Guest blog by Missy John, 13 year Sioux Falls Animal Control Officer

We have all heard the term and we have all seen the images via media.  It's a brutal hobby that puts all of the suffering on another.  It's all over the United States and yes, even in the Midwest.  It is not biased to race, sex, or economic stature.  Unfortunately, for as many people as part take in this illegal sport, just as many keep the secrets of these rings.

Some say, it's just an animal or not my business.  But in reality dog fighting brings not only animal cruelty to your neighborhood, but also likely gang affiliation, drugs, and the criminals that are involved in these rings.  They effect families, schools, and neighborhoods.

Signs
These rings do not advertise except in their small circles.  You may see frequent gatherings of people in a desolate area.  There may be frequent dogs that come and go.  Dog fighters will usually have a large amount of medical supplies (gauze, stitching material, saline bags), because wounded dogs don't usually go to a veterinarian.  

Many rings are mobile or disposable.  Plywood or old doors for walls and roll up carpet.  You will likely find start lines chalked on the floor.  

So, what do you do if you have information on dog fighting?  Contact your local law enforcement.  Explain in detail what you have observed and when.  Of course some are afraid to come forward or just don't want their name involved.  In those circumstances, contact your nearest CrimeStoppers and file an anonymous report.  Please remember to leave as many details as possible to help investigators resolve a dog fighting issue quickly.

Dog fighting is society's concern.  We can work together to make a better and safer community for everyone.

The Humane Society of the United States assisted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department in the rescue of 21 dogs from a suspected dog fighting operation in Jefferson County, West Virginia on Thursday, June 25, 2015. The dogs range in age from 10 months to early teens, and some have scars consistent with dogfighting. The authorities also found an area they suspected was used for staging fights and dogfighting paraphernalia. The dogs will be held at a temporary shelter where they will receive needed veterinary care and enrichment, after which they will be evaluated for potential placement with HSUS Dogfighting Rescue Coalition placement partners. Larry French/AP Images for The HSUS

​During the legislative session, members of the South Dakota State Legislature return to their home districts to report to their constituents about issues of the current session. Several legislative coffees or cracker barrel events are held throughout the state.  Usually legislators answer questions posed by constituents in a moderated format and there is also an opportunity for constituents to speak directly with their legislators after the session. The events are open to the public and it is a great time for South Dakota animal advocates to meet their elected representatives!


Aberdeen
Saturdays, 10am- 12 noon Centennial Rooms of Northern State University
February 4th
February 11th
February 25th
March 4th

Belle Fourche
Saturdays, 1-3pm, location to be determined
January 21st
February 4th

Brandon
Saturday, 9-10:30am, Bethany Meadows Community Center
January 28th

Huron
9am, Huron City Commission Room
Monday, January 23rd  
Saturday, February 4th
Saturday, February 25th

Madison
Legislative Preview, Madison High School Auditorium
Wednesday, January 4th, 5:30-6:30pm

Mitchell
Fridays at noon, Mitchell City Council Chambers
January 27th
February 17th

Piedmont (Foothills)
Saturday, 2-4pm, Piedmont Valley American Legion  
February 11th

Pierre
Saturday, 9-10:30 am, Pierre Area Chamber of Commerce Community Room
January 21st

Rapid City
Saturdays, 9-11am, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
January 21st
February 4th
February 25th
March 4th

Redfield
Monday (Presidents Day) at 2pm, Historical CNW Train Depot
February 20th

Sioux Falls
Saturdays at 10am, Ramada Hotel & Suites
February 4th
February 11th
February 25th

Spearfish
Saturday, 9-10am, High Plains Western Heritage Center 
January 28th

Vermillion
Saturday, 9-11am, Vermillion City Hall 
January 28th

Watertown
Saturday, Watertown Winter Farm Show 
February 11th

Yankton
Saturdays, 10-11am, Avera Sacred Heart Pavilion  
January 21st
February 4th
February 25th

​Two years ago, I received an urgent text message that the USDA was doing a raid on a breeder about 25 miles east of Mitchell.  They hadn't planned on it taking as long as it did and had no place to overnight 17(possibly more, I can't remember) dogs.  Some mama's, puppies, and younger dogs.  We wrangled together a few of us and a local dog boarding place agreed to let us bring the dogs there.  We worked until 1 or 2 a.m.  My heart broke several times that night.  The last picture of the lab and her babies will always haunt me, I can still see her face!  All the mama's were completely scared, they had no idea what love or human contact was like.  These poor dogs were basically frozen and would not move in or out of kennels.  It was heart wrenching.  The looks on their faces were just utter terror!  The younger dogs and puppies were going to be fine, I could just tell.  A couple of Goldens were VERY deformed around their mouths, obviously from over bred parents would be my guess.

Anyway, we went out to the kennel the next morning and all the dogs had been transported to rescues in Sioux Falls, Brookings and Minnesota.  All but a mama Cocker Spaniel and her 4 day old puppies!  No one had tagged them for rescue.  My friend and I looked at each other and I just said, I'll take them.  We had never had day old puppies before, but our vet and other said it would be okay, mama does most of the work for the first few weeks.  So after our vet check we hauled Mama Maggie and her babies to our home!  We named the pups Kramer, Scooter, Nicki and Anna.  Too adorable for words.

It was obvious that Maggie was going to take some work!  She had never been out of a kennel, never been groomed, etc.  The first picture I attached is what she looked like when we got her.  We decided to let her stay in our wire kennel for a few days, until she got a bit more comfy.  Every night I would lay inside that kennel (well half of me anyway haha) and just talk to her and pet her.  She would just gaze into my eyes as if she was saying I want to trust you, I want to love you but I am scared.  After a few days we set up a play pen for Maggie and the pups.  The first day she had no idea what to do.  No roof over her head and space to move around.  After that she was like, wow this is cool!  We would take her out of the play pen to get a break from the puppies and she started to slowly come up to us on her own.  We would just sit down in our kitchen quietly and patiently waiting for her to realize she was going to be okay and life was going to be AWESOME!  

One of our supporters graciously offered to pay for a spa day for our girl Maggie.  I had previous appointment set up for one of my dogs, so we just decided to take Maggie in instead.  Now, we had to figure out how to get her groomed but still be able to nurse the week old babes!  We did it in two shifts, so Maggie was able to come home and nurse.  While she was gone, I had a heater and lots and lots of blankets for the babies.  I think I may have been more nervous about the whole thing then Maggie.  I literally had tears when they carried her out!  GORGEOUS, and you could tell she was a little proud of herself!  It was such a fantastic day! 

Maggie started roaming around the kitchen without any fear, but you still had to approach slowly.  The first time she laid her head in my lap, yes you guessed it, more tears!  When the puppies were about 3 to 4 weeks old, you could tell she was ready to have more time away from them, but she still wouldn't come up the 3 stairs to our living room area.  We would just sit at the top of the steps and she would lay down at the base.  It took awhile, but she finally did it!  She came up the stairs!  It was very amazing to see my dogs (we had 5 at the time, now 6) with her.  It was like they knew she was special and they didn't push her at all.  Pretty soon she was coming upstairs on a regular basis, but always had to be next to me.  If she got nervous or scared she would just go back to her comfort zone, the kitchen.  She was such a good mama, who knows how many liters that poor girl had!  

When the puppies were about 6 or 7 weeks old, we decided to let Maggie sleep upstairs with us.  We set up a little bed area in our room and she knew immediately that was for her!  I don't think Maggie ever slept, and I am not exaggerating one bit.  She was always awake.  One night I was laying in bed, Maggie was on her pillow and all of a sudden I heard her let out the biggest sigh I have ever heard from a dog.  About a half hour later, she was snoring!  It was so amazing, I just laid in bed with a big old smile on my face!

We had the pups until they were 8 weeks old.  I couldn't have hand picked their families any better if I tried.  After they all went to their new homes it was like Maggie knew she was free!  We got her spay done, waited for about another month and I finally felt she was ready to be adopted.  We had a lot of applicants, mainly because they liked her story, but she was going to have a very special home.  Finally, I received an application along with a 3 page letter from a lady in Sioux Falls.  My gut was telling me this was it!  She already had a breeder dog that was pretty much the same as Maggie.  She came over once with her friend, and then once with her current dog.  Maggie was petrified, but after a few minutes everyone was liking each other and Maggie went up to her new mama and put her head on her lap!  YES!  The cool thing is that Maggie actually helped her other dog too.  Jennifer's dog kind of took Maggie under her wing and showed her the ropes once they all got home.  

Disease, fleas, worms, disfigurement, etc. are complaints that people who bought a puppy mill dog have in common. No one expects to buy a puppy mill dog, but the fact is many of them are “hidden in plain sight” in pet stores and online ads promising cuteness and the latest or rarest breed. However, after the puppy is brought home, symptoms of disease start to appear and the reality of the horrid conditions they came from come to light. And without standards for facilities many times the consumer ends up paying a high vet bill – or worse, having to deal with the death of their new pet.

This is not an uncommon thing to hear. And when you are a fellow pet owner, you really feel for the people that have been duped. Duped into buying a dog from a place that provides inadequate to no care for the animals they are in charge of. Commonly known as "puppy mills," these facilities are a breeding ground for disease, neglect, abuse, and behavior problems in unsocialized animals.

Sometimes ads will say you can't see the facility because of a variety of reasons. That should be a red flag. If the parent dogs are not able to be handled, let alone seen, that should also cause concern to a potential buyer. Behavior traits can be inherited from parent dogs. Furthermore, removing animals from their mother too soon can have severe consequences for their personality and socialization.

I believe people who buy dogs instead of adopt do so with the same intentions as adopters, to welcome a new furry family member to enjoy and love. With this being the end goal, I believe we need to be aware that many breeding dogs’ lives are full of pain. Animals used for breeding should be protected by laws for – at the very least – basic standards of care.

Treating animals humanely is a practice anyone can get behind. Many reputable breeders already practice responsible breeding and provide proper facilities, feed, and veterinary care for their animals. However, South Dakota needs laws that allows prosecution of the breeders who don’t provide adequate care for their animals. Please join met in supporting SB 157, a law that protects humane treatment of animals.