Sheri Malone grooms one her dogs, one of three Yorkshire Terriers bred from her Rockford home. A warm and fun environment far from a place like this.
"Puppy mills are people who will breed just to make money. They're not out for welfare of animals," Malone said.
These mass breeding grounds returned to the spot light Thursday. The Humane Society of the United States says Petland bought almost 17,000 dogs from these places after an 8-month undercover investigation.
"They just keep them in pens and sometimes they keep multiple dogs in them," Malone said.
Malone, President of the Rockford Freeport Illinois Kennel Club, links these conditions to the money driven agenda at puppy mills. The Humane Society's report revealed things like poor medical attention and filthy pens.
So what is Petland saying about all this? Well locally the owner of the Cherry Valley store wouldn't speak on camera. But he assured 23 News that the dogs inside don't come from puppy mills.
And in a website statement, Petland called the report "sensational" and ploy to increase donations for the Humane Society. They say they don't support substandard breeding and follow federal care guidelines.
Barking back in defense while opponents claw away toward better breeding.
The Humane Society visited 21 Petland stores and 35 puppy mills as part its investigation. The group also argues Petland sometimes hides the origin of its puppies to customers.
The owner of the local Petland also says he personally visits all his breeders, in places like Rockford, Belvidere and Sterling. He meets their veterinarians too and does his part to ensure healthy pets for customers. So it appears these accusations about puppy mills aren't playing out in our neck of the woods.