Page 22 - ShowSight Presents- The American Eskimo Dog

FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR EMERITUS
Readers: I had hesitated to publish much about Joan Huber’s situation until I had all facts
checked and all involved parties’ assent so I was very happy to get the following. This magazine was already on press when I received the letter below, but I was able to make a last-minute change and include it. —Joe McGinnis
Dear Mr. McGinnis,
I appreciate your contacting me directly prior to publishing my viral email to my Club members in your magazine. As I explained, this was a private email on a proprietary Club list which was shared by a Club member in violation of Club policy and was never meant for public consumption. That said, it seems important now to share with the Fancy the position of the American Miniature Schnauzer Club regarding Joan’s tragic situation.
Cropping or not cropping Miniature Schnauzers, as with many other breeds, has always been a breeder decision. Our Standard allows both styles to be exhibited without bias. We do not consider ear cropping to be animal cruelty when it is done in a Medical facility by a licensed Veterinarian or under their super- vision. The puppies show no ill effects and are usually up and eating and playing within a very short time period.
We do not, however, advocate cropping when medical considerations are not met. This is not to say that Joan did not follow appropriate procedures when cropping. The surgery was done in a sterile manner, the puppies were anesthetized according to their weight and size, and the procedure was done humanely and quickly. But she lives in Pennsylvania and she is not a Vet.
She is an artist and has refined a technique for the procedure that few Vets ever accomplish. Our hope and hers is that Veterinarians who are interested in learning the art will reach out to her and allow her to teach them how to do it correctly and aesthetically.
I have spoken with Joan on numerous occasions and would like to share with your readers what her sit- uation is today, with her permission. She was convicted of 8 counts of Animal Cruelty, cutting off dog’s ears, in March of this year, after an employee turned her in to the Animal Control Police. In Pennsylvania, practicing medicine without a license, which was what her charge was, is considered Animal Cruelty. On advice of her attorney, Joan agreed to a plea to Animal Cruelty, which kept her out of jail for 2 years, but removed her Kennel license, forced her to reduce the number of dogs she owns to 2 5 , and placed her on Parole for two years. The Court determined that she had left the state (to go to a dog show), without noti- fying her Parole Officer (a charge she denies), and thus violated her 2 year parole. This supposed violation allowed them to gain access to her home and they have to date, confiscated 2 0 dogs and neutered and placed them. They have access to her records, and have gone so far as to confiscate dogs placed with other breeders on breeding contracts.
Her legal troubles continue. Joan is on house arrest, wearing an ankle bracelet, with no end in sight. The Judge has continued the case, and has not scheduled upcoming court dates. Joan has no income, and no ability to make any, as she has bred, shown, handled, boarded and groomed dogs for over 6 0 years and all these are now denied to her. She will soon be 8 2 years old, has little or no Social Security as she has been self employed her whole life, and now, no way to support herself.
This is a hard situation for Joan and for the AMSC. While we support to right to decide to crop or not, we cannot support breaking the law. Joan is a friend. She was one of our oldest active breeders and is respon- sible for a pedigree line that goes back 6 0 or more years. Her dogs have formed the backbone of many successful lines of show dogs. She has supported research and has never feared to step up when she had a problem and say “OK, this is what has happened, let’s fix it!” The breed and the fancy will miss her. But she did break the law, and in this current environment, we have to acknowledge that fact.
I hope that the fancy continues to “have her back” as they have done during the past few weeks. She will need that support in the upcoming months, both financially and emotionally. She told me last night that the outpouring of kindness was never something that she could have anticipated or expected and that she is extremely grateful. Let’s all hope that things turn out better for her as time goes on.
Thank you for your interest and concern.
270 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2017
Sincerely,
Carole Luke Weinberger
President, American Miniature Schnauzer Club