups, municipalities and courts. Smith has experience working in the state attorney's general's office and until recently, she served as president of the Humane Society of Harrisburg.

Additionally, the Governor appointed Jeffrey Paladina the special prosecutor for dog law enforcement. Paladina was, until recently, the assistant district attorney in Beaver County. His new duties will include civil animal forfeiture cases and administrative appeals of kennels that have had their licenses revoked. Paladina plans to be very involved in the state's proposed crackdown on unlicensed kennels. Paladina now resides in Harrisburg with his family.

This is a one-two punch aimed at the rights of every commercial dog breeder in Pennsylvania. The animal rights crowd is rejoicing while savvy dog owners should be very very worried. Rendell has made it just too darned easy for these two people to have too much power and influence.

“Governor Rendell’s decisive actions are a great example for other lawmakers who are trying to improve animal welfare conditions in their states and communities,” babbles Bob Baker, a consultant to the ASPCA on anti-cruelty and animal welfare issues. Well, Robert O. "Bob" Baker does not own and operate a commercial kennel nor is he an impartial bystander. Baker was formerly chief investigator of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and is now VP of CAPS - the Companion Animal Society. He claims to be the top puppy mill investigator in the country.

We should mention that Deborah Howard, president and co-founder of CAPS, has a great deal of media experience. Prior to CAPS, she ran an Atlanta-based public relations agency. Howard was formerly with Porter/Novelli -- the lead PR agency with the Omnicom Group --in San Francisco and has worked with newspapers and news services all over the country, such as the Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Detroit Free News, The Miami Herald, The Baltimore Sun, and Dallas Morning News. Her numerous magazine placements include Life, People, U.S. News & World Report, Consumers Digest, Rolling Stone, Elle, Vogue, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Better Homes & Gardens, Working Woman and Entrepreneurial Woman. Howard has also worked as a radio news reporter and anchorwoman. She is a graduate of New College of the University of South Florida with a B.A. in Political Science and has a law degree from Santa Clara University.

Can you say Means, Motive and Opportunity?
Free Dogs for All - Except for the Commercial Breeder

Free the Dogs from the puppy mills. Free dogs for the Humane League of Lancaster County. Free dogs for the Humane Society of Harrisburg. Free dogs for the Chester County SPCA. Free Dogs to the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter. Free dogs for Main Line Rescue. Who will oversee and prevent this vast conflict of interest and corruption?

The Humane League of Lancaster County reported $5,077,248 in net assets during 2004. Sue West, the president, is also an appointee to Rendell's DLE and was very vocal in the press in support of the new DLE. Nancy Gardner is the president of the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and another appointee.

Other Appointees include:
Dr. Ilana Reisner, a dog behaviorist and director of the Behavior Clinic at the University. Reisner attended the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine where she completed a residency in animal behavior as a Morris Animal Foundation Fellow. She is past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and the on-line behavioral consultant for the Veterinary Information Network.

Dr. Charles Newton - School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania and Deputy Associate Dean, University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Medicine is also on the DLE. He is the acting director of CART - the Philadelphia County Animal Response Team. SART is based on the principals of the Incident Command System developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA, and involves a coordinated effort of government, corporate and animal organizations. SART's structure is organized on the grassroots level with County Animal Response Teams (CART). CARTs include local professionals, community leaders and concerned citizens.

We will provide contact information for these remaining members of the DLE. Perhaps they will be willing to impartially listen and act on our behalf.

John Gibble – President, NE Beagle Gundog Federation
Ms. Douglas Newbold – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
Larry Breech – PA Farmers Union
Kristina Watson – PA Farm Bureau
Mary Remer – first vice president, Bull Terrier Club of America
Linda Lowney – Town and Country Kennel Inc.
Kim Kraemer – District manager, Pet Smart
Harold Stoneberger – Owner, Central Penn Hunting Clays
Cynthia Miller – American Kennel Club
Janet Mawhinney PA Sheep & Wool Growers Association
John Weinstein – Allegheny County Treasurer
Capt. Kenny O’Brien – K-9 Unit, Philadelphia Police Department

The Shame of Pennsylvania
Puppy Mill Propaganda - Part III

A New Web Forms

In Parts I & II, we gave you basic outlines of the facts surrounding the current issues in Pennsylvania. Today, we give you even more. A
brand new kind of web !

A & N Research
_____________________________________________________________________________________ MOVING FURTHER INTO THE WEB

We promised, in Part II, to get back to the Main Line Rescue Board Members, so - let's proceed.

WEBS OF GOLD AND SILVER

Main Line Rescue - Board of Directors

Helen M. Smith, President
Helen M. Smith is the mother of William E. Smith. She is listed as the President, however, on the current 990's, she is listed as the Treasurer. This is clearly a family affair.

William E. Smith, Treasurer

Founder and spokesman of Main Line Rescue . Smith has managed to lease, w/option to buy, the Old Pickering Hunt Club at 113 Cambridge/Chester Springs (Phoenixville) The new digs consist of, (so far), a 9,500 sq ft bldg with 79 kennels on 58 acres of open space. They will begin a campaign to raise $2.3 million to pay for these new digs. Currently, they have 2 employees and 50 volunteers. Their kennel manager is Megan Anderson.

Betsy Legnini, Chairman
In our last issue, we briefly mentioned that the Main Line Animal Rescue facilities had to be moved, due to eminent domain. Bob Smith and friends formed the Boxwood Five Partners to petition the East Pikeland Commission for a new property.

The Boxwood Five was represented by Bob and Betsy Legnini, Attorney Gregory Davis, Engineer Martin J. Swaggard and Bill Smith of Main Line Animal Rescue.
The French Pickering Creek Conservation, Inc. organization, yet another Pa. 501(c)3 organization, controlled the dealings. Their 2004 IRS 990 shows a net balance of $2,652,205. The 58 acre land conservation easement is on the French and Pickering Creeks. Are they concerned about the dog 'pollution' from the Main Line Rescue kennels? Could this possibly be the same group that protested in front of the capitol that was concerned about "animal pollution?" We checked. It is.
Bill Smith was very concerned about "puppy mills" doing just this when he spoke at the rally which was held on the steps of the Pennsylvania capital building.

Francine Diggs
Francine is listed as the MLR Secretary. She is also President of the VSI Group, Inc. VSI Group is one of the fastest growing companies in metering and customer services for utilities (electric, gas, and water), meter manufacturers, and municipalities with over 700 employees nationwide. Francine oversees business planning and development and strategic planning for the Company. She is a former Deputy State Treasurer of Pennsylvania, earned an MBA from Wharton and a BA from Howard University.


Betsy Fadem, Member
Betsy Fadem, another MLR BOD member, was elected to the Treddyfin/Easttown School District in Berwyn, PA in 2001. She is chair of the Policy Committee, a member of the Finance Committee and represents Easttown, Region 3. She has resided in T/E for nine years and her two children attend T/E schools. She once ran for a seat in Region Three.

Anne Hamilton, Vice Chairman
Anne Hamilton is the Vice Chairman of MLR, and is the daughter-in-law of of Dorrance “Do Do”Hamilton, the Campbell Soup Heir. She is the widow of brokerage executive, Samuel M. V. Hamilton. You might want to read the linked article we found about Anne (above). Quite an eye opener.

The rich are definitely different.

Dorrance "Dodo" Hamilton (above, right) leaves Criminal Justice Center after testifying yesterday.


Barry Katz, Esq., Legal Council
Barry, of Rosemont, Pennsylvania is President and General Counsel for Belmont Holdings Corp. located in Bala Cynwyd, PA. Belmont Holdings Corp., a private company, deals in miscellaneous monmetallic minerals, other crushed and broken stone mining and quarrying. They also mine and develop diatomaceous earth.


Vincent T. Donohue, Secretary
Vincent is also listed as Secretary for MLR. He is a partner at the firm of Lamb McErlane in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Since 1998, Vince Donohue has advised Lamb McErlane's clients on all matters related to business law, including business formation, equity structuring and recapitalization, owner relationships, debt and equity investments, tax and employment issues, leases and related financing arrangements, and real estate transactions.

Vince has successfully represented corporations and business owners in a long list of notable cases including a manufacturing client in the $7 million acquisition of a competitor's assets.

Vince's case experience also includes representing clients in the communications industry in connection with a $1.2 billion sale of stock by its shareholders; the Housing Authority of the County of Chester in connection with the restructuring and refinancing of its mixed-finance development projects; a closely held business in the creation, structuring and implementation of a business succession plan for its family member shareholders; and an operator of early childhood learning centers in a dispute with its landlord which was resolved by the acquisition of the subject real estate from the landlord.

As a former tax consultant, Vince provided tax consulting and advisory services for transactions involving many Fortune 500 companies.

Vince is actively involved in a number of Chester County organizations including the Foundation of the Chester County Chamber, The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry, the Chester County Historical Society and the Tredyffrin Township Historic Preservation Trust.

Julie Becton, Director
Julie is listed as a MLR director. She is also the secretary of the USS Laffey Association which is dedicated to two WWII battleships, one of which is in the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, Mt. Pleasant, SC. Her father was Frederick Julian, a USN Rear Admiral.
USS Laffey Association
Julie Becton - Secretary
212 Cherry Lane
Wynnewood, PA 19096
(610) 642-8025


Marsha Perelman, Vice Chairman
Marsha Reines Perelman - Mrs. Jeffrey Perelman - is Vice Chair of Main Line Rescue and the sister-in-law of Revolon cosmetics chief, Ron Perelman.

Marsha wears many hats. She is the founder and chief executive officer of Woodforde Management, Inc. holding company (which donated to Democrat Bob Casey)and is located in Ardmore, PA. Her company with a similar name - Woodlorde Energy did the same. M.R. Perelman is co-founder and president of Clearfield Ohio Holdings, Inc., a gas gathering and distribution company. She is co-founder and VP of Clearfiled Energy, Inc., a crude oil gathering and distribution company. Add to that the title of VP of the Penn Central Energy Group of the Penn Central Coporation and Director of Penn Virginia Resource GP, LLC. Marsha is a Director for Leadership Philadelphia and a board member of the City Gala Advisory Board, along with Anne Hamilton and Governor Ed Rendell, who also sit on that board. It just so happens that Marsha is also on the BOD of the ASPCA and one of their corporate sponsors is Iams pet food. Coincidentally, Iams delivered 35,000 pounds of free dog and cat food to Main Line Rescue. We wonder if they know that PETA cites IAMS for cruelty in animal testing?

The Buddy System

Anne Hamilton, Marsha R. Perelman and Governor Edward G. Rendall all sat on the BOD of the Franklin Institute in 2004. You could just click here to see the whole gang on one page. Belmont Holdings, Perelman Theatre, Hamilton Gardens - along with some other interesting trivia! Also be sure to visit the Academy of Fine Arts in the Samual M.V. Hamilton Building - also chaired by the same group.

A little background history:

Raymond G. Perelman* is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of RGP Holdings, Inc. and Belmont Holdings Corp. Both companies comprise a vast array of manufacturing, mining and financial interests. Raymond and Ruth Perelman are trustees of an Education Foundation which carries their name. In 2005, they donated $25 million to the PENN Medicine's Center. Their sons are Jeffrey E. and Ronald O. Ronald is Chairman of the BOD for MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings and Chairman of the BOD of the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Revlon Consumer Products Corporation. Ronald is also a trustee of the Univ of Penn. He established the Ronald O. Perelman Professorship in Finance and the Perelman Quadrangle. Jeffrey is Chairman and CEO of JEP Management, Inc. and he is Secretary of the board of Trustees of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Raymond is also a Penn Medicine Trustee and has donated to Santorum. Raymond and Ruth are also Trustees of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman Education Foundation that supports Jewish cultural and welfare organizations.

Old Towels and Laundry Detergent Needed !!

Humorously interesting, we present you with this article. Megan Anderson says "MLAR doesn't just need money donations, but simple things such as old towels and laundry detergent."
With the support and backers they have, they can manufacture all the towels and detergent that they could ever need. They can get all the Revlon products they could wish for, and feed everybody Campbell Soup products forever. One quick signature on a check or the pocket change out of somebody's purse would give them the $2.3 million that they intend to dupe from the uneducated public - a public that has NO idea of what is truly behind a non profit, 501(c)3, very well funded, politically connected organization.

Are you running around collecting up old towels now? Doesn't it just make you want to run out and buy up all the Tide you can find to send to them?

Interesting last minute note

In 2004, MLR received a $5,000 grant from the Dade Community Foundation in FLORIDA !
We'll give you more information on this when our little spider returns from there with his report !!

UAPM (United Against Puppy Mills) is the media contact for the "Puppy Mill" campaign publicity. They work behind the scenes and keep their membership as private as possible. However, we do know they were founded in May 2005, that their PA business registration number is 3303231 and that their registered office address is 1305 Wheatland Ave in Lancaster.

The address belongs to J. Glenn Ebersole's J.G. Associates' office. He is also the founder of the Renaissance Group, on the board of the Advisors of Penn State, is running a 5-year term on the Lancaster Commission and Is Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee of the Modern Transit Authority. Each of these positions affords him many influential contacts within Pennsylvania.

His wife, Helen Ebersole, is one of the co-founders of UAPM. Helen is the Community Action Commissioner of Lancaster and on is on the Lancaster Zoning Commission. She is also on the Zoning Committee in Lancaster which just happens to review Kennel Licenses. Helen is also involved in many other community organizations and is the Continuing Education Co-ordinator for Penn State. Helen is a member of the Lancaster Italian Society and so is another UAPM co-founder, Josette A. Armini. In fact, Josette received a college scholarship from the Lancaster Italian Society.

We already mentioned Jackie Keeney in a prior issue, who wrote a letter on the Save-a-Dog letterhead representing UAPM, and posted it to the Save-A-Dog website. She is an attorney and member of the Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. Bar Associations plus she has over ten years experience in the real estate market and title business.

The press stated that Dee Strathmeyer of Neffsville was also a UAPM member but she still remains illusive. However, no thread in the web will remain hidden forever. UAPM will be holding a special meeting in January, 2007 - a "refresher" course. Some of you might like to attend !

A name that kept popping up, but not included with any animal related organization, was Linda Figueroa. Helen Ebersole is the Community Action Commissioner of Lancaster, Linda Figueroa is the Executive Director of Community Action in Harrisburg. In 2003, Linda and J. Glenn Ebersole were appointed to the board of directors of MTP. Both Linda and J.Glenn hold seats in other endeavors, as well. If you go here, you will get some valuable information. Then Liz Figueroa (D-Ca) showed up here, along with Sally Tully Figueroa. All at the same site? Further investigation showed that Sally Tully Figueroa is a DDB representative for Puerto Rico and the secretary of this organization. Coincidentally, she is also the owner of this organization. We'll get back to that investigation at a later date for another issue. You can count on it.

What a Web !

Attorneys, real estate agents, city planners and more, help connect this web. Each has a useful purpose in the movement to shut down your kennels, your hobby, and take away your rights to own animals. These people and groups are politically motivated and have built their web on the limbs of animal rights rhetoric.

SNEAK PEEKS

Political Contributions
Marsha R. Perelman of Woodford Energies to Rendell for Governor $7,500.00
Marsha R. Perelman of Woodforde Energy to Bob Casey for Senate $4,000.00

From the Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue group:
"Thank you, Governor Rendell. Your support through letters, emails, and donations helps to ease a great many worries and we can't offer enough thanks for your part in helping us Goldens."

Governor Rendell holds a 10:30 am Capitol press conference to "make a major 'energy' announcement. Then at noon, he's in Gettysburg for the 2005 Golden Retriever Club of America's judging and Rescue Dog Parade. (Wonder if Bob Casey's aide was there, too?)

Until next issue, we leave you with these important messages:

From Lost and Found Dog Rescue - "Don't BUY a puppy from ANYONE in the Lancaster, Pa. (717) area code or ANYONE who "sells" puppies rather than rescues them.

and

From Save-A-Dog - Support Dog Adoption and Rescue. Why go to a DOG BREEDER or pet store to buy a dog when you can adopt?

NEXT ISSUE - Deeper into the Web
Rendell's new rules and regulations and new advisory board members !

In Part I, A & N Research addressed the “puppy mill” problem in Pennsylvania. The term puppy mill was coined in the mid to late 60's by the critics of large scale commercial breeding facilities. These critics are called Animal Rights Activists. There is a distinct difference between animal rights and animal welfare. The animal rightists long term goal is to actually end all animal ownership whatsoever and they will do anything to further their agenda. People with animals should familiarize themselves in the difference between animal rights and animal welfare.


The Shame of Pennsylvania
Puppy Mill Propaganda, Part Two

Entering the Web


The Beauty of a Web

Trying to explain how the AR web works would be extremely time consuming. There are so many intricate details related to web building. Rather than to expound on these intracacies, take a look at the picture of the web below - know and understand that THIS is exactly what you are dealing with. Using this web to illustrate the complexity of the system, picture each individual strand as a group or organization that is ultimately connected to one control center. That center, of course, is that unseen, unheard, unknown power that is ready to strike at a moments notice.

Look a little closer at the hub (the center) and surrounding it, you can see space with no radials connecting to the hub. This is called the free zone and that is where you are. No matter which way you turn, you are surrounded by the radial lines of the web. It's actually a thing of beauty - unless you are the ones in the free zone.

United They Stand: Divided We Fall

The web of Pennsylvania politics is tightly woven and amongst the different patterns and textures is one particular thread that binds them all together. Unless you are an animal owner, the tapestry of the web looks very pretty. Each thread, however, has a story and purpose, but their ultimate goal is the same.

Guilt before Innocence?

Any breeding operation or shelter has the potential to be substandard. Animal welfare is a genuine concern, but it must be dealt with fairly and with common sense. What has happened to our country? Are people judged guilty before proven innocent? What about the disregard for laws that already exist? Is it now considered socially acceptable to break the law and walk away? Is it now acceptable to be falsely accused of a 'crime', lose everything you have worked for just to provide more wealth (and power) for those that are the accusers? Why, and a very important question, does the majority of the media only seem to focus on the side of the accusers?

Furthermore, the mainstream press is under tight deadlines to publish stories. They go with sensation and like the animal rightists, they thrive on the emotions of the public– it sells papers. The same goes for television reports. They want ratings. They do not have the time or resources nor the personal desire, involvement, or possibly, the 'permission', to unravel the web thread by thread. We do. Research is our business.

The Players

The list of players in Pennsylvania is long, indeed. For this part of the series, we are going to concentrate on the two main players. Main Line Rescue and United Against Puppy Mills, with a little nudge from Dogs Deserve Better and a few of the other linked associates.

Controversy and Creativity

Although Main Line Rescue and United Against Puppy Mills have been promoting their campaigns for some time, perhaps the creativity and controversy began with the arrest of Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, when she violated laws of the state by removing a dog from it's owners property. This well staged event brought down the house. With assistance from Best Friends and the incident being published on every animal rights website, including the Animal Liberation Front website, the media focused on Pennsylvania. The Animal Planet channel hosted a "Hero of the Year" award sponsored by them and Fresh Step, a Clorox company, and allowed Tammy Grimes to be a nominated part of that contest. This should not surprise anybody. Animal Planet has partnered with more than several non profit organizations. View the list of these non profit organizations. Also take a look at The American Humane Association. See HSUS Hollywood - for more detailed information.

The Stage is Now Set

Main Line Rescue used their creative talents when they opted to put up billboards touting Lancaster County being home to hundreds of Puppy Mills. They contacted the Humane Society of the United States to ask if they could list their website on the billboards and noted that the HSUS has been very supportive.

Main Line Rescue has not been without its problems. They lost their "facilities" at Dee Solitaro's property but recovered quickly with the help of their friends and who would not love to have these kinds of friends.

A little Main Line Information (Public Records)

Main Line Rescue
EIN 23-301-7210
Reported net assets of
$2,760,600 in 2002
$ 31,621 in 2003
Negative balance -$53,346 in 2004

138 Cambridge Rd.
King of Prussia, PA 19406
610-337-9225

Helen M. Smith, President
William E. Smith, Treasurer

Francine Diggs, Secretary
Betsy Fadem, Member
Anne Hamilton, Vice Chairman
Barry Katz, Esq., Legal Council
Vincent T. Donohue, Secretary
Julie Becton, Director
Betsy Legnini, Chairman
Marsha Perelman, Vice Chairman
Michelle Rice, Member

Quite a list of impressive friends. We'll be getting back to them later on in the series.

Some others in Main Lines circle of friends includes, but is not limited to, the following groups. Look what Save-A-Dog promotes on their website -- HB1911. Readers are advised to help move this bill from committee to the floor for a vote by clicking on Dogs Deserve Better. They are told that DDB has an incredibly simple form they can click on to send a letter to every targeted committee member. The Save-a-Dog website also takes you to Save-A-Pet, and Petfinders, which boasts camaraderie with Drew Barrymore, Kelsey Grammer, Rue McClanahan, the Taco Bell dog, Weight Watchers and many more. North Shore Animal League sponsors both organizations.

Same old Party Line

Did you notice the same old party line? "Did you know that many backyard dog breeders and pet stores who supply the majority of purebreds simply are selling inbred pets without care for preventing genetic problems? Mixed breed pets have less inbreeding, generally less inherited genetic disease, and therefore overall lower vet bills and happier pets! And the best place to find a mixed breed dog or cat is at an SPCA, a humane society or an animal shelter." Let's not forget the other line..."Don't buy from a breeder or pet shop when you can adopt from a shelter."

Responsible dog breeders and owners should certainly discuss these advertised comments with their attorneys while compiling a class action suit against such slanderous remarks. Shelter pets often come with behavioral problems, possible disease, unknown history and genetic factors that may make them less than desirable pets. In fact, they accuse the responsible breeders of what they themselves are guilty of. They seem to accuse responsible breeders of making so much money, yet, we found no evidence of any responsible breeders that had the backing of such 'distinguished' people ... or bank accounts....as the board members of Main Line Rescue and UAPM. Nor did we find any responsible breeders with checking account balances that held a balance of several million at any time. We looked. We asked. We interviewed. We also tried to find any shelter or 501(c)3 non profit organization that did any genetic testing on their adoptable, free from genetic defect animals. We found none. Perhaps this is why the non profit organizations have so much money and the responsible groups do not. Responsible breeders test their animals and therefore, what they may get for an animal is used to pay for same. What do you say, Non Profits? Do YOU test all your animals that you take in prior to placing them in a home? Or do you only make sure you spay/neuter and give them shots? What is your policy when a dog that you have adopted out shows up with a genetic problem down the road? We found information that you can "pick and choose" the animals you want from other facilities. What becomes of the ones that were not choosen? Do they continue to be "hoarded" by those facilities and for how long? Will they and do they all get the 'required time out' for exercise to "feel the grass under their feet?" We have found many articles and facts regarding "importing strays" while the shelters scream of 'overpopulation', and we have also found some shelters that actually 'breed' to keep their available numbers of adoptable dogs up. We certainly would not want Governor Rendell and the new board to become confused when they learn that the non profit entities are not exactly what they claim to be, so we'll just postpone this for another issue in the series.

MORE CREATIVE CONTROVERSY

More creative controversy began when United Against Puppy Mills (UAPM), based in Lancaster County, obtained 33,500 signatures of Pennsylvania residents and urged Governor Rendell to remove the Bureau of Dog Enforcement from the Department of Agriculture. Bowing to public pressure, and hoping to garner 33,500+ votes during his next election campaign, Rendell removed the 14 member advisory panel and put together an ad hoc committee.

The Governor's new ad-hoc commitee was kept hush-hush and secretive until an October 17th press release. Rendell was caught up in the animal rights push for tougher laws and sweeping changes -- laws and changes that have the potential to harm innocent, law abiding pet owners and animal breeders. Dogs fetch good prices and the animal control/animal sheltering network is now in a position to profit from the hard work and dedication of others. We now have information that the "secret" committee had sent a 55 page Rule and Regulation Change to the Attorney General for approval. It seems that AFTER it is approved, the good Governor will allow those Rules and Regulations to be seen by the public and comments on the approved changes and additions in those 55 pages can be made at that time.

It is no secret that animal forfeiture cases have risen in number since the early 1990’s. All an animal rights activist needs to do is call in an anonymous tip to the proper authority. Animal control officers have been taught, via HSUS and ASPCA literature, that animal hoarding is a big problem in our country. They are taught that animal cruelty is rampant – even though the criteria to establish an “animal cruelty” is mostly subjective. The dog catchers are watching the dog house, so to speak, or are they? One of Governor Rendell's Rule changes affects the sizes of cages, crates and indoor/outdoor runs of breeders, but NOT of the humane societies, claiming that those dogs are only there temporarily. What is the definition of 'temporary?' Our investigation shows Humane Societies crying for lack of space. They then transport animals to other states that do have space to accomodate these animals - temporarily, again. How do they manage to transport all these animals without proper paperwork from one location to another, expecially from state to state? Then we found the HSUS report on this subject, including euthanasia of these 'temporarily hoarded' animals.

Conflict of Interest

It is a conflict of interest to allow ACOs to have power and authority over a sector of legitimate business and animal ownership rights when they have such a strong incentive to take the animals that they can profit from! When animals are seized from a person, daily charges accrue for their “room and board.” Actual criminal charges are not filed until at least a month after the animals are taken. If the person is fortunate enough to prove their innocence and regain custody of their own property, they usually cannot afford to do so after lawyers fees have piled up. Thus, they look guilty to the general public, who knows next to nothing about how this system operates.

Who pays for the exorbitant boarding, food and vet bills while animals are in custody? Generally, the taxpayers do. The shelters and holding facilities are allowed to keep any money they make from adoption fees and often these match or exceed the price a legitimate and reputable breeder sells an animal for! Confiscated animals often suffer cruelty from those who have rescued and saved them. Animals often pick up disease at the holding facilities. They are examined by vets who are over worked and trained to look for justifications why the animals should never be returned to their owners. The animals suffer stress from being torn away from their families and homes. Some die in the shelters and pounds; others are euthanized.

This brings us back to the Animal Control, Animal Rights, Rescue/shelter infrastructure. This grassroots network has been cultivated, blade by blade, for several decades. They are now in a place to reap what they have so diligently sowed. On a national, even a global level, is the Humane Society of the United States – a power so vast and wealthy, it boggles the imagination. We could write volumes about their key part in weaving the webs that now blanket America and smother our Constitutional rights, but for now we focus on just one corner of Pennsylvania. See Humane Society Police Officers Registry.

A New Web

As you can see, the original web we started with has now turned into a different kind of web. We'll show it to you in the next issue.

Who are the new advisory board appointees? Who runs UAPM? Who are the people associated with Main Line Rescue? How are the Pa. politicians associated with them all? What were the new "secret" Rules and Regulations that were proposed? Which Golden Retriever Rescue group in Pa. has the Governor as a member? Which Golden Retriever Rescue group member in Pa. is Bob Casey's right hand aide?

All questions you have submitted to us, so we will continue to press on and research the facts.

Sneak Peek

Who was appointed to the new dog advisory board? Surprise! Jessie Smith, 20-year veteran of the PA office of Attorney General and president of the BOD for the Humane Society of Harrisburg since 2003. (Listed as one of the HSUS Federated Humane Societies.) Check out the HSH adoption fees.

This is a double knockout for Pennsylvania animal owners. Smith has incredible knowledge of the legal system we explained in our first paragraphs, the contacts, the influence and the power. As the president of a Humane Society, Smith has double the inside knowledge, contacts, influence and power.

Next issue: A New Web Forms

Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs Position Statement

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We received this News Release today regarding the current situation in Pennsylvania. All comments received will be forwarded to the contributor.

A & N Research

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NEWS RELEASE

POSITION STATEMENTS AND CONCERNS ABOUT POLICIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF GOVERNOR EDWARD RENDELL AND DOG LAW

October 22, 2006

Governor Edward Rendell’s administration continues to ignore the requests and concerns of the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs and the thousands of members of it’s 100 plus clubs that it represents in our state. Our Federation has been one of the major leaders in Pennsylvania since 1982 working to upgrading the Dog Laws and rules and regulations that are now in place to protect all dogs; dog owners; police, service and search and rescue dogs and also the general public from dangerous dogs. We have joined with other animal welfare groups to improve the cruelty laws that protect all animals, including making dog and cock fighting a felony offense.

Our dog and obedience shows and other dog related activities bring millions of tourists dollars into Pennsylvania every year and our clubs contribute greatly to our communities both in charity contributions and in educating the public on responsible dog ownership.

Despite our ongoing contact with this administration in an effort to establish a working relationship, we have found that we have not been included in any decisions that are being made which directly affect us and our hobby of owning, breeding, training, showing, etc. of our dogs. This administration has chosen to only meet with and listen to the Governor’s secret "ad hoc" radical animal rights groups, some of whom are from other states, who believe that no one should breed dogs in any way, regardless of the love and care that the dogs receive. They want the public to only get their pets from shelters and rescues and not have a choice of what kind of companions they wish to have in their homes.

To illustrate Governor Rendell’s disregard for our Federation and moderate groups other than the " animal rights" oriented people:

* New overly restricted rules and regulations for kennels were formulated without input from any kennel owners. These would not allow any licensed breeders to have their dogs and puppies in their homes or in their yards to exercise! These are absurd requirements! Most of us have our dogs in our homes. Ninety percent of these proposed rules could not be abided by our hobby breeders. The secret group wrote these and the Governor did not want us to have a copy.

* The Governor constantly accuses the past Dog Law Advisory Board of "not being proactive." It is his administration that has not been proactive in that it has only held 3 working meetings of the Board during the 4 years he has been in office. The Board cannot convene itself. Still he places the blame on the innocent volunteers of the Board.

*The Governor’s newly appointed Board no longer represents the statewide interest (2)
groups as it has since it was established in 1982. They are his personal favorites who in many cases cannot speak for the representative groups called for in the Dog Law. In our case, the law states "a representative of the dog clubs". He ignored our President, who reapplied for the position, and appointed a person who is only a member of a national breed club. She can not and will not speak on our behalf. Therefore, we have NO representation. The Dog Law does not allow for any additional members, but the Governor, who was the District Attorney in Philadelphia, plans to disregard the law and appoint 5 new "at large" members of his own choosing. Some of these are from his secret "animal rights" group.

* We had been told by one of the Governor’s aides that he was willing to meet with anyone in the state. We wrote a letter to the Governor at this aide’s direction requesting a meeting with him. We are now told that he is no longer interested and that we can only meet with his new Deputy Secretary of Agriculture over Dog Law Enforcement. That is a new position he created in the Department of Agriculture.

*Governor Rendell has set up this new department which consists only of lawyers and, soon, Criminal Justice college graduates to act as, he says, "a swat team" to inspect kennels. This very expensive new 8-person department will not be responsible for any of the other extremely important duties of our valuable Dog Wardens, such as dog licensing, rabies inoculations and control, stray dog control, investigating dangerous dog cases and dog caused livestock damage and public education. They will have to be trained on all aspects of the care, feeding and housing of dogs and puppies. It is doubtful that they come with any knowledge in this area. We are very worried that this new expense could deplete the Dog Law Restricted Account which is only paid for by dog and kennel license fees. We will not support any raise in fees to pay for these expenses. It seems to us that if it is felt that more rigorous inspections are needed of kennels, the same results could be accomplished within the current structure of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement by having a special roving team of Dog Wardens.

Needless to say, we are extremely disappointed in the attitude of Governor Rendell toward us and our clubs and their members. We are truly worried that if the animal rights groups are the only ones the Governor listens to, that any new rules and regulations or amendments to the Dog Law that he proposes will be without input from small breeders and will be detrimental to our rights.

This is still a democracy and we will have to be very vigilant in order to continue to pursue our hobbies with our beloved dogs.

Sincerely,

Dotsie Keith

Acting Chairman of the Legislative Committee

Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs
Box 67

Furlong, Pa. 18925