UPDATE, June 5. Click here to read.By Kelli Ohrtman: Best Friends NetworkDogwood Kennel, located in Byrnes Chapel, VA made the news in March when a fire broke out in the kennel building late at night, killing 192 dogs. None of the dogs in the building survived the fire. The kennel’s owner, Ivan Schmucker of Bland, VA was understandably upset by the fire, stating that he estimated the total loss at over $100,000.
Click here to read the full story.
In the aftermath of the fire, the county noted that they were unaware of Schmucker’s dog breeding operation. It turns out that the breeders had been keeping over 300 breeding dogs without the Conditional Use Permit required by the county. Because he sells dogs exclusively to pet stores, there was never any traffic to his property or ads placed locally. Even after the devastating fire that killed over half of Schmucker’s dogs, he plans to rebuild and to continue breeding. Now that the county is aware of his kennel, they told him that he must apply for the appropriate permit.
On May 7th, the Bland County Planning Commission met in a first meeting to consider the permit. Bonnie Lowe, Bland County resident attended the meeting and said she worries that the county is prepared to issue the permit despite Schmucker’s operation without one in the past. She and others in the area are staunchly opposed to commercial breeding kennels (a.k.a. puppy mills) due to the fact that dogs are treated as livestock and are solely used to make a profit for their owners. A petition has been circulated, and they encourage everyone against puppy mills to add their names to send a message to the Bland County Planning commission:
Click here to sign the petitionThough Schmucker is USDA-licensed, the county had no idea that the kennel existed. Bonnie also noted, “Most people here in the community didn't know either including myself, and I've lived here eighteen years.” This has been disturbing to county residents, she said. “People here don’t want this.” A neighbor to the Schmucker’s property is concerned with the environmental impact that feces and urine from 300 dogs has on the land. Bonnie and tens of thousands of others like her are opposed to the idea of breeding companion animals as livestock, for profits in pet stores. That’s why it is so important to never buy a dog in a store, and to tell others the same.
“We’ve got other jobs here, he doesn’t need to be making money breeding dogs.” Bonnie said, “If Schmucker wasn’t making money, he would stop breeding dogs.
The planning commission’s next meeting is scheduled for June 4th, and opponents to Schmucker’s permit will be there in full force to voice their opinion.
How you can help-Add your name to the petition against the permit:
Click here to sign the petition.-
Contact Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support (VA PAWS)The group is bolstering support to fight the permit
(540) 3VA-PAWS (382-7297)
Click here for more contact information-Send letters to the editor to area newspapers:Roanoke Times:
Karen.Trout@roanoke.comBland County Messenger:
msage@Wythenews.comWytheville Enterprise:
msage@Wythenews.com*Use the same address for both the Bland and Wythe papers; make sure you note in the subject line the name of the paper that should receive your letter
-Contact Bland County officials with your opinion on commercial breeding kennels: Please take into consideration that people don’t respond well to irate e-mails or calls. A short, polite message to express opinions is more likely to be heard. Thank you.Jonathan Sweet: Bland County Administrator
jsweet.bland.co@state.va.usP. O. Box 510; Bland, VA 24315
(276)688-4622
Jerry Mercer: Planning Commission Chairman
1supervisor.bland.co@state.va.us (put Mr. Mercer's name in the subject line)
Bland County Board of Supervisors:1supervisor.bland.co@state.va.us (put the name of the supervisor in the subject line)
Henry M. Blessing/Sharon District/District 1
John C. Thompson/Vice Chairman/Seddon District/District 2
Jason R. Ramsey/Mechanicsburg/District 3
Karen H. Hadock/Chairman/Rocky Gap District/District 4
The Board can also be reached by US mail:Bland County Board of Supervisors
P. O. Box 510; Bland, VA 24315
276-688-4622 - phone
276-688-9758 - fax