Buying out a puppy mill

Taking on puppy mills is always a struggle for animal protection agencies around the world. And it seems that once you close down one, another pops up in its place. In an effort to deal with the continuing issue of such businesses, the Wisconsin Humane Society plans to buy and close one of the largest dog breeding facilities in the nation.

This will mean 1,100 dogs at the kennel will need new homes.

Cory Smith of the Humane Society of the United States says this may be a first-of-its-kind effort by a local humane society to deal with so-called puppy mills.

The Wisconsin society says Wallace Havens agreed to sell the Puppy Haven Kennel in Markesan because he plans to retire. The society did not give a sale price.

American Kennel Club spokeswoman Daisy Okas says the club suspended and fined Havens in 2006 over conditions at his kennel.

Not sure we agree with this approach, though ANYTHING to close these sites down is always a welcome thing.