Local
Puppy mill protesters promote awareness in Holmes County
By Beverly Keller
Local Edition Editor
Last week, nearly two dozen protesters paraded along State Route 39 in front of the Holmes County Expo Center to raise awareness of the plight of puppies in Holmes County and throughout Ohio.
While there were many honks, waves and general support of the message the protesters were sending, there were those who pointed fingers, yelled and were derogatory.
They held their protest signs high and showed off dogs that had been rescued. They chanted that change was needed and even the young girl that was amongst their ranks understood their message - don’t buy puppies.
However, the business of selling puppies brings in more than $9 million to the industry in Ohio and is big business, particularly in Holmes County. The group is opposed to what they refer to as “puppy mills” a place where dogs are fed and bred to produce puppies, litter by litter.
“They have no compassion for these animals,” one protester said. “They treat them terribly and it isn’t right. There are so many dogs out there that adoption is the way to go. That’s our motto; don’t buy, adopt.”
The protest was in direct relation to the Buckeye Dog Auction that was in full swing on the other side of the county in Farmerstown. It was noted by protesters that part of the auction was the sellout of a Wisconsin-based kennel allegedly run by Kathy Bauck of Minnesota.
Bauck, according to public records in Minnesota, is on trial for charges of animal cruelty. In 2006, Bauck was ordered to stop practicing veterinary medicine without a license by the Minnesota board of Veterinary Medicine. Last April, she pled guilty to one count of practicing without a license.
According to the Auction Bill from the Buckeye Dog Auction, run by Harold Neuhart, a total of 407 dogs were sold to the highest bidder.
“We just want to raise awareness and being here, with our signs, on a busy Saturday in Holmes County is doing just that,” Lisa Anderson, organizer of the protest said. “Save the puppies, adopt, don’t buy.”