Justice for Dogs Sold during the Buckeye Dog Auction

IMPORTANT UPDATE:  A HUGE thanks to those of you who signed our Petition, made personal calls and wrote letters to the CEO, Robert Restrepo, Jr.  Because of YOU, State Auto has made the decision to discontinue their relationship with the Buckeye Dog Auction effective June 30, 2007! 

Since 2003, the Buckeye Dog Auction in Millersburg, OH has grown into anything but run-of-the-mill.  Most (if not all) breeders who participate in this event are raising large numbers of puppies for profit in mills - mass dog breeding establishments with living conditions characterized by overcrowding, filth, and lack of food, water, shelter and little to no veterinary care.  Many of these puppies and adult dogs are hauled to the auction in tractor trailers like domestic livestock and some breeds are able to fetch more than a few thousand dollars, while others can net hundreds of dollars for the seller. 

By signing this petition, you are asking Robert Restrepo, Jr., Chairman, CEO and President of State Auto Mutual Insurance Company, to terminate the auction bond (Certificate #  6913179) for this event effective immediately.

For more information concerning this event, please visit 
http://BanOhioDogAuctions.com/


CONTACTS TO VOICE YOUR OPINION:

Robert Restrepo, Jr.
Chairman, CEO and President
State Auto Mutual Insurance Company
518 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH  43215
Phone: 614-464-5000
Toll-Free: 800-444-9950
Fax: 614-719-0143
http://www.stateauto.com/

Kyle Anderson
Director, Media Relations
State Auto Mutual Insurance Company
518 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH  43215
Phone: 614-464-5000
Toll-Free: 800-444-9950
Fax: 614-719-0143
kyle.anderson@stateauto.com

To Locate a State Auto agent near you:
http://www.stateauto.com/stateAuto/LocateAgent/locatenew.asp

Thomas W. Sharp
Assistant Vice President, Compliance
The American Kennel Club (AKC)
E-mail: TWS@akc.org

LIST OF BREEDERS AT THE 8/26 AUCTION:

Aaron Miller
Abe L. Yoder
Adrian Burkholder
Albert Stutzman
Albert Stutzman
Ammon Buckholder
Andy J. Yoder
Anna Hensel
Annette Newswanger
Benjamin Oberholtzer
Berlin
Pets
Country View Pets
Crosco Acres
Da-Le Kennel
Dan and Jacob Bowman
Daniel Hochstetler
Daniel Kline
Daniel Kline
Daniel Schlabach
David D. Yoder
David Hershberger

David M. Miller
Dennis Hershberger

Eli J. Miller
Eli J. Yoder
Eli N. Hershberger

Emanuel M. Yoder
Ervin A. Yoder
Ervin J. Miller
Ferman Schlabach
Glenda Thompson
Gloria Whitmer
Harold Neuhart
Harvey Burkholder
Harvey Yoder
Henry E. Mast
Jacob Swartzentruber
James Mullet
Jason Schlabach
J-Mar Kennel
Joe Yoder
John Garman
John Garman
John Oren Miller, Jr.
Joseph L. Hershberger

Joseph Miller
Katie A. Yoder
Leroy A. Troyer
Levi A. Miller
Levi D. Troyer
Levi J. Miller
Marlin A,. Troyer
Marvin A. Graber
Matthew Hostetler
Mervin Raber
Michelle Picknell
Mose A. Schlabach
Mose Beachy
Mose Hershberger

Nelson Hershberger
Owen R. Hershberger
Paul E. Yoder
Phillip Geiser
Pine Grove Kennel
PPF Farms
Raber's Kennel
Reuben K. Swarey
Reuben L. Troyer
Reuben Schlabach
Reuben's Swarztentruber
Robert Brady
Robert Coblentz
Robert M. Yoder
Roman R. Miller
Rondell Lepley
Roy A., Yoder
Roy D. Yoder
Samuel Miller
Steven H. Yoder
Steven R. Troyer
Vernon
E., Yoder
Vernon
Weaver
Walk's Pups
Wayne Miller
Dear Mr. Restrep, Jr.:

We are signing this Petition as concerned citizens who have recently learned of your company’s business relationship with Ervin Raber, Manager of the Buckeye Dog Auction.  As proud owners and lovers of companion pets, we respectfully request that you terminate the auction bond issued for this event due to the following:

1.     Since 2004, the Buckeye Dog Auction in Millersburg, OH has grown into anything but run of the mill.  The majority of breeders from Holmes, Tuscarawas and Coshocton counties who participate in this event are raising large numbers of puppies for profit in mills - mass dog breeding establishments with living conditions characterized by overcrowding, filth, and lack of food, water and little to no veterinary care.  Many of these puppies and adult dogs are hauled to the auction in tractor trailers (which is against USDA regulations), and some breeds are able to fetch more than a few thousand dollars, while others can net hundreds of dollars for the seller. 

2.     In November 2005, Mr. Raber was quoted as saying to the New Philadelphia Times Reporter, “I am currently the president of the Ohio Pro Dog Breeders Assn. and in our opinion there is no such thing as a puppy mill."  Sadly, there is much compelling evidence to prove otherwise.  In an undercover investigation conducted by Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS), many of the licensed dog breeding and brokering facilities represented at the Buckeye Dog Auction were found to be in clear violation of USDA regulations -
http://www.caps-web.org/240x192x240_ohio_pennsylvania.php.

3.     Dog auctions are illegal in Pennsylvania, so many of those state’s mill breeders travel two hours west to Holmes County, where the Buckeye Dog Auction is legal.  In May 2006, undercover investigations conducted by WTAE-TV Channel 4 Action News reporter Sheldon Ingram, revealed evidence that dogs brought to this sale are “fed and bred” – they eat and relieve themselves in the same 2-by-2-foot cage for about eight years until their breeding days are done. -
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/9161328/detail.html.  

4.     In August 2006, Mose Hershberger, a breeder from Clark Township who annually participates in the Buckeye Dog Auction, was quoted as saying to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "Dogs are livestock.”  Sadly, it is because of this mindset that Ohio is quickly gaining the reputation as the puppy mill capital of the Midwest.

5.     The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) strongly opposes the sale, through pet shops and similar outlets, of puppies and dogs from mass-breeding establishments such as those represented at the Buckeye Dog Auction. Unfortunately, a dog's lifespan is often longer than a consumer's desire to maintain their "product."  As a result, millions of dogs are sent to animal shelters every year, where roughly half will be euthanized. The HSUS estimates that one in four of the dogs that enter U.S. animal shelters is purebred -
http://www.hsus.org/pets/issues_affecting_our_pets/get_the_facts_on_puppy_mills/index.html

Mr. Restrepo, it is our belief that dogs offer many gifts to the human race, the greatest of which is serving as a companion to people who have experienced a debilitating accident or injury.

The next Buckeye Dog Auction is scheduled for Saturday, August 26, 2006 with additional auctions scheduled for October 7, 2006 and November 25, 2006. 

As Forbes magazine’s choice as the 2006 “Best Managed” Insurance company in America, please show that you are against the business practices of these breeders by canceling coverage for this event effective immediately.
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