One Voice fights against illegal breeders

[The
department of Oise, 60] This Friday, May 5, early in the morning, the
Gendarmerie in collaboration with the Zoé Cell of One Voice and its
partners, also in support is the Departmental Directorate of
Protection of Persons and Populations (DDPP). They are all mobilized
to seize a couple of breeders, who are repeat offenders.

For
years, this couple has been the subject of lawsuits by One Voice.
Supervised since 2004, these breeders are duly registered in the LOF
(the French Origins Book, guaranteeing purebred dogs), had been the
subject in 2011 for yet another seizure of animals in danger,
illustrated well by a potent video report. The investigators then
found 46 dogs of all ages (Bordeaux dogs and bulldogs in particular)
all in terrible living conditions: locked in their cages, these
animals had never been let out, obviously lacking care. They could
hardly walk out of their hell.

Brought
to justice for in particular serious abuse and acts of cruelty
against domestic animals, continuation of a business classified as
non-compliant and incompetent. All this despite formal notices for
breeding activities without a certificate of capacity and the being
heavily fined with a prison sentence of 6 months for the breeder.

The
follow-up from the Zoé Cell an investigation and intervention group
of the One Voice association, highlighted the need to act again.
These people have in fact continued their activity, in total
violation with a prohibition to keeping animals who were beaten (an
offense punishable by 2 years in prison and 30 000 € fine).

It
is not yet clear how many animals will be affected by this seizure.
The full investigation will determine the nature of these new
offenses, adding to a very heavy liability for exploiting animals in
unworthy conditions.

French
law has recently tightened its requirements in face of multiple abuse
of animals on breeding farms, pet shops and Internet sales. But the
multi-billion-euro domestic animal trade in France still generates
numerous accounts of abuse and trafficking that must be fought
against on a daily basis. One Voice is demanding a stop to the pet
trade on the Internet, through classified ads, in salons and pet
shops and the call for more resources for the authorities.

Muriel
Arnal, president of One Voice, says, “What these breeders are
practicing in is not a trivial matter. One Voice is hoping this time
for an exemplary judgment in order to put an end to a long and
painful affair.”