Milly-la-Forêt puppy show: open letter to Eric Jalon, Essonne’s Prefect

Mr Éric Jalon
Essonne Prefect
Administrative Centre
Boulevard de France
CS10701
91010 Evry Courconnes cedex

Vannes, 27 July 2022

Dear Prefect,

Our association has been alerted about the puppy show held in Milly-la-Forêt on 23 and 24 July 2022. Two hundred and fifty breeding puppies were presented to the public and put up for sale during this event.

In our capacity as an association whose main purpose is to protect and defend animals and the environment, we hope that this letter brings your attention to several points pertaining to the welfare of the animals exhibited.

The images that we were sent show the animals being exhibited outside while the temperature came close to forty degrees. Despite there being marquees, some enclosures were predominantly in the sun. The animals seemed to be suffering from the heat (panting, lethargy) and moreover were being subjected to the stress of visitors passing by and noise. A bitch and her puppy were enclosed together in a small cage where she has no room to lie down.

Furthermore, during these events, despite being authorised by legislation in force, the animals are considered simply as merchandise, completely reified to the detriment of the respect for their individuality and their needs.

Currently, shelters and associations who care for abandoned animals, strays or those mistreated, are overwhelmed with requests and can no longer cope with the many calls for help. The organisation of the puppy show, and what is more in such conditions, appears to totally contradict with the responsibility of the owners to host a complex and sentient being.

The veterinary services for your Prefecture are appointed during such events in order to monitor compliance with the regulations in place, particularly regarding the presentation conditions and the welfare of the animals. We are surprised that the organisation of the puppy show in such circumstances has not generated any opposition on your part.

We thank you for your attention to this letter and ask that you accept our highest consideration, dear Prefect.

Muriel Arnal
Founding President of One Voice

Translated from the French by Joely Justice