GSD Club of America Votes In Andrew Hunte As A Member!
Jan. 07 Just last weekend the Board of Directors of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America voted (9 for, 8 against) to allow Andrew Hunte of the infamous Hunte Corporation, the largest wholesaler of pet shop puppies in the USA, in as a member of the National Breed (Parent) club. This was after written objections from a good percentage of the membership.
We are told Mr. Hunte was provided with copies of all the written objections and was then invited to present rebuttal to the Board which met in secret session behind closed doors. It seems that most GSDCA Board meetings are open to members and visitors so this was unusual. Mr. Hunte brought gifts (handouts carrying the Hunte Corporation logo), for each of the Board Members. He was accompanied by an individual thought to be his attorney. Hunte extolled the virtues of Hunte Corporation's facilities and the lovely way it cares for its puppies. The biggest news brag was about his new incinerator, which is to take the place of what was alleged to be nothing more than a huge ditch at the back of the corporate property. As was seen on TV in a different puppy mill expose, instead of shoveling dead dogs and puppies into the ditch, the bodies can be disposed of in the new incinerator. We’re told that one of the Directors was so sickened by the incinerator dialog and the pride with which the announcement was made that he was unable to sit through Hunte's presentation of his virtues.
Hunte was allowed to speak for 45 minutes whereupon the Board voted, the result being that the man who holds the distinction of being the nation’s largest distributor of puppy mill produce is now a member of one of the largest (and formerly, most respected) breed clubs in the country. The Board ignored the wishes of the membership, the board citing the risk of being sued as an excuse. There seems to have been some discussion in defense of Hunte which proclaimed him as "he is not a puppy miller, just a broker." That may be true; he is indeed a wholesaler who also claims to be a breeder and serious exhibitor. Yes, he has dogs being shown by top handlers.
In fact, AKC has welcomed the Hunte operation which is said to generate nearly a million registrations per year. Therefore it is apparently fine for a breed club to welcome him, too.
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