Andrea Rosebrock 
As you may know if you read this site regularly, I detest puppy mills and often bring stories, images and videos to view. They are harsh are they are graphic because this is a cruel subject and people need to know and to understand if there are ever to be changes and an end to these cruelties.
Today I want to bring to your attention Indiana’s Amish Puppy Mills. When people think of the Amish, they tend to think of a people who live according to God’s word and religion but after you view this video, you’ll see a side of the Amish that many of you don’t know. You will see cruelty, heartlessness and greed.
This following is excerpts from an email from Kim Townsend of NoPuppyMills.com and PetShopPuppies.org:
Several years ago, I was contacted by someone who had witnessed the abuse and neglect of a dog (several dogs, in fact) at an Indiana Amish puppy mill. My first thought was “here we go again…someone who doesn’t understand that puppy mills are legal; another do-gooder who thinks they can solve the puppy mill problem overnight, and will disappear from the scene in a month or two when they realize the dog industry is a monster…much bigger than anything we can tackle alone.”
That wasn’t the case. This person has remained a true friend and has proven time and time again that her dedication and stamina far outweigh my own! For three years she has stopped at nothing to bring light to the problem of the Indiana Amish puppy mills. She started with what most would think was the simple route — the legal route. When prosecutors ignored her proof, she began to follow another route — the money trail. When tax officials showed no interest, she reached out to the media.
WTHR in Indianapolis became interested in her video and launched a nearly year-long investigation into puppy mills, however, they investigation led them away from the heart of the problem…the Indiana Amish mills, and into Missouri and the world of dog auctions. Don’t get me wrong, we were grateful for their coverage but the video submitted by this person was deemed too graphic for their broadcast and I personally don’t feel they were able to bring state-wide attention to the problem in Indiana .
We all know that puppy mills exist and we all know of the Amish puppy mill problem, but until you see this video, you can’t possibly understand how deep the problem goes. (The video above is the one referred to)
I warn you, there are some graphic images on the first video, but if you care anything about the problem of puppy mills, you will force yourself to watch this…it is essential that you watch this. I have seen and heard many things through the years that have angered and saddened me…but absolutely nothing like this. As I watched it, my heart was pounding, my brow was furrowed, and my eyes welled up with tears. Not tears of sadness, but tears of anger and determination.
There will be much more to follow, as PetShopPuppies plans to submit a comprehensive “package” of information to all elected officials in Indiana , as well as federal officials that have turned a blind eye to the problems in Indiana . 80% of the puppies coming from a large chain of pet stores in the Indianapolis area are coming from unlicensed and untraceable sources…ironically, this pet store is licensed by USDA (most pet stores do not have to be licensed, but this pet store acts as a broker by employing the Amish to pick up puppies for resale to other Indianapolis pet stores). We have obtained inspections reports on the pet store…which do document that they are buying from illegal sources, but to our knowledge, absolutely nothing is being done…no trace-backs are occurring, USDA is not doing anything about the unlicensed mills, and even less about the licensed ones!
This video is the first step to change…much more will follow, but I need you to view the video and pass it on to every list that you are on, dog related or not. Thank you for your time and consideration, I will keep you posted with updates.
Please, share this, email it, tell people. We need to get the word out. The first step to change is to acknowledge the problem and to educate. Every person who buys a puppy from a pet store or an internet or newspaper ad is just adding to the problem.
For even more information, read The Horrors of Puppy Mills and follow the comments, most of them lead to other stories and information as well.
This is so sick!! I can’t even bare to watch this….this is so sad….what can be done??
I CANT BELIEVE THAT NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT THIS MAN. HE NEEDS TO BE PUT IN A CAGE AND SEE HOW HE LIKES IT. LET HIM GET A DOG BITE AND LET IT GO UNTREATED. HES SICK.
WHY ARENT THEY SHUTTING THESE PLACES DOWN? ITS DISGUSTING WHAT THEY ARE DOING
Oh my word. I almost didn’t watch the video because your warnings were so dire. I’m so very glad that I did, though. I knew the Puppy Mill problem was awful but I didn’t realize how despicable it truly was! Or how close to home.
As horrible as that video was, thank you for posting it here.
as long as americans have an insatiable appetite for pure bred dogs these places will continue to thrive. we need to wake up and relize were there is a demand for pure breed dogs there will be a supply no matter the quality. the only way this will stop is for those that are passionate about animals rights is thru educating the public and push for adoption.
this is absolutely criminal behavior. I pray that all Amish people who cruelly breed and treat dogs in this way will be exposed for who they are……..and I pray for these dogs and their puppies. What a sad statement ……. those who profess to be “Christians” do not know the meaning of the word! I am sickened beyond belief. I give my all and pay whatever it takes to keep my 3 dogs healthy and happy and I purchased each one from a “hobby” breeder who loves their dogs and do not make money from the sales!!!! I would almost give my life for my dogs, I care for them so very much. This story needs to be told to every dog lover in this country. Expose the “AMISH” and MENNONITE” “CHRISTIANS” (they are not Christian) and punish them for horrible crimes against helpless animals which man has domesticated and for which HUMANS are responsible….this is horrendous.
Yes, I bought a english bulldog pup from an amish man at his farm Jonas Fisher 10961 N. Centerville Rd. Williamsburg,Ind. 47393, on 11-10-08. She came to him a day or two before from John Graber, 7334 Bruick Rd. New Haven, Ind. 46774, which I had called about the pup beforeand talked to him not knowing who he was I just answered an add in paper He had told me he saold them to an amish guy that lived around richmond Indiana, so I looked up his name in phone book and called and went to see pup on Saturday 11-8-08 and they wanted cash so I went back with cash on MONDAY 11-10-08 and bought her. She seemed just fine I had my vet check her and she seemed fine for about a week and started this coughing and like choking. The amish man Jonas gave me a brown bottle and said it was herbs to help fight off respirtory diseases and give her 2cc an morning and 2cc in evening I decided not to because my vet and I didn’t know what was in it and she seemed fine at first. My vet doctored her for days and I took her to another vet close by the night before thanksgiving and he said she was very sick and he advised us to take her to Northwood Veterinary Hospital in Anderson, we did right away and they hooked up iv’s and oxegon, and other antibiotics any way she had a collasped lung and neumonia, they doctoredfrom 11-26-08 to 11-30-08 . We had to put her down this morning on 11-30-08, she was so bad and her exrays of lungs was even worst. I paid 1500.00 for her and around 2000.00 in medical bills to try and save her and it will be 3 weeks tomorrow and I don’t have her. I have a little male english bulldog 3 weeks older I bought from a different place and I am giving him antibiotics right now to make sure he doesn’t get it. He has the running nose and I hope and pray he will be alright. He is also lost without his little playmate. Please something needs to be done and I don’t know what to do. Jonas said she was fine when he sold her to me. stop them and please help
PLEASE! Check out BREED RESCUE if you want a pure-bred puppy, do not support in any way the evil Amish (or any other) Puppy Mills!)
My family and I just learned a very hard lesson…we had to put down our 1 1/2 year old Cavalier. After doing some digging into his breeder, all the links led me to “puppy mills”. Imagine my horror and outrage!