Please sign petitions to end quarterly dog auctions in Ohio

To the Editor:

For everyone who loves dogs and doesn't believe in inhumane treatment of animals, your signature is requested! For two years some determined folks have tried to gather 150,000 signatures of registered voters. We have until Jan. 20 to reach this goal, and we're getting closer. The purpose is to gather enough of those signatures to get a ballot measure proposed so that dog auctions that occur four times a year in Ohio can finally end.

The dog auctions provide unscrupulous puppy mill owners with breeding dogs for a very low cost. These dogs are trucked in even from other states and sometimes in semi-trucks with no heat, and then auctioned off to other puppy mill breeders. They live in pathetic conditions and sometimes with no vet care for the remainder of their lives. No reputable breeder would acquire a breeding dog in this inhumane manner, nor sell a dog this way!

If you would like to sign this petition, please stop by Friendly Paws on East State Street to sign before Jan. 20. You must be a registered Athens County voter for your signature to count. Thank you for taking time to do the right thing for man's best friend.

Linda Sauer
Athens