Withdraw Future Sponsorship of American Kennel Club Events until AKC Implements Reforms to Protect Health and Welfare of AKC Dogs
The Issue
The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, one of the most prestigious dog shows in the country, will be held December 13, 14, 2014, in Orlando, Florida. We are challenging Eukanuba to withdraw its sponsorship from future American Kennel Club (AKC) events until such time as reforms are implemented within the AKC inspection process to protect the health and welfare of dogs.
In October 2014, the operators of Bleu Moon Cattle Dogs, designated as an AKC Breeder of Merit, were arrested and charged with 249 counts of animal neglect including animal cruelty after more than 70 dogs, the majority of which were Australian Cattle Dogs were seized from horrific conditions. The couple recently pled guilty to the County animal cruelty charges and awaits a court date on the remaining City charges. An AKC inspector inspected and passed one of the breeder’s facilities days before the authorities would seize the dogs. Eukanuba’s mission statement is to “make a positive difference in their (dogs) lives so they can be their best.” We believe that Eukanuba’s sponsorship of AKC events, under its current policies and practices, is counter to that mission statement.
This was not the first time this breeder was reported to the AKC regarding welfare of their animals and yet, they passed inspection again and again. Most recently, on September 28th, the AKC received a complaint regarding condition of dogs being kept at the property occupied by Bleu Moon Cattle Dogs. The AKC inspector visited the reported property two days later but miraculously found the property abandoned; the condition of the property can be seen in this video. Despite the fact there was an active complaint regarding that property the inspector did not investigate the property fully. Instead, the AKC Inspector rescheduled with the breeder for the following morning at a different property than the AKC Inspector had previously inspected and complied with the owner’s request to not disclose their address. Yet, this raised no red flags. During that inspection, the inspector failed to do a complete review of all dogs present. Though the AKC inspector saw the poor physical condition of the dogs, he chose to give a passing inspection report.
The AKC’s statement on the matter suggests that the facility was clean and that the dogs were in good condition on the date of its inspection on October 2, 2014. The AKC statement allows the reader to infer that the dogs became sick over the course of the eight-day period from the date of the inspection to the date that they were seized. This completely disregards evidence from veterinary examinations and the overall condition of the dogs seized. This was not a tragedy that occurred over an eight day period. This was a longstanding case of neglect and failure to provide the most basic veterinary care and nutrition for these dogs; one of the dogs seized died as a result of its maltreatment. Others were heartworm positive, had badly damaged ears, parasites, tumors, untreated broken bones and old wounds. The charges against the operators of Bleu Moon, suggest even the most basic vaccines, including rabies, were not administered to these dogs.
The AKC statement on Bleu Moon attempts to gloss over its own inspection inadequacies by pointing to the presence of an unnamed local police officer, at the time of the inspection. We believe that the statement paints an inaccurate portrait of the events and facts of this case. The Pearl River officer pursued an investigation that resulted in a warrant being drawn up on October 7, 2014 based on the condition of the dogs that were seen in the October 2, 2014 inspection with the AKC Inspector. The operators of Bleu Moon were arrested on October 10, 2014 and would later plead guilty to animal cruelty charges. Had it not been for the actions of the officers with the Picayune police department and Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, this breeder would still be in business fully compliant with the AKC, having passed their AKC inspection.
We hold the AKC’s actions and response to the Bleu Moon Cattle Dog rescue insufficient and disgraceful. The AKC’s failure to thoroughly review this matter, including its own policies, is an outrage and injustice to the suffering of the dogs that were seized. Furthermore, it is a disservice to the many owners of Bleu Moon Cattle Dogs who received sick animals often requiring expensive veterinary care having had the cost of basic care passed along to them without their knowledge after paying a premium for an AKC Registered animal sold with a health guarantee from an AKC Breeder of Merit.
The name and brand of Eukanuba are inspired by a movement in jazz - the name a reflection of something that is “supreme” or at the pinnacle of a movement. The current policies and practices of the AKC are subpar and threaten the health and welfare of dogs under its current system of governance. Eukanuba should not endorse or financially support an inferior system that fails dogs and fails consumers.
Background and Additional Reading:
Bleu Moon Rescued Website:
http://bleumooncattledogsrescued.com/
Cattle Dog Strong Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP8oJfkNgAU
Articles on Bleu Moon Dog Seizure:
The Dog Press: http://www.thedogpress.com/Editorials/AKC-Inspected-Cattle-Dog-Debacle_Andrews-1410.asp
WLOX 13: http://www.wlox.com/story/26777300/pearl-river-co-couple-face-249-charges-of-animal-neglect-cruelty
The Clarion-Ledger: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/10/13/couple-charged-counts-animal-cruelty-dogs-confiscated/17205415/
And unfortunately, this is not the first AKC breeder, nor even Breeder of Merit, to be faced with charges involving a large number of dogs in such horrific conditions.
“Safety Concerns Stoke Criticism of Kennel Club,” New York Times, February 9, 2013
“Authorities Seize 82 Dogs, Breeder Charged with Animal Neglect,” The Review, November 22, 2014
http://www.reviewonline.com/page/content.detail/id/580685.html
Today Show, "AKC Failing to Protect Dogs?" May 1, 2013
The Issue
The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, one of the most prestigious dog shows in the country, will be held December 13, 14, 2014, in Orlando, Florida. We are challenging Eukanuba to withdraw its sponsorship from future American Kennel Club (AKC) events until such time as reforms are implemented within the AKC inspection process to protect the health and welfare of dogs.
In October 2014, the operators of Bleu Moon Cattle Dogs, designated as an AKC Breeder of Merit, were arrested and charged with 249 counts of animal neglect including animal cruelty after more than 70 dogs, the majority of which were Australian Cattle Dogs were seized from horrific conditions. The couple recently pled guilty to the County animal cruelty charges and awaits a court date on the remaining City charges. An AKC inspector inspected and passed one of the breeder’s facilities days before the authorities would seize the dogs. Eukanuba’s mission statement is to “make a positive difference in their (dogs) lives so they can be their best.” We believe that Eukanuba’s sponsorship of AKC events, under its current policies and practices, is counter to that mission statement.
This was not the first time this breeder was reported to the AKC regarding welfare of their animals and yet, they passed inspection again and again. Most recently, on September 28th, the AKC received a complaint regarding condition of dogs being kept at the property occupied by Bleu Moon Cattle Dogs. The AKC inspector visited the reported property two days later but miraculously found the property abandoned; the condition of the property can be seen in this video. Despite the fact there was an active complaint regarding that property the inspector did not investigate the property fully. Instead, the AKC Inspector rescheduled with the breeder for the following morning at a different property than the AKC Inspector had previously inspected and complied with the owner’s request to not disclose their address. Yet, this raised no red flags. During that inspection, the inspector failed to do a complete review of all dogs present. Though the AKC inspector saw the poor physical condition of the dogs, he chose to give a passing inspection report.
The AKC’s statement on the matter suggests that the facility was clean and that the dogs were in good condition on the date of its inspection on October 2, 2014. The AKC statement allows the reader to infer that the dogs became sick over the course of the eight-day period from the date of the inspection to the date that they were seized. This completely disregards evidence from veterinary examinations and the overall condition of the dogs seized. This was not a tragedy that occurred over an eight day period. This was a longstanding case of neglect and failure to provide the most basic veterinary care and nutrition for these dogs; one of the dogs seized died as a result of its maltreatment. Others were heartworm positive, had badly damaged ears, parasites, tumors, untreated broken bones and old wounds. The charges against the operators of Bleu Moon, suggest even the most basic vaccines, including rabies, were not administered to these dogs.
The AKC statement on Bleu Moon attempts to gloss over its own inspection inadequacies by pointing to the presence of an unnamed local police officer, at the time of the inspection. We believe that the statement paints an inaccurate portrait of the events and facts of this case. The Pearl River officer pursued an investigation that resulted in a warrant being drawn up on October 7, 2014 based on the condition of the dogs that were seen in the October 2, 2014 inspection with the AKC Inspector. The operators of Bleu Moon were arrested on October 10, 2014 and would later plead guilty to animal cruelty charges. Had it not been for the actions of the officers with the Picayune police department and Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, this breeder would still be in business fully compliant with the AKC, having passed their AKC inspection.
We hold the AKC’s actions and response to the Bleu Moon Cattle Dog rescue insufficient and disgraceful. The AKC’s failure to thoroughly review this matter, including its own policies, is an outrage and injustice to the suffering of the dogs that were seized. Furthermore, it is a disservice to the many owners of Bleu Moon Cattle Dogs who received sick animals often requiring expensive veterinary care having had the cost of basic care passed along to them without their knowledge after paying a premium for an AKC Registered animal sold with a health guarantee from an AKC Breeder of Merit.
The name and brand of Eukanuba are inspired by a movement in jazz - the name a reflection of something that is “supreme” or at the pinnacle of a movement. The current policies and practices of the AKC are subpar and threaten the health and welfare of dogs under its current system of governance. Eukanuba should not endorse or financially support an inferior system that fails dogs and fails consumers.
Background and Additional Reading:
Bleu Moon Rescued Website:
http://bleumooncattledogsrescued.com/
Cattle Dog Strong Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP8oJfkNgAU
Articles on Bleu Moon Dog Seizure:
The Dog Press: http://www.thedogpress.com/Editorials/AKC-Inspected-Cattle-Dog-Debacle_Andrews-1410.asp
WLOX 13: http://www.wlox.com/story/26777300/pearl-river-co-couple-face-249-charges-of-animal-neglect-cruelty
The Clarion-Ledger: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/10/13/couple-charged-counts-animal-cruelty-dogs-confiscated/17205415/
And unfortunately, this is not the first AKC breeder, nor even Breeder of Merit, to be faced with charges involving a large number of dogs in such horrific conditions.
“Safety Concerns Stoke Criticism of Kennel Club,” New York Times, February 9, 2013
“Authorities Seize 82 Dogs, Breeder Charged with Animal Neglect,” The Review, November 22, 2014
http://www.reviewonline.com/page/content.detail/id/580685.html
Today Show, "AKC Failing to Protect Dogs?" May 1, 2013
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Petition created on December 10, 2014