At the meeting at the Oklahoma State Capitol Building, there were about 9 people around the conference table, and about 15 reporters, and about 10 other people, the public, I presume. I signed in, and in another few minutes, noticed that I recognized one of the vets,
that was there from Oklahoma State University. It was Dr. John Hoover, a vet, that would
occasionally assist Dr. Paul Woods, with our Nicholas, back when he was being treated for lymphoma, at OSU. I re-introduced myself to him, and he said,"Ah, yes..I remember Nicholas..what a sad day that was, when we lost him." Well, the first thing to happen, was, that we all introduced ourselves, and here is what I said, when it was my turn. "Hello,I am Robin Pressnall, and I am just a person. (room giggles)..I mean..I am a lay person. I am not a vet or a breeder, but just a volunteer rescue person, primarily for breed Bichon Frise. The majority of my work, is rescuing the "culled" dogs, from the puppy mills, of Missouri. 

A Senator interupts and says,"Culled?" 

"Yes", I explained."You see, when a female or a male dog, is no longer producing, at the rate, that they used to, or if they have a health problem, those dogs are 'culled', (thrown away). Myself and many others, are involved in the rescue and transportation to new foster
homes, for these dogs, until they can be spayed or neutered, and placed in homes." 

Then Senator Long, asked the vets, to give a definition of what they thought a "puppy mill"
was.  I heard these things:

"Mass production, with dirty conditions."

"Assembly line production of puppies, that aren't treated well."

Then it was my turn to give a definition. Well, I sure didn't want to show up the vets, so I carefully said, "Well, let me share with you the things we see in common with most of the places where our rescues come from...just from a rescuers prospective....and I realize that the term "Puppy Mill" is a slang term, and there is no proper definition, for instance in
Webster's Dictionary. We tend to see RURAL properties, hidden ..away from the city streets. We see,many breeds being bred at once, often times over 7 different breeds, and we have seen as many as 23 different breeds. We see older dogs, whose teeth have rotted out, due to poor nutrition, at least that is what the vets have told us. We have never had a puppy mill dog, who didn't need major dental work, because of poor teeth. We see, dogs, with feet, who have become distorted, because they have been raised on wire, all of their lives, and they are actually AFRAID of grass." (The room was dead quiet now, and I got a little frightened, because I realized, that a room full of Senators, and Veterinarians, including the State Veterinarian, were listening to my every word. I prayed not to say something stupid, as I continued). "We see dogs with the "look"...the look of being almost catatonic, because they have not been around people, and they are scared to death. Sometimes, they are so terrified, that they bite, out of fear. These are known as the "fear biters."  We see uteruses, from the females, that we have spayed, that turn to jelly, when removed, because the bitch has basically been used up..and that was why she couldn't get pregnant any more, and probably why she has ended up in rescue. We see evidence, that surgery has been
performed, to deliver puppies..and NOT by a vet, so we don't know if the proper anethesia was used.  We see small dogs, with large holes, the size of nickles, in their ears, where the cattle tag, has been stamped, to identify them for auctions."

I am now interupted by a different Senator, who asks,"Auctions?...What's that, and have you ever been to one?"

I answer him, and say,"Auctions, are where the kennels, will try to resell "stock", to other kennels. They are aware that rescue people come to these things too. No, I have never been ... because I am not strong enough. I would be in the jail, if I were to go." (I try to smile) At that very moment, I Iooked down at my notes, and in front of me, was the page about the
auctions. I read aloud from the page,"Not a Tooth left in her head," Bawled the Autioneer,"But That's not the part that breeds", he laughed."

I saw people almost shaking their heads in disbelief. Then I finished by saying,"Basically, we see dogs in very poor conditions, sometimes so bad,that I would have given anything to have a vet with a needle there, just to let them escape from their misery, and that has to be
bad...for me to say that." 

Then Senator Long asked if anyone knew how many mills we had in Oklahoma....no one knew. The room sat silent. He then points to me and says, "Mrs. Pressnall has some information about that for us, I believe."

Great..Here I go...talking again.

"Well," I said, "I pulled up some information from the Internet, and thanks to the Freedom of Imformation Act, all of this is available to the public now...we have 324 USDA licensed "Class A" dealers."

A Senator asks,"What's that?"

The State Vet answers by saying, "A license to sell to wholesalers..or brokers."

They all nod their heads.

"These are the people who are licensed to sell to the brokers..so that the puppies can be sold to retail establishments, like pet shops.

The pet shops purchase them from the brokers, "USDA Class B licensees".

"So", someone asks."Are you saying that we have 324 puppy mills?"

"No," I say smiling and praying as my heart starts to beat faster and faster, "I am just saying that 324 kennels are licensed, in Oklahoma, to sell to wholesalers. Maybe there is some other reason, that they have this type of license, and I just may not know what it
is." I try to look innocent.

Then it is discussed, that 14 other states have Puppy Lemon Laws...and do we need one? It is also discussed, about the possibility of requiring breeders to put information with their name and phone number and a STREET address, with directions to their kennels, on the papers, when puppies are purchased from a pet shop, so that the consumer can see where
they came from, and have an avenue, in which to turn in case of death or congenital illness. One of the vets then told the group, that many Oklahoma Puppies, may end up on a truck for Philly or New York, and how would we regulate that? One of the vets was concerned about the back yard breeders, and it was sort of decided, by the Senators, that there really is no way at all to regulate what private citizens do, because they do have a right to breed their dogs, and to sell them, and this meeting is to study the puppy mills, or mass production places. I remained quiet, feeling like I had spoken so much already.

We agreed to come back in a couple of weeks, and look at the present laws, on the books, under "Animal Cruelty", and to study the papers we had been given about the laws in the 14 states, that had "Lemon Laws", and see if we thought we could do anything like they have done.  It also was discussed, about the possibilty, of having the state livestock inspectors, also inspect any dog kennels, when and only when, "formal complaints" were filed.

I piped up softly.... "Uh excuse me, we may have a problem here.. the thing is..that these places are often, out in the boonies..and there IS no one to complain. Also, the other problem is, that people are afraid, if they DO know something, because, sometimes, well, uh, er, sometimes, these people can be sort of unsavory types of critters"...(The room explodes in laughter, as I realize, that I have just sounded like "Elly Mae Clampett", and
called the millers,"Critters"...LOL..)

The State Vet holds up a paper, which was put together back in 1991, the first time it was tried...to get legislation, to better the conditions of the dogs, forced to live their lives in the mills.  It was the proposed punishment for breaking the proposed laws..He reads something like..,"There shall be a $5000 fine, to any kennel who refuses a State inspector. There
shall be a $10,000 fine to any person who uses force, or a weapon, to keep an inspector from entering the premises, and FINALLY..the penalty for.."And if they should KILL the inspectors.."..Well the room is rolling now..but the point has definately gotten across...that this could be hazardous to the health of some of the potential inspectors.

We set another meeting date, (which I shall study dilgently..lol..) and will come back to discuss, what we have had a chance to read, ect. After it was over, is when my head began to spin. I felt like I was surrounded..by microphones and cameras. Reporters saying, "Please spell your name. Where are you from and who are you with?" I answered and said, I am with no one. I am just one of the many volunteer rescuers, blah , blah, blah..I then did interviews, after being signaled by Sen. Long, that it was ok, with all of the news stations in OKC..and then the newspapers had their chance at me. I tried to say NOTHING which could be taken out of context, or misconstrued. I spoke slowly and deliberately. I felt all of your
prayers, and hope I have done well by all of you. I am sure that tomorrow's paper, in OKC will have more. Thanks for all of the prayers, again and more later.

Love,
Robin Pressnall

If you would like to comment on this to her, Robin's email is Pup3@aol.com 

Linda Lathrop sent this to MOreRescue - She is very proud of her friend Robin and I'm sure we all agree.. GREAT JOB!