Came across this on the Dogster Blog and had to pass it along! Please, if you are a VA resident, sign the petition!! There are enough abused, neglect and cruelly treated dogs out there!  Do we need to help add to that!?  By not doing anything you are showing tacit approval when it would be so easy just to take this small step!

If you’re not a VA resident, please email, cross post, add to your websites, blogs, MySpace profiles!  Get the words out!!

Hi everyone,
Please review the online petition to oppose the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to rebuild and operate a puppy mill business in Southwestern Virginia. In March, Mr Ivan Schmucker, Sr. allowed his clandestine puppy mill operation (unknown to county residents) to burn to the ground killing all 192 dogs and puppies. The farm does not have electricity or running water on the property.

The applicant did not have the required CUP to run a puppy mill on his property zoned Agricultural. He still has 100 + breeding dogs on his property in outside cages. He has applied for a CUP and it will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors in June. If you are in Virginia and can make the Board of Supervisors meetings in May and June, please do so to show your support and opposition. Contact me directly for information and directions at vapaws@swva.net.

Please sign the petition and forward to anyone and everyone you know that loves animals. We would like to fill it up with Bland County residents though having support nationwide will be useful for the Bland County Administration and Planning Commission to see how much the world cares about stamping out the mass breeding facilities that breed so much misery!

To sign the petition, follow this link.

Thanks for your support!
Lila
Lila Borge Wills, President
VA PAWS
Pilot, VA 24138
president@vapaws.org

If you appreciate my work, why don't you buy my dog a bone? :)
It is only through the kind and generous donations of those who care that I can continue my work, raise awareness and be a voice for those who have no voice of their own. You'll also receive a lovely gift as a token of my appreciation
"Responsible Dog Ownership - Essential Tips for Every Dog Lover"