As the rescue coordinator for a large municipal animal shelter, I get to see first-hand the results of greedy, insensitive people like this. I urge People Magazine to print "the other side" of the story--the countless number of animals who enter shelters and rescue organizations each day--the "throw aways" who may end up being lucky enough to be given a second chance--and last but not least, the millions of animals euthanized each year. Perhaps if this little boy and his mother could see the "end results" of web sites such as theirs, they would devote their time to helping solve the overpopulation problem rather than contributing to it.
I am disgusted to hear this. It is truly a shame to praise this kid for selling dogs for the sole purpose of making a profit. Again, I am truly disgusted.
"People", there in lies the problem. Please change your magazine title to "Ignorant People" with a sub title - "We support suffering!" Shame on you for advocating rewards in a very cruel industry which results in the suffering and death of many innocent souls.
It saddens me to see such an article promoting irresponsible breeding. I hope this young man & his family receive an education. If he would really like to become a hero maybe he should volunteer at a shelter for a week.
I am the proud owner of a rescued dog. Puppy mills like this one multiply the problem of pet overpopulation. This is not praiseworthy entrepreneurship, this is exploitation of living creatures.
My first dog Scooby missed being euthanized by 2 days when I found him. He was the sweetest dog in the world who didn't deserve to be a product of thoughtless, inhumane humans. Educate the humans!
Please do not encourage this type of business! The individual being underage, and certainly has a few more years to add to his education is not aware of the damage he can do to an animal.
You too must share in the responsibility and shame.
This 'child' should not be praised for running a front for puppy mills pups he should be shut down.
It is disgusting & completely unappropriate for a magazine to glorify him as an 'entrepreneur'.
Puppies born and sold from this enormous lack of common sense to support this "entrepreneur" are absolute nightmares for those involved in the real dog world! This truly demonstrates zero regard for proper socialization, sound temperament, and overall good health and is just appalling! These are living creatures being treated like variations of a popular gadget or toy and sold in high volume! Shame on PEOPLE for condoning this bad behavior!!!!
I have been fighting backyard breeders and puppymills all my life . I have rescued many from these two forms of exploitation. Now to see it displayed and promoted in a magazine I admire almost makes me feel that the years I have devoted to rescue and caring about animals have been for nothing. Shame on all of you at people magazine. That NOT one of you thought this was horrible. Lets see how many dogs from this breeding end up dead, in rescue, mistreated or having puppies themselves at 7 months of age.
The beat just keeps going on and on.
Nyla Haddy
Kumo-Ko Akitas In Calif.
This is just terrible! Teen Titans? It should be Teen Shame! Once again, the animals suffer at the hands of ignorant uneducated people trying to make a buck. People should be ashamed of themselves....
I do not consider animals should ever be regarded as 'commodities' to be bought and sold like so many tins of baked beans. It is not possible for this family to give these little creatures the care and respect they deserve. They are potentially trading in misery and this type of enterprise should never be encouraged. I would like to see this type of trading declared illegal.
As the owner of three beautiful rescue dogs, I am appalled that People Magazine would promote this sort of activity as a praiseworthy idea and a good way to make money. This is not a cute story.
Your "Teen Titans" article reveals only one side of a horrific practice. Please, please allow your investigative journalists to explore the sources of this child's wealth -- the terror, abuse, exploitation, and greed that is the puppymill industry. I CHALLENGE YOU to reveal the terrible truth behind this "cute" story. You will be shocked, I promise, and I'm sure you will feel compelled to issue an apology.
People! what were you thinking? You applaud a young man for brokering dogs who come from suspect sources because it shows entreprenurial spirit?? Do you realize you just gave your public blessing to puppy mills and back yard breeders? Even worse he says he wants to get into exotic pets. Womderful I am sure smugglers and poachers in other countries will be pleased to know that. I have been a People reader from the time you were first published. The only way you will retain my readeship is if you retract your lauding of this particular titan.
Dawn van Nostrand
A dog's life is sacred and short. Publishing stories that promote irresponsible mass sales of puppies, is not responsible reporting. Responsible breeders rarely make a profit, so when you hear the words puppy sales and profit together, it should raise an alarm. Rescue animals deserve media coverage that encourages support, and most importantly, promotes adoption. Please publish an article that will educate the public about rescue efforts, and include websites and locations where people can go to learn more about rescue efforts.
This is a crime, these puppies need a good home, and the owners need to know where they are going, and how they are going to be taken care of. I used to raise Poodles, and this was a must.!!!
Many people do not realize that all pet store puppies and internet puppies come from either puppymills or backyard breeders. If you will take the time to check the rules for reputable breed organizations you will find that most, if not all, prohibit anything other than private treaty sale to individuals. Buying a puppy from a pet store condems it mother to producing another. Please consider adopting from a shelter or rescue group.
Wow, you should have done a bit more research! You should try promoting adopting a dog from rescue rather than singing the praises of a teenage puppy mill.
All those beautiful dogs. I bet at least one of the People magizine editors have a little bundle of fur, or maybe a big bundle of fur, that you would do anything for. You would rather hug him/her than wash your clothes and clean your house. You think of your dog as part of your family. Especially, when they look up at you their soft brown eyes full of love you promise to love them always. Well, the same goes for these babies from puppy mills.
People like this should not be praised. They should be denounced. Making bmoney on the slavery of another living being is bad enough but people like this are responsible for the tens of thosands of deaths of innocent animals every year. People who want to give a home to a dog or cat should go to the shelters where they languish and die by the thousands.
There should definately be an article about the results of puppy mills. EQUAL TIME. I have adopted 3 huskys from rescues. People bought them in pet shops and when they were not longer cute little puppies they no longer wnated them. Or 1 who at 4 1/2 months was hit by a car. Even though there was nothing broken or internal damage they didn't want to pay the medical bills they just wanted him put to sleep.
the conditions that the animals are in when they are at a puppymill is horrid. the dog i rescued had several scars and her brother had an eye infection. these places should be shutdown. selling the animals in local pet stores should be prohibited.
I work for a rescue group that takes in dogs that are no longer useful at puppy mills. These poor dogs are unsocialized, ill, abused, terrified and afraid of their own shadows. People should be ashamed for promoting this young man's business. Shame. Shame.
How about highlighting the young people who work to RESCUE all the abandoned and abused animals in this country???
