The address is:
Miami Herald
One Herald Plaza
Miami, FL 33132
Nikki Waller was the writer. Or you could just address it to "Editor". I'd love to see several letters on this subject go to that paper....as well as to your local paper. Here's the letter I wrote.
Ms. Waller,
Your article on “Tiny pooches…” January 10, 2005 was picked up by our Hearst paper, The (San Antonio) Express-News today. I read it with dismay because what happened with the Dalmatian breed after “101 Dalmatians” will happen with these small breeds as well. Greedy people will start up new puppymills and expand existing operations, heap untold cruelty upon these breeding animals to turn out volumes of genetically unsound and ill puppies for the public appetite for “accessories”. Then when they realize that these are real animals that need real care they will dump them on shelters, side of the road or just neglect them.
Do not be fooled by people like Ms. Bonfini when she says she refuses to sell puppies to people who seek teacups as purse adornments. First of all, there is no such thing as a Teacup in the Poodle, Maltese, Yorkie or Pomeranian breeds. So-called teacups are out of standard for these breeds. She is in business to make money and it would have to be proven to me that she does not purchase from puppymills. No legitimate, reputable breeder will sell through petstores, brokers, newspaper ads or breed anything called a Teacup.
This is my challenge to you. Find out. Have someone go to her shop and become interested in a teacup. Ask to see the ancestry papers for the dog’s bloodline and breeders. Take those breeders names and match them against the USDA list of breeders at
www.prisonersofgreed.org/lista02.pdf (brokers) and
www.prisonersofgreed.org/listb02.pdf (breeders). If any of them show up on either list, they are most like brokering dogs from puppymills or are puppymill breeding operations.
Now go to
www.prisonersofgreed.org, peruse the site and do these vulnerable animals a real favor and write about them. You cannot imagine the cruelty, heartache and pain perpetuated by these unscrupulous and greedy breeders. USDA inspection is non-existent for these operations. USDA inspectors focus on food supply animal breeding operations because they just don’t have the manpower to enforce the regulations for this segment of the industry.
Also, check out
www.spoiledmaltese.com. This website has a forum of Maltese owners who discuss a number of topics relating to this particular breed. You will learn much about the results of unscrupulous breeding. Please do your utmost to get this story done.
With these foolish Pop Tarts popularizing these small breeds and the “Teacup” designation their equally foolish fans will likewise imitate them and drive demand for these breeds that are unsuitable for most people. I know. I have a Maltese and he is nothing at all like the Lab mix I had before. It’s a whole different lifestyle because these dogs are true companion dogs and true lap-dogs. This means that a lap is where they consider their life is to be lived.
If you are unmoved after viewing the Prisoners of Greed website, then you need a heart transplant. If you wish to contact me I am more than willing to assist in any way I can.
Regards,
