On December 6th, 2008, in Howell, NJ, Perry and Edith Bushko's Windsong Acres Kennel was investigated by the Humane Society. The seemingly fairy tale name of the Windsong Acres Kennel is the most deceiving aspect of all. It has been used as a neglectful, torturous breeding ground for up to 300 dogs in the past decade. Some dogs were saved, but the criminal nature of this facility and its owners is being ignored.

When officials entered the facility, it was noted that the dogs are kept in individual, dirty crammed cages. The building was kept in such poor condition that there was not even sufficient water for the dogs to drink. Chief Bruce Sanchez of the Associated Humane Societys notes, “The dogs are born, bred and die in their cages. There is a situation of neglect in there, and neglect is a form of abuse"(Gladden and Johnson 2008). This can only be classified as a Puppy Mill.

Puppy Mills are cases of extreme neglect where dogs are kept in large scale, unacceptable sanitary conditions that are intolerable for a dog to live in. Lacking health or medical care, they are only fed enough to survive and to breed. The goal of puppy mills is not to breed healthy puppies. The animals are being treated as cargo, the production of puppies for financial gain is the owner’s sole priority.

Only after numerous complaints from costumers that entered the kennels was there an investigation. After negotiations, the owner voluntarily surrendered only about 50 dogs of around 300. Meaning, around 250 dogs are still left to undergo this neglect because they are of prime breeding ability. The dogs that the Bushkos surrendered were the left-overs, either too old or too small to breed. The surrendered dogs serve as a testimony of the treatment that they were forced to endured. Their nails were curling in their pads, their ears were so badly infected and full of ear mites that they were blacken and caked with debris, and their teeth were so rotten and painful that some of them could not even eat. The generous animal rescue organizations are finally giving the care that they need. Now in among these organizations, they have a chance at finding a home they have only dreamt about, but have been deprived of for so long.

These animals and their suffering is being ignored. Victor Amato of Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states, "This is not an animal cruelty case," he said. "This is just a case where a woman has more animals than she can take care of" (Gladden and Johnson 2008). Under New Jersey state law, these animals are being neglected and their owners should be prosecuted.

The most common misconception is that Puppy Mills are a distant thing that are only seen on television on shows likes “Animal Cops”. The unfortunate reality is the hell-like breeding facilities are in our own backyard. The kennel owner’s must be prosecuted for the crime that they have committed. When looking into the eyes of these dogs, there is only sadness. They have been forced into a meaningless life only used for their owner’s selfish needs. These victims cannot speak for themselves, it is time for us to stand up for them. Please sign the petition below to help end the suffering that these innocent lives have been forced into. The Bushko’s should no longer be able to force these animals into a tortured life.

The following is a quotation of New Jersey offenses that this kennel owner could be, and rightfully should be prosecuted for. There should be no exception.



“22-26. Acts constituting cruelty in general; penalty
c. Inflict unnecessary cruelty upon a living animal or creature of which he has charge or custody either as owner or otherwise, or unnecessarily fail to provide it with proper food, drink, shelter or protection from the weather, or leave it unattended in a vehicle under inhumane conditions adverse to the health or welfare of the living animal or creature;

j. Impound or confine or cause to be impounded or confined in a pound or other place a living animal or creature, and shall fail to supply it during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water;

22-17. Cruelty in general; disorderly persons offense
c. Inflict unnecessary cruelty upon a living animal or creature of which he has charge either as owner or otherwise, or unnecessarily fail to provide it with proper food, drink, shelter or protection from the weather, or leave it unattended in a vehicle under inhumane conditions adverse to the health or welfare of the living animal or creature--

Shall be guilty of a disorderly persons offense, and notwithstanding the provisions of N.J.S.2C:43-3 to the contrary, for every such offense shall be fined not less than $250 nor more than $1,000, or be imprisoned for a term of not more than six months, or both, in the discretion of the court. In addition, the court (1) shall impose a term of community service of up to 30 days, and may direct that the term of community service be served in providing assistance to the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a district (county) society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, or any other recognized organization concerned with the prevention of cruelty to animals or the humane treatment and care of animals, or to a municipality's animal control or animal population control program; (2) may require the violator to pay restitution or otherwise reimburse any costs for food, drink, shelter, or veterinary care or treatment, or other costs, incurred by any agency, entity, or organization investigating the violation, including but not limited to the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a district (county) society for the prevention of cruelty to animals, any other recognized organization concerned with the prevention of cruelty to animals or the humane treatment and care of animals, or a local or State governmental entity; and (3) may impose any other appropriate penalties established for a disorderly persons offense pursuant to Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes.”
(New Jersey Cruelty to Animals Statutes)


References:
University of Vermont. New Jersey Cruelty to Animals Statutes: NEW JERSEY STATUTES TITLE 4. AGRICULTURE AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS CHAPTER 22. PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS ARTICLE 1. SOCIETIES FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY A. THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY. http://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/cruelty/nj_cruel.htm

Gladden, Michelle and Johnson, Ed. 2008. SPCA taking kennel dogs from Howell: TOO CROWED: Couple has nearly 300 pure-bred dogs removed. APP.com. http://www.app.com/article/20081206/NEWS/812060328/1001/NEWS (accessed December 18th, 2008)

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