[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."
