Date: Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 and Saturday, June 8th, 2013
Version: 3
Presented by: Pam Sordyl, Founder Puppy Mill Awareness of
Southeast Michigan
www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/
Kevin Wilken, Director of Saginaw County Animal
Control and Humane Consultations
http://www.humaneconsultations.org/
Tracking Backyard Breeders on Ebay – Webinar
Why track and report breeders?
Many times dogs are kept in poor conditions.
inadequate water, food, or shelter
lack of veterinary care.
They receive little socialization.
Genetic defects are passed down requiring costly veterinary care for families.
They contribute to the homeless pet crisis.
Photo Credit: USDA, Kansas breeder Melvin Rife 2011
Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Domestic Animals Control Commission (MADACC)
Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Domestic Animals Control Commission (MADACC)
Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Domestic Animals Control Commission (MADACC)
Marketing techniques of Breeders
LOCAL
Ebay Classified (Kijiji)
Hoobly
Craigslist
Flyers on pet store bulletin boards
Signs on light poles or off of main streets
Newspaper Ads (cost more) – also online.
Magazines
Many other various websites
NATION WIDE
Puppyfind.com
Nextdaypets.com
PurebredBreeders.com
Many other various websites
What are the different types of breeders?
Home
Hobby
Backyard
Commercial (Puppy Mills)
Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Domestic Animals Control Commission (MADACC)
Home BreedersWill generally only be breeding one dog.
May be accidental. Pet owner didn’t spay or neuter their pet(s).
Usually trying to make a quick profit
Puppies are commonly mixed, although you will see purebreds.
They aren’t concerned about temperament or physical characteristics of the dog.
These breeders usually aren’t very educated about what they bred or about dogs in general.
Advertisements will be limited.
Hobby Breeders
Breed for show or sport.
Money is not the driving force behind these breeders.
Generally take good care of their dogs.
Usually only have one breed of dog.
Commonly have just a handful of adults.
Never need to advertise.
Backyard Breeders
Individuals that breed out of their house, basement, backyard, garage, shed, etc. to try and make a profit.
Care given to these animals is usually the very minimal.
cages are small
dogs may be sitting in urine and excrement
may not be fed properly (malnourishment is common)
little to no veterinary care
genetic deformities may be common
Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Domestic Animals Control Commission (MADACC)
Backyard Breeders (cont.)
Generally live in suburban or semi-urban areas.
Will usually have multiple breeds of dogs that under 30 lbs.
They purposely breed smaller dogs because they are easier to hide from the neighbors and are easier to sell.
Will commonly have 10-30 dogs, but 150-200 is not unheard of.
Photo courtesy of Livingston County Animal Control
Backyard Breeders (cont.)
They sell to pet shops and directly to consumers through newspaper ads and the internet.
May not allow customers into their houses or where the dogs are being housed.
Will commonly meet buyers in parking lots within a few minutes of their property.
May refuse to show the parents of the puppy they are selling.
50/50 chance they will cooperate with law enforcement.
Commercial Breeders
Also known as “puppy mills.”
The driving force behind puppy mills is money. They mass produce puppies.
Puppy mills is the main source for pet stores.
Conditions in a puppy mill are generally poor, but usually better than what is found with Backyard Breeders.
small cages
dogs may be sitting in urine and feces
dogs usually are not receiving proper veterinary care
2012 Noble County Indiana
2012 New Michigan Kennel
Photo courtesy of Noble County Zoning
Commercial Breeders (cont.)
Breeding females may sit in a cage for ten or more years. In order to increase profits they are bred as often as possible.
Puppy mills may have anywhere from approximately 50 breeding females to a thousand breeding females.
Usually found in rural areas.Missouri is the “puppy mill capital of the country”
Common throughout the rest of the Midwest – Puppy Mill Belt (i.e. Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, and Oklahoma)
Rusty Wire Floor
Untreated Eye Inflamations
Photos from USDA.
Industry Changes – “The Belt”
Puppy Mill Belt
Active in commercial dog breeding
Contain some commercial dog breeders,
but show a pattern of growing concern
www.awawatchdog.com/puppybelt
2009 2013
Puppy Mill Belt
Active in commercial dog breeding
Contain between 5-11 commercial dog
breeders/dealers.
* Most all states are decreasing the number of USDA
licensed kennels except Indiana an Ohio.
Other players in the dog production industry
Brokers
Also knows as Class B dealers.
Purchase puppies from commercial breeders and sell to pet stores.
Commonly ship by trucks.
Must be licensed by the USDA and follow regulations put forth by the Federal Animal Welfare Act.
Inspection reports are public record.
May also breed.
Backyard Dealers
Similar to backyard breeders except they don’t breed, they just deal.
Usually obtain their dogs from puppy mills or backyard breeders.
Will generally only have puppies and smaller breeds. Usually no adults.
Sometimes they will act as both backyard dealers and breeders.
Hoarders
Individuals that are collecting usually dozens, sometimes hundreds of animals.
Usually collect only one species.
In need of psychiatric help.
They collect the animals because they feel they are “helping” them.
Hoarders generally are not in the business of selling their animals, therefore, the tracking tool is useless for tracking hoarders.
OVERVIEW
Backyard Breeder Ebay Tracking Tool
Introduction
Every day puppy sellers post approximately 40 free ads on Ebay (Kijiji) Classified Ads in the Detroit area. A 2012 study showed many of them were unlicensed potential backyard breeders with multiple litters and breeds.
Log ads on a daily basis before the ad is removed or expired
Classify the type of seller (home, hobby or backyard)
Identify who they are (name, address, phone).
Report any unlicensed breeders to the local authorities.
Objectives
Goals
Identify neglectful backyard breeders.
Identify all licensing violations.
Ensure all backyard breeders are known by authorities.
Ensure all backyard breeders have an animal welfare check.
Collecting the information
Time consuming.
Information needs to be collected from sources that cover a period of weeks, preferably months
Collecting information over a long period of time will show that a person is in the business of breeding. You will eliminate home breeders.
Should be collected from multiple sources
Again, this will usually eliminate home breeders.
REPORTING SUGGESTIONS
1. Gather ads from one source (i.e.Ebay) for at minimum three to six months to identify multiple litters and active sellers.
2. Divide logging up between four volunteers. Each log for an assigned week.
3. Consolidate ads into a “Reporting Tool” that stores seller profiles and kennel licenses.
4. Use pivot tables to generate reports by Animal Control areas (cities or counties).
5. Provide reports to Animal Control.
Ebay Instructions
Step-by-step instructions can be found within the MS Excel tracking workbook.
Go to worksheet “Instructions_EbayAdLog”
Instructions with ‘print screens’ can be found online.
http://michiganpuppymills.yolasite.com/tracking-backyard-breeders.php
Copy Ads from Ebay
Pasted into EbayAdLog
Example Ad – What type?Advertising Location: May 28 - Hazel Park
Price: $175
Ad Summary: Chihuahua puppy
Add Comments: Chihuahua puppy great with kids and other animals unfortunately my other dog doesn't get along with him. Working on potty training and he is doing great so far.
Phone Number As Listed: <not listed>
Posted By Name: Facebook User
Name On Ad: <not listed>
Address: Hazel Park, Mi 48030
Facebook Link: <not provided>
Email on Ad: <not listed>
Website Link: <not listed>
Offered By: Owner
Age Category: Baby
Breed Type: Chihuahua
Registered Since Date: 10/2011
Number of Puppies: 1
Save Alarming Photos
Flag Backyard Breeder
Alarming photos.
Multiple ads including multiple breeds and litters.
Advertise out side of their area or state so the buyer can not see conditions.
Advertise the popular small breeds and mix breeds as designer dogs.
Designer Dog
Teacup
Hypo Allergenic
Tiny
Teddy Bear
Parti
Ready to go
Do not use contracts.
Do not belong to a breed club.
Collect Backyard Breeder ID within 14 days
Many backyard breeders do not list a phone number.
Use Ebay’s email feature to contact breeder.
Ads expire. Collect identification within 14 days.
Collect seller name, phone number and address, if possible.
Cell phone numbers can not be linked to a name and address easily.
Try to collect address information via email correspondence with the seller.
OVERVIEW
Backyard Breeder Reporting Tool
Reporting Tool
Once ads have been collected over a period of time in the tracking tool, seller profiles can be created.
The Reporting Tool is designed for Police and Animal Control to store seller profiles and track investigations.
Seller profiles will include name, address, all phone numbers, all advertising outlets, and all breeds.
Pivot tables can be created to list all ads from one seller.
Pivot tables can be created to list all potential backyard breeders operating in a area code, city, or Animal Control jurisdiction.
Breaking down a phone number
(616) 511-1212
Area code-Prefix-Line number
Prefix can sometimes be used to give you an idea of where someone is calling from.
Prefix use to refer to the specific switch that a phone line connected to.
When computerized switches were developed, it allowed for a customer’s number to be moved to a different switch without having to change any part of the number.
Tracking phone numbers
Use reverse phone searches (i.e. Whitepages.com)
Is it connected to another phone number in an advertisement?
Landlines are usually tied to a name and address.
Try calling the phone number.
Police or animal control can help identify sellers.
Track the number to the company that owns the number and subpoena the company to
get the owner information.
Problems with tracking phone numbers
Not all phone numbers are listed.
More people than ever are using cell phones.
Prepaid or disposable cell phones.
An area code may cover a large area.
Devices like magic jack allow you to select an area code from outside of where you live.
For example, you may live in the 920 area code, but with magic jack you can select the 414 area code.
Website Number (Cell): 248-249-3544
TBD Phone Number: 248-601-0585
Magic Jack Number: 586-329-6316
Cabin in Forestville: 989-864-3075
Craigslist Number: 616-824-7614
Aliases:Joseph Waquinto
Joseph Iaquinto
Kevin Lockridge
Joe Guido
Robert Kramer
James Barton
Joe Laquinto
Kevin Kill (vanity name in email)
Bill Johnson (Feb 21 call to Lin Gregory)
Anthony
Analyzing the Information
RED FLAGS
Phone numbers pops up numerous times over the course of a few months (multiple litters)
Phone number pops up for multiple breeds. HUGE RED FLAG
Multiple phone numbers used in AD
Phone number prefix is Out Of State
Phone number Prefix does not match advertising area.
Advertising in multiple locations
Using multiple Ebay accounts
Multiple listings with different names (aliases)
Designer/Teacups/HypoAllerg/ExtremeBully/Tiny/TeddyBears/Parti
Selling a long time (Registered Over 2 Years)
How to file complaints First check with Animal Control:
1. Are the dogs individually licensed (min requirement)?
How many?
If not, file compliant.
2. Is there a county kennel license?
Some breeders choose to have a county kennel license instead of individual tags.
If so, how many dogs?
3. Ask for animal welfare check if photos are disturbing.
Check with the City or Township:
1. Is a Special Use Permit or deviation required?
2. Is there a limit on the number of dogs?
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Meeting in the parking lot
Need license plate number.
Make & Model of car.
Can undercover officer follow car?
Breeders or dealers who deal in parking lots will generally live within a mile of where they are meeting.
Is the Breeder acting suspiciously?
Will the breeder show you the parents of the puppy?
Will they invite you into the house?
Meeting in a parking lot should set off RED FLAG.
Are there video camera’s monitoring the front door?
The owner has been identified. Now what?
Is the owner in your jurisdiction?
Is the owner a person or a store?If it’s a store, pet store laws apply.
Has the owner been investigated before?
How do you want to start the investigation?
Go undercover as a buyer
Inform owner a complaint has been made about them
Inform owner you are aware they are selling dogs
Investigating the Breeder/Dealer
If you are entering private property without the owner’s permission, you will probably need a search warrant.
House
Garage
Shed
Backyard
Etc.
Investigating the Breeder/Dealer (cont.)
Do they have clean fresh water?
Do they have fresh food?
Are the animals in good physical shape?
Are they severely matted?
Is their fur yellow?
Are their any physical deformities?
Questions???
REFERENCE
Know the Laws
Michigan Laws Related to Dog Kennels
Type Required? Inspections Laws
USDA Licensing
When gross sales are over $500
per year and selling “wholesale”.
A person with 3 or less breeding
females is exempt. Internet
sellers are currently exempt.
Annual Animal Welfare Act
County Kennel
Licensing
<Not Required> Annual, if county has resources. Dog Law of 1919, Act 339 of
1919,287.270, “Kennel” defined;
kennel license; fee; tags; certificate;
rules; inspection; exception, Sec. 10.
MDARD Regulation 129 – Dog Kennels.
Some counties have their own dog
kennel ordinances.
Township/City
Permits and Licenses
Varies. Special Use Permits are
often required for land use
purposes per Zoning Districts.
Urban townships often have more
strict requirements and adequate
enforcement. Rural area areas are
usually complaint driven.
Varies. Often do not include animal
care standards. Land use only. Initial
inspections and renewals.
Varies depending on local ordinances.
Often do not include animal care
standards, but they can set limits on
the number of dogs for noise and land
impact reasons: fencing for noise
reduction, minimum feet from road,
adequate sanitation removal, and
building requirements.
Individual Licensing
Required for any dog 6 months
old or over.
<Not Required> Dog Law of 1919, Act 339 of 1919,
MCL 287.262,Dogs; licensing, tags,
leashes, Sec. 2
Federal Law
Animal Welfare Act-regulates the sale of domesticated species.
Commercial Breeders
Backyard Breeders
Brokers
Bunchers
Pet Stores
Federal Animal Welfare Act does not currently regulate dogs and cats sold over the internet.
Federal Law
Animal Welfare Act covers:
Water
Food
Veterinary care
Training/exercise
Space/Proper shelter from the elements
# of employees
Cleanliness of the cages
Transportation requirements
Federal Law
Licenses
Class A-Covers those who only breed and raise animals on that individual’s premises
Class B-In addition to what’s allowed from Class A, these individuals can negotiate, purchase, resell, or transport regulated animals that aren’t bred on his or her property.
State LawsMany states have their own laws
Wisconsin Act 90
Requires licensing and inspection for dog breeders and other businesses that sell dogs or offer dogs for adoption (including animal shelters)
Sets food and watering requirements, space requirements, exercise requirements, health and veterinary care requirements, etc.
Pennsylvania Act 119
State laws generally require more space and have stricter exercise requirements than the Federal Animal Welfare Act.
The Puppy Protection Act
Senate Bills 117/118 Sponsors Steven Bieda - (primary), Rick Jones, Michael Kowall, Glenn Anderson, John Proos, John Pappageorge, James Marleau
Provide guidelines for housing, sanitary conditions, enclosure space, exercise, and veterinary care of dogs.
Upper limit of intact breeding dogs = 50
Launched by Michigan Humane Society
Supported by the Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers, Puppy Mill Awareness, and the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association
Will protect dogs in large-scale breeding
facilities (15 or more intact females).
2012 Allegan Breeder
with 350+ dogs
Local Laws
City of ChattanoogaSections 7-33 and 7-34
7-34d states “Facilities of any of the above permit applicants and registered rescue organizations will be subject to inspection by Animal Service Officers for compliance with this chapter’s and the permit’s minimum standards.”
7-34f states “Any advertisements for the sale, bartering or adoption of animals covered by these permits shall state the breeder or pet dealer permit number, if applicable, in such advertisement. Violations of this requirement shall be subject to a fine of $50.00 per occurrence.”
More TrainingEbay Tracking Tool
Step-by-step Instructions
Monday, July 29th 6:30 p.m.
Puppy Mill Awareness HQ
Clarkston, Mi
Next WebinarLaunching Pet Store Campaigns, Petitions
and Protesting
Tuesday, July 23rd 6:30 p.m.
Saturday July 27th 8:30 a.m.
2 hour + 30 min Q&A
The purpose of this webinar is to train animal advocates how to
launch pet store campaigns, leverage online petitions, and hold
effective protests. Launching a pet store campaign involves
researching the stores suppliers, gathering inspection reports, filing
complaints and educating the public. Launching an online petition
using Change.org can find local supporters and gain media attention.
Protesting is usually a last resort, but can be a very effective way to reach the stores customers and gain media attention.
More Webinars
Filing Animal Neglect Complaints – Understanding the Laws in MichiganTuesday, August 6th 6:30 p.m.
Saturday August 10th 8:30 a.m.
1 hr + 30 min Q&A
A Rescues Code of Ethics – Ending the CycleTuesday, September 10th, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday September 14th 8:30 a.m.
1 hr + 1 hr Q&A
The Puppy Friendly Pet Store (HSUS) and Mall ProjectTuesday, October 8th, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday October 12th 14th 8:30 a.m.
1 hr + 30 min Q&A