By Darcy Keehn

Lately the Ridglan Farm Beagles have been in the headlines. From protests to break-ins, there have been lots of thought provoking and heartfelt conversations over factory farm conditions used to raise dogs. Dogs raised in a giant puppy mill to be sold at a profit for research. The allegations of animal cruelty in this case are numerous. Ranging from small wire cages to painful procedures done with no anesthesia.

The old adage ” an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” keeps popping up in my mind. Anyone who has witnessed or experienced the ravages of disease or injury that were caused by life style choices knows this to be accurate.

There is no question as to the physical and emotional damage these dogs experience due to the inhumane conditions they are born into and live. The real question is why, in a civilized society, are we allowing this to happen?

In this New Age, can we commit to doing better for those that can’t speak for themselves?

Why do we still provide licenses for puppy mills? Is it freedom?

Freedom for us to do as we please so it’s ok to sacrifice the Five Freedoms for dogs?

These Five Freedoms are internationally recognized as the standard of animal welfare. They provide the gold standard guideline for a dog’s physical and emotional well-being under human care.

Brief synopsis of the Five Freedoms are:

• Freedoms from hunger and thirst.

• Freedom from discomfort. Adequate shelter and comfortable resting place.

• Freedom from pain, injury or disease. Appropriate and timely Veterinary care.

• Freedom to express normal behavior. Refers to sufficient facility with space to allow for running, playing, digging and chewing. Safety to socialize.

• Freedom from fear and distress. Providing conditions and treatments that avoid mental suffering. 

None of the conditions are difficult or unreasonable to provide. Unless the motive in raising the dogs is the highest profit with no sincere regard for the overall well-being of those dogs or their ability to be physically and emotionally healthy companions.

For that matter, to sacrifice the balance of nature in the plant and mineral kingdom too?

Do we really need another cement pad in place of a lovely rose garden that has given pleasure to many?

I appreciate the tremendous effort and commitment people have made to rescue and rehome those Beagles. The families truly understand where an ounce of prevention, in changing laws, is worth a pound of cure.

For most of those dogs will never be “cured”. They will bear the trauma scars of fear, mistrust and anxiety their entire lives.

Thanks to the thousands of families, for the first time, they will know love.

Woof, woof, bye, bye.