Rescuers Highlight Puppy Mill Problem

WRCB TV Channel 3 Eyewitness News Chattanooga TN Reported by, Matt Johnson
http://www.wrcbtv.com/news/index.cfm?sid=928

This is a story about a dog that had been abused and abandonded by some owner who if found should be arrested.

It is nice to see a Vet who is caring enough about the animals to provide service for it, although who is being paid for the care is unclear.

The story quickly decends into speculation and finger pointing as to how the animal arrived in such poor condition:

-> Rescuers are almost certain Tia is one of dozens of victims of backyard breeding.
(This is a typical mis direction away from the issue at hand. This animal had been abandoned on the street and the owner is no where to be found)

"Purchasing those cheap, not registered, not high quality dogs probably put her in the position she's in," the doctor said.
(Embellishing the story with facts that are totally unfounded, lends one to be mad at a unknown "evil breeder". In addition she says the dog is a "cheap dog and un-registered and not high quality" How can she possibly know this... makes for good reading though.

"People breed pups for profit, ignoring the mother's care. "It is sad, but it's a reality and people need to know that this goes on,"
(This again if far removed from the subject "the rescued abandoned puppy)
A statement like this going unchallenged is simply wrong. (People do raise dogs and hopefully they do make enough money to cover their expenses, but to state they raise puppies and ignore the mothers care is absurd and is unfounded, remember we do not know where this dog came from, It could have been a stray living on the streets and had puppies on its own with Bud the local feral stud dog and had complications.. To start casting blame and pointing fingers at unknown people who may or may not be involved with raising dogs is totally unfounded and poor reporting.

If you have any information on Tia's owner or suspect a backyard breeding operation in your neighborhood, call animal services or police right away.

What's this about? If you suspect a backyard breeding operation call animal services or the police nonetheless?

They want you to think it is somehow against the law to allow your dog to have puppies and you should turn in your neighbors for suspected puppy birthing.

This our first story to review is a great example of how the press will lead the reader to a totally non related subject.

The subject is a story of an animal being abandoned and having a bad life and as a result of her conditions has developed several serious health issues. It speaks towards the good Vet who is trying to save the puppies life, and we should be commending her for her efforts. It also tells us about a person who provides rescue when called upon for dogs another good deed.

The story fail to identify the real problem and that is animal abandonment but it does touch on neglect, but casts the readers focus on a unknown breeder and therefore all people who breed dogs are bad. Just read the comments and you will see the reactions from the public.. "Let's go get the Breeders!"

Solution to the problem mandatory microchip in all animals to identify ownership. Have the enforcement people do their job, by prosecuting bad owners who abandon or abuse their animals.