ASPCA Helps Get Animal Cruelty Conviction at Puppy Mill
I must applaud the ASPCA's tireless work in regard to exposing the deplorable conditions of puppy and kitten mills around the country. Late last week, I learned about a victory toward that end, which was won through the efforts of Dr. Melinda Merck, the ASPCA Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics. In March, 2009, the conviction that she helped obtain, by her testimony at the trial of Kathy Bauck, the operator of Pick of the Litter Kennels in New York Mills, Minnesota.
This breeder not only sells animals to pet stores, but also on the Internet and has housed, on the property up to 1,300 dogs of at least 32 different breeds. This breeder was first arrested in August 2008, charged with an array of counts of torture, animal cruelty and also practicing veterinary medicine without a license. However, on March 24, her four and a half day trial which included six hours of jury deliberation, she was cleared of all felony charges, but was found guilty of four misdemeanors; one count of animal cruelty and three counts of animal torture.
It is this writer's opinion, however, that the punishment may not fit the "crimes". While the ASPCA and other animal welfare groups work diligently to stop these abuses, I strongly feel that individuals sitting on juries in cases like the one cited above, need to take stronger action in order to support the groups who are so motivated and dedicated in their attempt to end these inhumane acts toward innocent animals.
Jason Smith, a free-lance animal cruelty investigator started working at Pick of the Litter in early 2008, in order to collect evidence against Ms. Bauck. He provided the Otter Tail County Sheriff's detectives with videos and his personal testimony of the alleged abuse occurring at the facility. Included in the footage of the videos were starving and injured dogs and showed Ms Bauck dipping dogs into vats containing insecticide. Dr. Merck was contacted by the veterinarian working with the prosecution about a month before the trial was scheduled. She said, "I was asked by the prosecutor to review all the video and case files and provide expert opinion."
Since Pick of the Litter had a history of complaints and citations dating back to a 2006 cease-and-desist order from the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine in response to learning that Ms.Bauck was performing surgery on her animals without a license, both the facility and Ms.Bauck were no strangers to the ASPCA investigators.
Bob Baker, ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Initiatives Investigator said, "Kathy Bauck has been a chronic problem. I visited her facility in 1998 and reported her to the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act--but as far as I know, there was no follow-up on the part of USDA." One has to wonder why there was no follow up action at that time.
On Friday, May 1, after her sentencing hearing, Ms. Bauck was given 90 days in jail, 20 of which are to be served immediately. Only if she violates her probation, will she have to serve the other 70 days. Additionally, she was also sentenced to 80 hours of community service by the officiating judge, who added that she must allow unscheduled inspection visits in all areas of her facility if she plans to continue her participation in the operations of the kennel.
What is it going to take to once-and- for- all shut down such a facility that demonstrates incompetence and lack of concern for their animals? I just don't understand this at all.
What are your thoughts about puppy and kitten mills? Do you feel that these facilities should be banned from doing business? Leave a comment and share your opinions.
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Comments (8)
Vicki May 14, 2009 2:49 PM
Mrs. Bauck got a slap on the hand. If I had been the prosecutor, she would have faced felony charges. And any other person found practicing these horrrible conditions would face the same. Stricter laws need to be put into place concerning puppy and kitty mills. I jusst don't understand how they let them get away with such a small punishment.
Diana May 14, 2009 3:33 PM
She did have felony charges, Vicki. They were dismissed by the jury. If I'd been on the jury the felony charges would have either stood or there would have been a hung jury. I would not have backed down to appease someone else on the jury.
Jaime Smith May 14, 2009 3:33 PM
This is ridiculous. This woman got NO punishment for these terrible crimes. What the HELL was that jury thinking? With people like that in the world, it makes me scared. If there are people who can witness those kinds of acts and then let her off scott-free, I fear for the safety of all animals in that state. This is a sad story indeed and that woman will just pick up and start all over. THE USDA IS A JOKE. They don't do a damn thing and most people know it. They have no manpower and they don't give a crap about the AWA.
Just my 2 cents.
Amy May 14, 2009 4:57 PM
In my humble opinion this woman should be made to live in the conditions the dogs lived in for at least those 90 days.
Ruth May 15, 2009 3:12 AM
How I agree with Amy !! The Bible 'an eye for an eye' should be brought back, maybe if people had to face the same treatment they'd inflicted, they'd stop and think a bit.
Jessy May 15, 2009 8:58 AM
I agree with amy tha this person should be made to live in the kind of life she gave to her dogs.. we are in the year 2000 and there are people out that that just have to crawl on their bellys to be the skum of the earth to do this to any animal for what??? MONEY??? it just makes me sick to think i live in this world that there are people that do this...
Patrick September 4, 2009 12:12 AM
I wonder how she would feel being dipped into a vat of insecticide? Have you seen the videos on Youtube?
Fuzzette's Mom October 28, 2009 7:21 PM
I cannot believe a jury could let a puppy or kitten miller off with barely a slap on the wrist. Is this jury made up of "millers for profit itself?? If so shame on these jurors. If this is the case, I fear for the fait of my cat should I be faced with a situation where I could no longer care for her. I hope she does not fall into the hands of one of these horrible monsters.
Fuzzette's Mom.
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