THROUGH A MOTHER’S EYES
In a 2019 article for 11Alive, Rebecca Lindstrom and Lindsey Basye shared the story of Victoria, a German Shepherd who was used as a “puppy factory” for ten years. Victoria spent all those years giving birth to an estimated 150 puppies in Pennsylvania, but was then discarded after showing signs of a terminal illness called degenerative myelopathy, the canine version of amyotrophic lateral disease. Her rescuer said that she had “never seen a dog who was that shut down and shy, and scared and growling. And she was 91 pounds in a crate that was suitable for a twenty five pound dog.”
Unfortunately, Victoria’s story is not an isolated incident. It happens to millions of dogs around the world, especially in puppy mills. According to a 2018 article published in Breeding Business, there are breeders who push the limits of their dogs, causing them many health issues.
Dog breeding is considered an industry, and just like in any other, there will always be those who prioritize profit above ethics. Breeding Business says that in order for breeders to maximize profits, female dogs are bred as much as possible with little to no recovery time in between.