According to WQOW TV-18 News Anchor Jamie Paige, Clark County is the “puppy mill capital” of Wisconsin – a title earned by the existence of more than 20 mills throughout the county. Largely run by area Amish and Mennonite communities, the mills house up to hundreds of dogs in cages and pens until they can be bred and sold at auctions for profit, she said. As Paige explained, the conditions of these mills are questionable at best, a fact she witnessed firsthand while covering a Thorpe auction in September 2007. “It was very eye-opening, one of the worst things I’ve ever seen,” Paige recalled, describing sick-looking animals that shied away from human contact. “I was shocked for a few reasons: one, that this could ever go on, and two, that this has gone on for as long as it has.” On Tuesday, Feb. 24, Paige will present five proposals to the Clark County Board in an effort to increase mill regulation. If passed, the legislation would create a Dog Breeder License Act, prohibit those convicted of animal cruelty crimes from obtaining breeding licenses, require pet stores and breeders to provide buyers with full medical histories, establish firmer penalties for those who mistreat dogs, and of course, significantly improve mill conditions. Paige will continue speaking before county boards and other officials with the hope of eventually passing statewide legislation – and she needs the help of others. “I am doing this because if I turn my head and do nothing, I am no better than the people who are mistreating these animals,” said Paige. “(So) contact your local lawmakers and become educated about mills… The more people speak up, the louder our message is heard.” If you have questions, contact Jamie at jpaige@wqow.com or contact your local humane society.

UPDATE: Clark County has denied Paige's request to be on the agenda for the February 24th board meeting.

UPDATE2: Jamie Paige says, “I have great news, I just got off the phone with Jeff Smith, an area legislature who has just told me he plans to present Wisconsin's next Puppy Mill Bill on March 11th. The bill will help put an end to dogs being bred in horrific conditions.

So here's what all you need to know. The Bill will be presented at the next Thorp Dog Auction. For more information about the auction, you can log onto No Wisconsin Puppy Mill or the Clark County Humane Society's website.

Show up on the 11th to help support our lawmakers efforts.

More background, I talked with the Chair of the Clark County Board yesterday, I had requested some firm numbers of dogs that are being bred on farms in his county. One farm has 350 dogs, another one has 220 dogs!”