*
A4O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 16, 1995
(Continued from Pago A 39)
past special.
It can be assumed that, as they
have in the past, owners of dog
kennels and other breeding opera
tions have been working and plan
ning to meet this demand for
puppies.-
While opponents and critics of
those who give animals as gifts are
vocal and noisesome, they aren’t
as numerous as those buying
puppies.
And, according to Richard Hess,
director of thr Der
Ay anu w_ v
well as cleaning and maintenance efficiency are key. In
order to know whether or not a facility compiles with exist
ing or about to be implemented laws, call the state Depart
ment of Agriculture Bureau of Dog Law. Even if this facility
didn’t meet the minimum requirements for registering as a
kennel, the benefits to doing so voluntarily are strong eco
nomically and business-wise.
There have been a lot of rumors going around Lancaster Co. about this year's 609 tobacco crop. We would
like to address the rumors pertaining to Oldham Tobacco,
Oldham Tobacco has been accused of trying to hold the price of tobacco down. This is completely untrue.
We have in the past, are now and will continue to work to get higher prices for Lancaster Co. farmers. We have
passed the farmers message on to the companies we buy for. These tobacco prices are not what the 609 farmers
expected and they are upset! What the companies will do we do not know nor do we control.
It is true we made the choice to stop participating in the auction at Paradise. We do not feel the auction is
fair in the way they distribute tobacco to buyers. We asked the auction management to explain their distribu
tion policy and were told one company deserved half of the tobacco sold at auction and if we didn't like it we
could leave: That is what we chose to do!
Oldham tobacco has supported the auction and raised the price in the past. We can not continue to partici
pate as we receive that type of treatment.
We have been accused of trying to destroy the auction. This is not true! We closed our field buying stations
down when the auction began. We asked our customers to support the auction as well. We support & believe in
the auction system, but only one that is fair to all buyers.
We will continue to buy 609 tobacco at our location in Quarryville. We are located behind Ross' Feed &
Grain on Church St. If you would like to have a buyer come by, have your tobacco picked up or discuss tobacco
prices, please call Bobby, H.M., Ron or Joey at 786-6135.
Dog Law Bureau Chief:
Agriculture Bureau of Dog Law.
while there are few actual cases
behind the claims of those purport
ing to right “puppy mills” (a term
used to describe neglected, unsuit
able breeding operations), there
are breeders whose practices can
not be defended.
What serious dog breeders can
do to establish a respected and leg
ally protected operation is to regis
ter their operation as a kennel.
Those who sell from one to 25
dogs per year are not required to be
509 TOBACCO PJUtMEHS
Celebrating 15 years of service to Lancaster Co. Farmers
ATTENTION
BOBBY OLDHAM TOBACCO
27 N. Church St, Quarryville, PA
(717) 786-6135
This is s top-notch breeding kennel facility thst provides sn elevatsd outside run,
inside warmth, a constant source of clean water, and an effective maintenance/
cleaning schedule, good records, and well maitained veterinary supplies. To help
kennel owners comply with changes in the law, the state Department of Agriculture is
offering provide a compliance inspection with the promise of issuing no fines on a
first visit.
Only those with sales of 26 or more
are required.
However, Hess said that those
who aren’t required to license their
kennel should probably consider
it, for the benefits economic,
social and legal that such
registration can provide.
Hess said that in carrying out its
duties and responsibilities, the
Bureau of Dog Law does not want
to put anyone out of business nor
bother a hobbyist, but it does want
compliance with suitable dog
raising practices.
A set of new dog law regulations
are going to go into effect soon
We Will Help You
which would require some restruc
turing, redesigning or rebuilding in
order to comply.
As a sort of gift in itself to
licensed kennel owners and others
who may seek to register as a
licensed kennel, the state will help
achieve compliance with the laws.
Hess said that what the Buruea
is offering dog breeders is the
opportunity to have a department
official come to the operation to do
a compliance check.
This visit by officials would
review the requirements of the law
and those not needing any changes
will have the protection of the
department against false claims of
neglect.
No matter what conditions,
Hess said the first visit to a facility
will be a compliance check and not
result in a fine.
If corrections are required and
not made to a facility to make it
come into compliance, the depart
ment will act accordingly.
While the majority of those
supplying puppies run clean,
healthy and safe operations, there
arc those on the fringe of the Pen
nsylvania dog industry whose
operations are not up to snuff.
(Turn to Pag* A 42)