Radha, You ask some very good questions, and I'd have to do a great deal of research in order to give you specifics. But I'll try to cover most of them with the general information that I've followed over the years.
Lancaster is unique because it has a group of people that are protected for several reasons. First, they bring in major tourist dollars to the region. Their way of life and farming style make it an attraction, add a few amusement parks and some large shopping opportunities, and the tourist dollars come rolling in. But the farming life of the Amish and Mennonites are protected by their representatives at the state level, and by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Time and again, legislation at the state level that would have allowed improvement of the conditions in the mills has been blocked by the Lancaster County elected officials. The mills are often seen as simply one other crop and source of income for the farmers. It is estimated that there are over 200 mill operations in Lancaster County. It's difficult to put an exact figure on it, because of the mill has only 26 dogs or less, they don't need a state license to operate. I've heard of mills that had only 26 dogs being shut down, and the rescue efforts removed over 60 dogs from the facility. Was he listed as a mill anywhere? I couldn't say. Did he have a USDA license? I also couldn't say, but I would doubt it. There have been some reports that the mill owners learned early that if they don't have a USDA license, they don't get investigated. And since many of them sell directly to the Philadelphia buying public for cash only, well, who is going to find out they have a large breeding operation? There are a number of issues involved here. I live in the county directly east of Lancaster, Chester County. I can drive less than 20 miles to at least 4 different pet shops that sell berner puppies. All of those puppies came from Lancaster County. Almost any Sunday, I can find Berner puppies for sale in the paper. The numbers listed are almost always a 717 area code - Lancaster County. Funny thing too, you call and have to leave a message. The Amish don't have phones, so they use their non-Amish neighbors as an answering service. Makes it even harder to track down exactly who is doing the breeding. As for the Specialty, we did get word this morning that the site will not be in Lancaster - which is terrific news! But I welcome any opportunity to try to bring the situation in Lancaster more into the public eye. For those of you who were willing to refuse to attend a specialty held in Lancaster, I'm trying to get some details on where we can write to tell the elected officials in Pennsylvania about that. It would also be nice to let the Lancaster County Tourist bureau know the same information. That until the regulations that already exist in the Animal Welfare Act are more rigorously enforced in Lancaster County, I most certainly won't be spending my tourist dollars in that county. I wrote to them two years ago, and I need to find the information for people to write back in today. Economic pressure does help to effect changes! Hearts United for Animals is the organization that has been doing the most in this area to bring about change, they are the ones that hold the walk in Harrisburg each year, it's been mentioned on the Berner-L before, and I'm sure it will be again. And if you have any ideas that can be used to help improve conditions of breeding dogs in Lancaster County, I do welcome them!! Pat Long (& Luther and a babysat Sam) Berwyn PA
