Boston Terrier Breeders In Va

Officials: Lack of laws thwarted action sooner on Mason Creek Kennels

Caldwell County officials said Friday they were aware of worsening conditions at a now-closed kennel but were thwarted from acting by laws that don't address minimum standards for commercial breeders.

On Thursday, animal control officers raided Mason Creek Kennels, where they seized 276 dogs, mostly smaller breeds, including some with serious ailments and infections and living in small, feces-encrusted cages.

By Friday, the county shelter was flooded by calls from people who want to help or adopt the rescued dogs.

Greg Greene, Caldwell County's animal control director, said officers had gone to the kennel several times in recent years and had asked the owner, William "Bill" Thomas Allen, to make changes.

"He used to do a real good job and had a nice facility," Greene said of the kennel on Free Mason Road in Hudson, about 70 miles northwest of Charlotte.

Initially, Allen complied, Greene said, but over the past two years, the standard of care for the animals had declined steadily.

But it wasn't until this week that investigators felt they had legal justification to seize the animals from the kennel, where they found dogs kept in dirty kennels or small, stacked cages. Now, Allen will face charges of animal neglect and cruelty - both misdemeanors.

"There are no laws on the books about puppy mills," Greene said. "We have to wait until they fit the criteria for neglect and cruelty."

It's unclear how many of the nation's 10,000 commercial dog breeders would qualify as puppy mills, said Kim Alboum, the N.C. director of the Humane Society of the United States, which assisted in the rescue of the dogs.

Another group, In Defense of Animals, said a few Midwestern states are home to the nation's largest concentration of puppy mills.

But commercial breeders aren't regulated unless they sell to pet stores or research labs, Alboum said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates those types of breeders. But unless states pass more stringent laws, there are no minimum standards for commercial breeders who sell directly to the public.

Alboum said N.C. animal advocates have been pushing for three years for a state law to set breeder requirements for veterinary care, housing and exercise. The bill stalled in the General Assembly after some lawmakers said it was too divisive. Among the opponents was the N.C. Pork Council, which represents the multibillion-dollar pork industry and feared influence from the Humane Society.

Hi! - Boston Terrier Forums

I just wanted to say " Howdy" I'm new here and am looking to get a Boston puppy soon... I hoping someone may know of any breeders here in the n. virginia area. I dont seem to be able to find any online for a reasonable price.. I'd like to stay in the $500 range give or take. Ive done my reserch and am sure this is the perfect breed match for my and my boyfriend Also, we're going home to the orlando area on mid july to visit family and friends, so breeders in tht area would be great as well! Thanks in advance for any help provided You want to be sure you are dealing with a responsible breeder who breeds these dogs to make the very best BT possible, not someone who happens to have a 'purebred' and whose friend also has a 'purebred' and they decided it would be fun to have a litter. With that set up, you won't get any help once you have the pup (you will find those in the paper with a small price tag). A responsible breeder with always be there for any pup they produce--important if you have any questions or problems. They will care about who you are and will ask you questions. Most of all, they will not allow any dog they produce to end up in a shelter! I'm all about good breeders continuing the work of making this breed wonderful, and am always glad to help people see that a good breeder is worth their weight in gold. Mine still is in our lives--she takes all three for me any time I want to go out of town. She always helps if I need any input and is actually a friend on Facebook--we met when i got my first BT through her. I now have 3 of hers! One way you can keep costs down is to think about adopting an adult from a reputable breeder. I got Truman's mom that way. She had had one litter and was retired. Came fully trained and is a total joy to have around (She was $500 and spayed). She's 4 (been mine for almost 2 years). Another person here got a one year old show prospect who simply didn't have the temperament to be in the show ring. I believe she paid what you are looking to pay. Again, the dog was fully trained and a delight to her family as well. No behavior problems or any worries a regular person may have with a rescue. Dogs gotten this way are often young enough to have a full life ahead of them without the pitfalls of puppyhood. Puppies are cute, but just read about the problems people have here with them--is that something you want? I'm a very seasoned dog owner and probably won't ever get a puppy again.

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