No sympathy for customers burned by puppy mill

Reader's Forum - To the editor:

Re: Buyer beware: Do you know where Fido is from? Aug. 8.

Glad to read Rick Howe's column on puppy mills. More and more, we must speak out on this matter.

My reaction to the stories of those people who have purchased puppies, only to have them die a day or two later is not so much sympathy for them as much as DUH! What is wrong with these folks? You hand over $500 or $600 to someone in a parking lot and expect to get a healthy animal?

The first alarm should have been not being able to visit the kennel these dogs came from. The second is meeting someone in a parking lot to do business. And the third, and most important, is after seeing the condition of these animals, you handed over your money anyway! Why? You should have turned around and run and then reported this woman. Do you really think that an honest breeder would meet you in this way?

There are many reputable dog breeders around who would be happy to sell you a healthy puppy. They usually welcome visitors. In most cases, you not only see the kennel, but get to meet the parents of the puppy you want.

Most veterinarians can put you in touch with breeders if you are having trouble finding one. Yes, maybe they do charge a little more, but is it not worth it to know you will get to enjoy your puppy for many years instead of watching them suffer and die needlessly? The puppy mills that produce these poor animals are kept in business because people such as you are willing to purchase these animals, either from the likes of this woman or pet stores, which in my opinion, should also not be allowed to sell cats or dogs.

So, the only ones deserving of sympathy here are the poor animals, not those who enable these puppy mills to continue! At least you came forward and reported this situation so something may be done. For that, I thank you.

Donna Benoit

Lower Sackville