by BETTER FARMING STAFF
A “dog rescuer” who claims responsibility for alerting the Ontario SPCA and local township authorities attention to a farm kennel in Perth East township, says Amish have no place in the dog breeding business.
Kimberley Thomas, who operates Kismutt Small Dog Rescue in Oxford County, says kennel operators who don’t have heat, electricity and running water in their facilities can’t keep them sanitary as required by the Canadian Kennel Code. “They do not have the means to properly run a kennel,” Thomas said outside the chambers of Perth East Council in Milverton in Western Ontario, on Tuesday evening.
At issue is Perth East’s withdrawal of a license to run a kennel in the Mornington ward. Menno and Viola Streicher, an Amish couple, had hoped council would reverse an earlier decision to withdraw their permit to operate a dog kennel. That’s not what happened at Tuesday night’s council meeting, even though roughly 50 supporters filled the council chambers, and Cindy Moyer, president of the Huron-Perth Landowners Association, spoke on the Streichers’ behalf.
The Streichers have run a municipally licensed kennel since 2009, after Menno Streicher had a heart attack. The operators, and Moyer, claim that recently the township’s standards changed. Thomas counters that the standards were not properly enforced previously.
Thomas says that for more than 10 years she has purchased “culls” and injured dogs from facilities that were unheated and unsanitary. She says these kennels typically have rough concrete floors that can’t be properly sanitized. “There are no drains in any of these barns and the bylaw says there has to be drains.”
She denies being part of any animal rights group, insisting “I am not an animal activist.”
Thomas said she faces far stricter standards herself with her dog rescue facility. Thomas says she alerted the municipality and the Ontario SPCA to the situation. ‘I have been in every one of these barns in 11 years,” Thomas says. “They call me to pick up their unwanted cull dogs. . . . I go in the barns to pick up the dogs. So I see the conditions.”
“The Amish have been far too long getting away with it.”
Viola Streicher says Thomas has never been in their kennel, to her knowledge, nor have the Streichers sold a dog to Thomas.
The township plans to go ahead and remove the Streichers’ dogs on Thursday. The Streichers had been given a month to dispose of their 30 breeding dogs. They said they hired Ottawa lawyer, Terrence Green, who has written a letter to the municipality. The Streichers stress they are not suing the township; the municipality has been warned that it will be responsible for taking care of the dogs if they are seized.
Thomas says she also has a lawyer who has written a warning letter to nearby Wellesley Township in Waterloo Region.
“We did everything they told us to. It wasn’t good enough I guess. It was for a few years,” Viola says.
“We don’t want to fight. We just want our rights to keep our dogs,” Viola says. “We love them.”
According to a report prepared for Council on Sept. 4, the township has about 20 licensed kennels and “many . . . do not have electricity, heat or hydro due to their cultural beliefs and heritage.
However, these kennels have chosen alternate sources of energy to compensate for the lack of ‘modern’ technology,” including wood fueled furnaces or thermal/radiant heat from livestock housed below. The Streichers’ dog kennel is over a hog barn.
The Streichers want to keep the dogs at least until charges brought against them by the Ontario SPCA are dealt with. The couple is to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford on Jan. 13 to answer to nine charges each. The couple face charges that among other things, they caused an animal to be in distress, and that they failed to provide sanitary conditions and adequate light and ventilation. Viola Streicher says two dogs had been injured while fighting but were under veterinary care.
“Kennels are required to provide an ample amount of natural light for the animals, which must be approved by either the By-Law Enforcement officer and/or an OSPCA agent,” says the municipality’s Sept. 4 report.
In a statement read during the Tuesday evening meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Glenn Schwendinger said the rescinding of the township’s permit to run a kennel granted to the Streichers had nothing to do with the charges that were laid by the Ontario SPCA.
“The Amish way of life and culture is not being discriminated against,” Thomas insists.
“They gave us a license. We had the same license ever since, the same ventilation ever since,” Viola Streicher says. Other kennel operators “are very afraid.” BF
Comments
There is more than ample evidence of these breeding facilities. This is why they were finally paid a surprise visit - and failed inspection.
However this matter seems even more simple and straightforward to me - codes exist as a bare minimum standard. If these breeders cannot meet those minimum standards then yes, they should have their license revoked until they can meet all requirements, the same as everyone else.
This is not a cultural or personal attack on the Amish. Kimberly hasn't laid the charges against the couple or forced the removal of these dogs. She has put pressure on the authorities to uphold existing laws and to no longer give notice of an upcoming inspection. I don't think Kimberly is out of line asking that all kennels are treated equal in the eyes of the law.
This is not a "head scratcher". When it comes to animal welfare, no one is immune under Canadian law. Plain and simple. And, to consider breeding dogs and their puppies as farm animals ("livestock") is really quite absurd. I would think that most Canadians with pets would not think about their companion animals in this light. This fight is not against a certain group of people (although some people are trying to muddy the waters with that argument). This is a fight for humane treatment of animals and the following of township bylaw. Really, it’s not rocket science.
dogs are not livestock, pretty sure I'm not in violation of my town's by-law by having a dog in a residential zone...cows however, different story, almost positive I'm not allowed to have a pet cow in Oakville. Cow = livestock, Dog = not livestock
Laws and bi-laws are there for a reason... To protect people and animals, and to assure that everyone understands the boundaries that they can operate within them. These dogs and many like them are not treated the way the majority of the voting public have agreed on. it is about time attention is made to their plight and the owners are made accountable for their actions. Most people support the humane treatment of animals and this situation does not seem to go along with that. The Township is right in doing what they had to do. Kudos to them for doing the right thing.
I as a canine companion and from a farming community...I dont think that many of my farming friends really would say that dogs are livestock...If you google livestock its say to produce commodities food,fiber or labor animals...I really dont think that canines fit into this....
I did Google Labor and working dogs and it says labor means work and that's exactly why people have owned and bred horses, oxen, camels, donkeys, elephants and even CANINES/DOGS for centuries.
I own a truck to bring the carcass home after I shoot an animal. I own a dog to find the animal so I can shoot it. If the animal happens to be a duck the dog can swim out and get the duck and that might save me the expense of owning a boat and motor. If the dog entertains the family that's a bonus. Horses both work and entertain people. Like pigs we eat them and they entertain us too. Cats entertain us but have always been food for other cultures.
Dogs have been serving man's needs long before there were trucks or boats and motors. A dog is an animal. To some people it might be a substitute for a son, daughter, or friend but until scientists put human genes in dogs they are still animals.
While you are Googling be sure to check the status of dogs as meat animals. You'll find dogs are considered meat in a couple of dozen countries including Canada.
Yes that's right according to Google dogs are actually meat animals in Canada.
" In 2003, health inspectors discovered four frozen canine carcasses in the freezer of a Chinese restaurant in Edmonton[20] which, in the end, were found to be coyotes. The Edmonton health inspector said that it is not illegal to sell and eat the meat of dogs and other canines, as long as the meat has been inspected.[21] Under Canada's Wildlife Act, it is illegal to sell meat from any wild species, but there is no law against selling and serving canine meat, including dogs, if it is killed and gutted in front of federal inspectors."
After reading this story I think producers of other meat animals should be very afraid.
You saying no more piglet mills, lamb mills, calf mills and goat (couldn't bring myself to say kid) mills?
The only meat we're going to have left to eat will be from fish mills-- at least until they get banned by people who mistakenly think there are enough wild fish to supply the world.
Because we're less than 2% of the population, we have to be prepared for what appears to be "micro-managing" the way we farm. We farmers are doing no good to try to persuade people that we're doing things humanely, when, in their minds, the other 98% simply doesn't believe us, and never will. Farm animal councils, for example, are largely a waste of time and money which could be better spent just making the changes, like getting rid of farrowing crates, which are inevitable anyway.
Stephen Thompson, Clinton ON
The organization dubbed Food & Farm Care Ontario, is a total joke and an excuse to try and justify out dated farm pratices, as a farmer i think its pathetic that such a lame organization as this even exists.
hens in a layer cages, sows in dry stalls and poultry in buildings with zero natural light is inhumane and beyond out dated and is a major part of the cause of low prices because of the production volumes that be produced at the expense of the quality of life much of our foood has to live before becoming our dinner.
I am a farmer and a meat eater, but i will not sell my soul to produce food that is raised the way most of our food is currently being produced today.
Sean McGivern
PFO
OSPCA regs allow for working dogs. The regs differ for dogs who protect flocks of sheep, for example. It really doesn't matter that the folks are Amish. Whether you are Catholic, Presbyterian or Atheist, we must all look after our animals properly, whether they are dogs, cows or pigs.
Dear "Labor Animals" author...The point is that any animal regardless of the type or its purpose as such deserves to live a life free from cruelty and abuse! Neglect is abuse! Animals can be used for food, labour etc in a humane way free from abuse and suffering!
I have not been to this farm to know the conditions but I have to put my faith in the system and if the OSPCA feels the conditions are not suitable for dogs to be lovingly and safely cared for then these people or any people whether Amish or not should have to abide by the rules. These rules are in place for a reason. We owe every animal out there a safe and healthy life where they know love and respect. They are Gods creatures just as we are.
this is not a witch hunt by crazed animal activists. all the emails in the would wouldn't matter if this "kennel" was meeting the set regulations. emails to the township doesn't cause someone to have their license revoked, violations/noncompliance does. these are regulations, not guidelines, and they apply to all regardless of race, religion, or colour. if you choose not to comply then you're choosing to give up your license, simple as that.
Viola Streicher says Thomas has never been in their kennel, to her knowledge, nor have the Streichers sold a dog to Thomas. I have personally been to the Streicher's farm with Ms. Thomas to assist her with the dogs that were sold to her and my knowledge is clear on remembering the Streicher's and their farm. That being said, the bottom line is that the bylaws of Perth East were not complied with, could not be complied with and the kennel licence was lost because of this. There should not be a double standard in place and thank you to the Perth East Councillors for realizing this.
D. Baldin
If indeed things have not been up to code, as appears to be the case, then Ms Thomas should be commended for bringing her concerns to the proper authorities. If one wishes to operate a business - even a business directed toward customers outside one's own community - laws must be followed. If "the township’s standards changed" - a questionable claim - then one must adapt. This is the cost of doing business.
The Streichers' warning to the municipality "that it will be responsible for taking care of the dogs if they are seized" is both curious and weak. Are we now to ignore violations and laws because they might cause the taxpayer? And who is to blame for this expense? Why the Streichers themselves, of course.
Are other kennel operators "very afraid", as Mrs Streicher claims? They shouldn't be, provided they are operating within the code.
A. Busby
Why do it always comes down to religion or race , when someone is charged. It all comes down to the law and the fact that animals are being mistreated and they should have people trained to come into a place and show them how they can improve the life of their animals not take them away and nail them. If they refuse to help make things better then take action, some people I think just needs to be shown what a a little change makes a be difference sometimes.Just because your a group or race of people doesn,t make you above the law or better than everyone else, were,re all equal.
I feel that this whole issue is being clouded and the waters muddied by the constant bringing up of the fact that theses people are Amish. The rules apply to everyone..not one set if your Amish and another if your anything else. It appears that Ms Thomas has been witnessing these conditions and indeed interacting with these kennel owners for years and had been walking a fine line. If she took a major stand against the way these animals were being treated and the people in question found out, am sure her phone would stop ringing and she would not longer be able to pick the dogs that were surplus to requirement and would have to live with the guilt that they were being shot...Those of us who live in this rural community have been aware for a long time that all is not well, but have been helpless to do anything. All Ms Thomas has done is shed a light on the situation by reporting what she has witnessed. Its the OSPCA and the Perth East counclil who investigated and found just cause for charges to be laid and licenses to be revoked.
So, let me see, we must treat all animals humane before we kill them for food?? Does anyone besides me see how dumb this sounds?? (That comment doesn't apply to this situation.) Secondly, who says animals and humans were NOT treated humanely hundreds of years ago?? Somehow, both humans AND animals have survived. Thirdly, I agree with the person who says DO NOT take the animals away. Tell this poor family what to do differently, and give them TIME to live up to the expectations. They say they love these dogs. I believe they do. When you rip apart a loving family (animals included) it's worse than the "conditions."
I have been to many kennels as I was a dog broker years ago this is no longer accepable today being that its not reg breeders threw ckc breeding dogs for the wellness of the breed and family pets every breeder I know that did it for the love of dogs has been put out of business because of backyard breeders and yes perth farmers getting into business because of the lack of market for farm animals I feel horrable that our farmers arent getting by doing what they are knowlegable and amazing at but its not an excuse to start breeding family pets. Ive been at farms where dogs are bred in trailers no water, no hydro, no air, ramped disease and very unsanitary conditions and the breeder doesnt understand that there is an issue with what they are doing??? these dogs are then put on kijijiji and sold at a reduced price and people are buying because they dont want to pay the higher fee of the breeder I really hope this issue changes and the law crackes down or educates these people and people educate themselves on where their pets are comming from
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