WINONA, Minn. — The Winona County Planning Commission voted 6-3 against clamping down on the 10 dog-breeding kennels in the county despite emotional citizen pleas to shut down “puppy mills.” The Commission’s majority was moved by a lack of evidence of mistreatment. Also; The majority of the Commission concluded that existing federal and state regulations are sufficient.
Mistreatment stories
Citizen testimony favored a ban on kennels or at least a ceiling on their size. There have been dozens of letters on newspaper opinion pages alleging that commercial breeding kennels mistreat dogs. Among witnesses before the Planning Commission:
> Gayle Goetzman-Stopla. of Winona. recalled a puppy mill rescue dog she had as a child: “This dog had mental, physical and behavioral problems that lasted his entire lifetime.”
> Olivia Hanson, of Waggin’ Tails pet care in Winona, talked about a client’s dog: “She shut down emotionally for so long after being rescued,”
> Karin Raile, of Winona: “Regulation has proven not to work. I am asking that you make Winona County the humane capital of Minnesota, not the puppy mill capital.”
Contrarian conclusion
The Planning Commission’s majority concluded that the county should leave animal welfare issues to the state and federal governments. This meant the Commission’s recommendation to the County Board will be against a proposed ban on new kennels or a limit on the number of dogs. The County Board has shown some interest in adopting new rules. Of state-licensed kennels in Winona County, the largest has 82 adult dogs. Relatively these are small. The Minnesota Board of Health, which regulates kennels, lists 120 breeding kennels statewide, the largest with 1,000 dogs. Although Winona County relies on federal and state inspections of to assure adequate facilities, care and recreation, Sheriff Ron Ganrude responded to public pressure last fall and ordered inspections. No problems were identified although there were kennels that wouldn’t allow access to an inspector.