As the U.S. prepares to watch the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, one of the biggest dog shows of the year, held today and tomorrow, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), has come out with an exposewith new information exposing one of its biggest players, the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Every year, breeders and trainers gather in New York City for this big event to celebrate the beauty and grace of purebred dogs. HSUS claims the AKC, which calls itself “the dog’s champion,” regularly fights laws designed to stop puppy mills.
According to an investigation by HSUS, AKC has opposed more than 150 different laws around the country that would help protect dogs in puppy mills. Recently, one of its Breeders of Merit was shut down and convicted of animal cruelty right after the AKC gave the kennel a satisfactory inspection report. The report states, “the AKC has disguised its true intentions so well that many consumers are duped into thinking an AKC stamp of approval denotes a healthy, well-treated animal.”
HSUS published a similar report in 2012. Since that time, the number of dog protection laws in the U.S. climbed from 80 to more than 150. The latest report found that through AKC’s political action committee (PAC), the AKC has funneled thousands of dollars in donations to some of the most aggressively anti-animal welfare politicians in the country.
HSUS states AKC once prioritized the protection and quality of purebred dogs. It also claims AKC has hitched its operations and fundraising to high-volume breeders. Many of the AKC-registered pups sold at pet stores and online later turned out to be sick or have expensive, painful genetic defects.
HSUS hopes that AKC will shift its focus to support humane, quality breeders. In the meantime, they are giving AKC its Worst in Show award.
Sources:HSUS, Today, WhoWhatWhy
