First and foremost, this whole situation is thanks to Eric Bellows, who seems to be in the same line of work/thought as Cesar Millan.. Which is all well and good, you can keep as many dogs as you are able to properly care for. He saw some dogs, didn't like how they were cared for, took pictures and rallied the villagers. Cue pitch forks and torches!!
And pitchforks and torches have come out, the villagers are indeed rallying - there are animal rights advocates posting all over the internet concerning this, with the majority of them being the typical "breeders are evil, all breeders should die, let's go steal these dogs and burn down their children!!!" type, irrational and jumping on every comment. Comment anything at all, in any way supporting the kennel OR simply stating an opinion about their conduct, and you are instantly an evil breeder, with no compassion, no heart, no soul, who should be stabbed and peed on. I was guilty of stating that taking the dogs would be theft, and that "for the animals" does not make you exempt from the law.
Now, what I have read thus far is that the Flat Creek Border Collies are being kept outside. This, when you get down to the heart of it, is the problem with the entire situation. The pups seem to be born and raised outside. A recent cold spell has caused concern for the welfare of the animals.
Some people seem to believe that no dogs should be kept outside. Others think that these dogs are not hardy enough to be kept outside. These, however, are opinions, and as far as the law is concerned, the dogs have proper care.
Waterproof roof? Check
Structurally sound? Check
Insulated? Check. With straw and snow.
Allow movement? Check. Those drums are pretty big, and if there is enough straw the dog can lay down outstretched.
Effective clean up? Check. Plastic is easily disinfected, and washes easily.
Now, no laws appear to be broken. The law enforcement agencies have said that as well. The dogs are not injured, they are not suffering. Photos support this, as they show normal dogs doing normal dog things.
There are a few questions that I have about this whole situation. The problem, is that the only ones who know the answers aren't taking questions from average shmucks like me.
Are the small dogs being let in at night, or provided some form of shelter? They are a well furred breed, and it is probably easiest to have them out during the day, but I would like to see them in some kind of shelter, be it the back porch, or a shed. They do need some kind of housing.
How did the ouchy dog hurt his nose? I know it wasn't frostbite, but the injury is there. I would love to hear the story behind it, because I am sure it is an innocent ouchy being taken out of context.
Why are those 2 dogs in the video limping? Does the owner know about the limp? What has been done for the limping dog?
What are the accurate, finite numbers of the dogs? I would love a list of the dogs, or numbers of desexed dogs, breeding males, open females, pregnant females, nursing females and immature dogs/puppies.
As far as the information available goes, I don't see anything wrong with how these dogs are kept. Would I do it? No, but I also only ever want one dog at a time, and have no intentions of breeding dogs. Just because I see a dog's role in my life as being a cute little companion and friend doesn't mean that I can't see dogs as working animals, be it guarding home or livestock, herding, tracking, hunting, working with the police or disabled people, or whatever else you can think of. I support this breeder's right to breed working dogs, and keep them outdoors, with this shelter, which the law deems as adequate. I support this breeder's right to live their life unmolested, to not have to fear the vigilantes stealing their dogs, or fear for their personal safety. I think that this is a case of people's personal opinions and conceptions getting in the way of things. I feel awful for these people who have had their life turned into a nightmare.
I wish I could say something to make a difference in this, but I know that no matter how I end this post, I will make those who feel that they are in the right with their actions and words angry. It has once more become breeder vs rescue. I can understand that the animal rights advocates feel very strongly against this breeder, and that animal topics generally tend to run hot. I do not, however, understand how they can feel it's right to threaten to steal animals, to direct comments about murder, assault, arson, and a multitude of other horrible things to these people, or any people. I don't understand how the breeder side can do the same thing, while saying how awful it is that the animal rights side is doing it.
I welcome any polite discussion, but will remove any and all comments that are cussing, from either side.
Research Credits
Stop Animal Rights Terrorism Against Breeders(via Facebook)
Save The Dogs From Flat Creek Border Collies(via Facebook)
"News" report(basically just a summary of the situation as a whole)
News Report - Time Warner News Saratoga County
News Report - Courier Standard Enterprise
News Report - WNYT
Image Credits
Stop Animal Rights Terrorism Against Breeders(via Facebook)
Save The Dogs From Flat Creek Border Collies(via Facebook)
Caramariephotography(via Facebook)
For all those just joining me, I now have a facebook fan page. Please, like it, show your support or your lack thereof, but keep it clean - no cussing, no insults - to people on BOTH sides of the fence.
Herds Not Hoards, The Fan Page