tracking backyard breeders on ebay...

Date: Tuesday, June 4th, 2013 and Saturday, June 8th, 2013

Version: 3

Presented by: Pam Sordyl, Founder Puppy Mill Awareness of

Southeast Michigan

[email protected]

www.meetup.com/puppymillawareness/

Kevin Wilken, Director of Saginaw County Animal

Control and Humane Consultations

http://www.humaneconsultations.org/

Tracking Backyard Breeders on Ebay – Webinar

Why track and report breeders?

Many times dogs are kept in poor conditions.

inadequate water, food, or shelter

lack of veterinary care.

They receive little socialization.

Genetic defects are passed down requiring costly veterinary care for families.

They contribute to the homeless pet crisis.

Photo Credit: USDA, Kansas breeder Melvin Rife 2011

Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Domestic Animals Control Commission (MADACC)

Marketing techniques of Breeders

LOCAL

Ebay Classified (Kijiji)

Hoobly

Craigslist

Flyers on pet store bulletin boards

Signs on light poles or off of main streets

Newspaper Ads (cost more) – also online.

Magazines

Many other various websites

NATION WIDE

Puppyfind.com

Nextdaypets.com

PurebredBreeders.com

Many other various websites

What are the different types of breeders?

Home

Hobby

Backyard

Commercial (Puppy Mills)


Home BreedersWill generally only be breeding one dog.

May be accidental. Pet owner didn’t spay or neuter their pet(s).

Usually trying to make a quick profit

Puppies are commonly mixed, although you will see purebreds.

They aren’t concerned about temperament or physical characteristics of the dog.

These breeders usually aren’t very educated about what they bred or about dogs in general.

Advertisements will be limited.

Hobby Breeders

Breed for show or sport.

Money is not the driving force behind these breeders.

Generally take good care of their dogs.

Usually only have one breed of dog.

Commonly have just a handful of adults.

Never need to advertise.

Backyard Breeders

Individuals that breed out of their house, basement, backyard, garage, shed, etc. to try and make a profit.

Care given to these animals is usually the very minimal.

cages are small

dogs may be sitting in urine and excrement

may not be fed properly (malnourishment is common)

little to no veterinary care

genetic deformities may be common


Backyard Breeders (cont.)

Generally live in suburban or semi-urban areas.

Will usually have multiple breeds of dogs that under 30 lbs.

They purposely breed smaller dogs because they are easier to hide from the neighbors and are easier to sell.

Will commonly have 10-30 dogs, but 150-200 is not unheard of.

Photo courtesy of Livingston County Animal Control

Backyard Breeders (cont.)

They sell to pet shops and directly to consumers through newspaper ads and the internet.

May not allow customers into their houses or where the dogs are being housed.

Will commonly meet buyers in parking lots within a few minutes of their property.

May refuse to show the parents of the puppy they are selling.

50/50 chance they will cooperate with law enforcement.

Commercial Breeders

Also known as “puppy mills.”

The driving force behind puppy mills is money. They mass produce puppies.

Puppy mills is the main source for pet stores.

Conditions in a puppy mill are generally poor, but usually better than what is found with Backyard Breeders.

small cages

dogs may be sitting in urine and feces

dogs usually are not receiving proper veterinary care

2012 Noble County Indiana

2012 New Michigan Kennel

Photo courtesy of Noble County Zoning

Commercial Breeders (cont.)

Breeding females may sit in a cage for ten or more years. In order to increase profits they are bred as often as possible.

Puppy mills may have anywhere from approximately 50 breeding females to a thousand breeding females.

Usually found in rural areas.Missouri is the “puppy mill capital of the country”

Common throughout the rest of the Midwest – Puppy Mill Belt (i.e. Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, and Oklahoma)

Rusty Wire Floor

Untreated Eye Inflamations

Photos from USDA.

Industry Changes – “The Belt”

Puppy Mill Belt

Active in commercial dog breeding

Contain some commercial dog breeders,

but show a pattern of growing concern

www.awawatchdog.com/puppybelt

2009 2013

Puppy Mill Belt

Active in commercial dog breeding

Contain between 5-11 commercial dog

breeders/dealers.

* Most all states are decreasing the number of USDA

licensed kennels except Indiana an Ohio.

Other players in the dog production industry

Brokers

Also knows as Class B dealers.

Purchase puppies from commercial breeders and sell to pet stores.

Commonly ship by trucks.

Must be licensed by the USDA and follow regulations put forth by the Federal Animal Welfare Act.

Inspection reports are public record.

May also breed.

Backyard Dealers

Similar to backyard breeders except they don’t breed, they just deal.

Usually obtain their dogs from puppy mills or backyard breeders.

Will generally only have puppies and smaller breeds. Usually no adults.

Sometimes they will act as both backyard dealers and breeders.

Hoarders

Individuals that are collecting usually dozens, sometimes hundreds of animals.

Usually collect only one species.

In need of psychiatric help.

They collect the animals because they feel they are “helping” them.

Hoarders generally are not in the business of selling their animals, therefore, the tracking tool is useless for tracking hoarders.

OVERVIEW

Backyard Breeder Ebay Tracking Tool

Introduction

Every day puppy sellers post approximately 40 free ads on Ebay (Kijiji) Classified Ads in the Detroit area. A 2012 study showed many of them were unlicensed potential backyard breeders with multiple litters and breeds.

Log ads on a daily basis before the ad is removed or expired

Classify the type of seller (home, hobby or backyard)

Identify who they are (name, address, phone).

Report any unlicensed breeders to the local authorities.

Objectives

Goals

Identify neglectful backyard breeders.

Identify all licensing violations.

Ensure all backyard breeders are known by authorities.

Ensure all backyard breeders have an animal welfare check.

Collecting the information

Time consuming.

Information needs to be collected from sources that cover a period of weeks, preferably months

Collecting information over a long period of time will show that a person is in the business of breeding. You will eliminate home breeders.

Should be collected from multiple sources

Again, this will usually eliminate home breeders.

REPORTING SUGGESTIONS

1. Gather ads from one source (i.e.Ebay) for at minimum three to six months to identify multiple litters and active sellers.

2. Divide logging up between four volunteers. Each log for an assigned week.

3. Consolidate ads into a “Reporting Tool” that stores seller profiles and kennel licenses.

4. Use pivot tables to generate reports by Animal Control areas (cities or counties).

5. Provide reports to Animal Control.

Ebay Instructions

Step-by-step instructions can be found within the MS Excel tracking workbook.

Go to worksheet “Instructions_EbayAdLog”

Instructions with ‘print screens’ can be found online.

http://michiganpuppymills.yolasite.com/tracking-backyard-breeders.php

Copy Ads from Ebay

Pasted into EbayAdLog

Example Ad – What type?Advertising Location: May 28 - Hazel Park

Price: $175

Ad Summary: Chihuahua puppy

Add Comments: Chihuahua puppy great with kids and other animals unfortunately my other dog doesn't get along with him. Working on potty training and he is doing great so far.

Phone Number As Listed: <not listed>

Posted By Name: Facebook User

Name On Ad: <not listed>

Address: Hazel Park, Mi 48030

Facebook Link: <not provided>

Email on Ad: <not listed>

Website Link: <not listed>

Offered By: Owner

Age Category: Baby

Breed Type: Chihuahua

Registered Since Date: 10/2011

Number of Puppies: 1

Save Alarming Photos

Flag Backyard Breeder

Alarming photos.

Multiple ads including multiple breeds and litters.

Advertise out side of their area or state so the buyer can not see conditions.

Advertise the popular small breeds and mix breeds as designer dogs.

Designer Dog

Teacup

Hypo Allergenic

Tiny

Teddy Bear

Parti

Ready to go

Do not use contracts.

Do not belong to a breed club.

Collect Backyard Breeder ID within 14 days

Many backyard breeders do not list a phone number.

Use Ebay’s email feature to contact breeder.

Ads expire. Collect identification within 14 days.

Collect seller name, phone number and address, if possible.

Cell phone numbers can not be linked to a name and address easily.

Try to collect address information via email correspondence with the seller.

OVERVIEW

Backyard Breeder Reporting Tool

Reporting Tool

Once ads have been collected over a period of time in the tracking tool, seller profiles can be created.

The Reporting Tool is designed for Police and Animal Control to store seller profiles and track investigations.

Seller profiles will include name, address, all phone numbers, all advertising outlets, and all breeds.

Pivot tables can be created to list all ads from one seller.

Pivot tables can be created to list all potential backyard breeders operating in a area code, city, or Animal Control jurisdiction.

Breaking down a phone number

(616) 511-1212

Area code-Prefix-Line number

Prefix can sometimes be used to give you an idea of where someone is calling from.

Prefix use to refer to the specific switch that a phone line connected to.

When computerized switches were developed, it allowed for a customer’s number to be moved to a different switch without having to change any part of the number.

Tracking phone numbers

Use reverse phone searches (i.e. Whitepages.com)

Is it connected to another phone number in an advertisement?

Landlines are usually tied to a name and address.

Try calling the phone number.

Police or animal control can help identify sellers.

Track the number to the company that owns the number and subpoena the company to

get the owner information.

Problems with tracking phone numbers

Not all phone numbers are listed.

More people than ever are using cell phones.

Prepaid or disposable cell phones.

An area code may cover a large area.

Devices like magic jack allow you to select an area code from outside of where you live.

For example, you may live in the 920 area code, but with magic jack you can select the 414 area code.

Website Number (Cell): 248-249-3544

TBD Phone Number: 248-601-0585

Magic Jack Number: 586-329-6316

Cabin in Forestville: 989-864-3075

Craigslist Number: 616-824-7614

Aliases:Joseph Waquinto

Joseph Iaquinto

Kevin Lockridge

Joe Guido

Robert Kramer

James Barton

Joe Laquinto

Kevin Kill (vanity name in email)

Bill Johnson (Feb 21 call to Lin Gregory)

Anthony

Analyzing the Information

RED FLAGS

Phone numbers pops up numerous times over the course of a few months (multiple litters)

Phone number pops up for multiple breeds. HUGE RED FLAG

Multiple phone numbers used in AD

Phone number prefix is Out Of State

Phone number Prefix does not match advertising area.

Advertising in multiple locations

Using multiple Ebay accounts

Multiple listings with different names (aliases)

Designer/Teacups/HypoAllerg/ExtremeBully/Tiny/TeddyBears/Parti

Selling a long time (Registered Over 2 Years)

How to file complaints First check with Animal Control:

1. Are the dogs individually licensed (min requirement)?

How many?

If not, file compliant.

2. Is there a county kennel license?

Some breeders choose to have a county kennel license instead of individual tags.

If so, how many dogs?

3. Ask for animal welfare check if photos are disturbing.

Check with the City or Township:

1. Is a Special Use Permit or deviation required?

2. Is there a limit on the number of dogs?

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Meeting in the parking lot

Need license plate number.

Make & Model of car.

Can undercover officer follow car?

Breeders or dealers who deal in parking lots will generally live within a mile of where they are meeting.

Is the Breeder acting suspiciously?

Will the breeder show you the parents of the puppy?

Will they invite you into the house?

Meeting in a parking lot should set off RED FLAG.

Are there video camera’s monitoring the front door?

The owner has been identified. Now what?

Is the owner in your jurisdiction?

Is the owner a person or a store?If it’s a store, pet store laws apply.

Has the owner been investigated before?

How do you want to start the investigation?

Go undercover as a buyer

Inform owner a complaint has been made about them

Inform owner you are aware they are selling dogs

Investigating the Breeder/Dealer

If you are entering private property without the owner’s permission, you will probably need a search warrant.

House

Garage

Shed

Backyard

Etc.

Investigating the Breeder/Dealer (cont.)

Do they have clean fresh water?

Do they have fresh food?

Are the animals in good physical shape?

Are they severely matted?

Is their fur yellow?

Are their any physical deformities?

Questions???

REFERENCE

Know the Laws

Michigan Laws Related to Dog Kennels

Type Required? Inspections Laws

USDA Licensing

When gross sales are over $500

per year and selling “wholesale”.

A person with 3 or less breeding

females is exempt. Internet

sellers are currently exempt.

Annual Animal Welfare Act

County Kennel

Licensing

<Not Required> Annual, if county has resources. Dog Law of 1919, Act 339 of

1919,287.270, “Kennel” defined;

kennel license; fee; tags; certificate;

rules; inspection; exception, Sec. 10.

MDARD Regulation 129 – Dog Kennels.

Some counties have their own dog

kennel ordinances.

Township/City

Permits and Licenses

Varies. Special Use Permits are

often required for land use

purposes per Zoning Districts.

Urban townships often have more

strict requirements and adequate

enforcement. Rural area areas are

usually complaint driven.

Varies. Often do not include animal

care standards. Land use only. Initial

inspections and renewals.

Varies depending on local ordinances.

Often do not include animal care

standards, but they can set limits on

the number of dogs for noise and land

impact reasons: fencing for noise

reduction, minimum feet from road,

adequate sanitation removal, and

building requirements.

Individual Licensing

Required for any dog 6 months

old or over.

<Not Required> Dog Law of 1919, Act 339 of 1919,

MCL 287.262,Dogs; licensing, tags,

leashes, Sec. 2

Federal Law

Animal Welfare Act-regulates the sale of domesticated species.

Commercial Breeders

Backyard Breeders

Brokers

Bunchers

Pet Stores

Federal Animal Welfare Act does not currently regulate dogs and cats sold over the internet.

Federal Law

Animal Welfare Act covers:

Water

Food

Veterinary care

Training/exercise

Space/Proper shelter from the elements

# of employees

Cleanliness of the cages

Transportation requirements

Federal Law

Licenses

Class A-Covers those who only breed and raise animals on that individual’s premises

Class B-In addition to what’s allowed from Class A, these individuals can negotiate, purchase, resell, or transport regulated animals that aren’t bred on his or her property.

State LawsMany states have their own laws

Wisconsin Act 90

Requires licensing and inspection for dog breeders and other businesses that sell dogs or offer dogs for adoption (including animal shelters)

Sets food and watering requirements, space requirements, exercise requirements, health and veterinary care requirements, etc.

Pennsylvania Act 119

State laws generally require more space and have stricter exercise requirements than the Federal Animal Welfare Act.

The Puppy Protection Act

Senate Bills 117/118 Sponsors Steven Bieda - (primary), Rick Jones, Michael Kowall, Glenn Anderson, John Proos, John Pappageorge, James Marleau

Provide guidelines for housing, sanitary conditions, enclosure space, exercise, and veterinary care of dogs.

Upper limit of intact breeding dogs = 50

Launched by Michigan Humane Society

Supported by the Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers, Puppy Mill Awareness, and the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association

Will protect dogs in large-scale breeding

facilities (15 or more intact females).

2012 Allegan Breeder

with 350+ dogs

Local Laws

City of ChattanoogaSections 7-33 and 7-34

7-34d states “Facilities of any of the above permit applicants and registered rescue organizations will be subject to inspection by Animal Service Officers for compliance with this chapter’s and the permit’s minimum standards.”

7-34f states “Any advertisements for the sale, bartering or adoption of animals covered by these permits shall state the breeder or pet dealer permit number, if applicable, in such advertisement. Violations of this requirement shall be subject to a fine of $50.00 per occurrence.”

More TrainingEbay Tracking Tool

Step-by-step Instructions

Monday, July 29th 6:30 p.m.

Puppy Mill Awareness HQ

Clarkston, Mi

Next WebinarLaunching Pet Store Campaigns, Petitions

and Protesting

Tuesday, July 23rd 6:30 p.m.

Saturday July 27th 8:30 a.m.

2 hour + 30 min Q&A

The purpose of this webinar is to train animal advocates how to

launch pet store campaigns, leverage online petitions, and hold

effective protests. Launching a pet store campaign involves

researching the stores suppliers, gathering inspection reports, filing

complaints and educating the public. Launching an online petition

using Change.org can find local supporters and gain media attention.

Protesting is usually a last resort, but can be a very effective way to reach the stores customers and gain media attention.

More Webinars

Filing Animal Neglect Complaints – Understanding the Laws in MichiganTuesday, August 6th 6:30 p.m.

Saturday August 10th 8:30 a.m.

1 hr + 30 min Q&A

A Rescues Code of Ethics – Ending the CycleTuesday, September 10th, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday September 14th 8:30 a.m.

1 hr + 1 hr Q&A

The Puppy Friendly Pet Store (HSUS) and Mall ProjectTuesday, October 8th, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday October 12th 14th 8:30 a.m.

1 hr + 30 min Q&A

tracking backyard breeders on ebay...

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