LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.

UPDATE: Your voice was heard! At the Winona County Board meeting held October 25, the county board in a majority vote (4-5) voted yes to proceed with a formal discussion of industrial dog breeding facilities (puppy mills) in their county. The county attorney's office presented options for the board to consider. Commissioner Olson made the motion to move forward with discussion, delegating the study to be done by the Planning Commission. Commissioner Olson stated," This was loud and clear. We heard from the public. It's democracy in action. This is about the dogs." Due to limited staff and upcoming holidays, the study will begin in February 2023.

Commissioner Marie Kovesci seconded the motion, followed by Commissioner Chris Meyer who too supported the motion. Commissioner Marcia Ward also voted yes; however, she explained that her yes vote was to prove to others how wonderful the breeders are. Commissioner Steve Jacob voted no and stated that the breeding facilities are in his district. He believes "they are good people and are doing a service for the community." (Some council members have changed due to the November 2022 elections; see below.)

Thanks to everyone who attended the meeting and testified, and who signed the signed petitions.

READ MORE: Scroll below for more information and to find your district and commissioner. 

UPDATE: The Winona County Board agreed to discuss the issue of industrial dog breeding kennels that mass produce puppies. This discussion has been delegated to the Planning Commission. The county attorney's office proposed parameters for the discussion, which may be refined as the issue progresses.

• DISCUSSION — Purpose of a formal discussion is for the county to better understand industrial dog breeding facilities and their impact on the welfare of dogs; and to assess the county's current permits, permit conditions, and compliance measures for these facilities. We believe this is about the humane treatment of animals and the public's interest in this issue.

• PARTICIPANTS — In addition to county, state, and federal staff, a public hearing will be held which will allow the public and subject experts, including veterinarians, animal behavioral specialists, animal shelters and rescues, consumers, and the public, to present information on canine health and well-being. We believe all voices must be heard, not just government personnel or those who make money off of the dogs.

• DECISIONS — It is hoped that this discussion will better inform the board about its role in the mass production of puppies and guide decisions for: 1) a ban on future permits for large-scale dog breeding facilities in Winona County; and 2) how to better protect animals currently confined in facilities already permitted. (There are 12 large-scale dog breeding operations already operating with local permits in Winona County.)

THREE ACTIONS

1. Sign petition in support​

Your support:
"I oppose puppy mills and I am in ​support of the county conducting a formal discussion of the dog breeding industry and its impact on the welfare of the animals, as well as a review of county permits, conditions, and compliance measures with recommendations for action. Further, I support a ban on permits for any new facilities. My hope is that this discussion with allow commissioners and county staff to better understand why industrial kennels cause harm to dogs and puppies and consumers."


Animal Folks will submit your name and information to the Winona County Commissioners. We need your address to find your district and commissioner. If you don't live in Winona County, you may still sign and submit the petition.

By signing, you are giving Animal Folks permission to email you with updates and action alerts.

2. Contact County Commissioners

Winona County is located in southern Minnesota. The county represents multiple cities and townships. Winona County is divided into five districts with one commissioner representing each District. (Names and map at right.)

Don't know your district or commissioner? See link in right column. 

At this point, the issue has been voted on by the board and the motion was approved to delegate the study to the Planning Commission and Planning Director. Future citizen action will be with the Planning Commission when meetings begin in February 2023.

County commissioners:
District 1 - Chris M. Meyer
District 2 - Dwayne A. Voegeli
District 3 - Vacant Seat
District 4 - Greg Olson
District 5 - Marcia Ward
Emails and phone numbers for each commissioner can be found on the ​Winona County Board website.

To find your district and your commissioner, you can:
1. Go to the MN Polling Place Finder and enter your address. Your "County Commissioner" district number will be displayed, along with other election information.
2. Or call the county at 507-457-6349 and ask for their assistance. Simply give them your address.

County Board email and phone below:

• Email: CountyBoard@co.winona.mn.us
• Phone: 507-457-6350
• Address: Winona County Office Building,
  202 W Third Street, 1st floor, Winona, MN 55987

3. Spread the word

We need your help generating awareness and building support. Please consider:

• Write a letter to the editor. To read letters already published, go to MEDIA. Below are details for two local newspapers:
  • Winona Post (must live in Winona County; submit by Monday at 4pm to run on Wednesday; for word count and other details, click link)
  • Winona Daily News (word count is 275 words or less; must include name, address, and phone; click on link for further details and to submit)
  
  
• Print petition. Download copy of petition and flyer. Make copies and give to family, friends, and colleagues. Send completed petitions to: Animal Folks, 1041 Grand Ave #115, St. Paul, MN 55105 or email info@animalfolks.org.
  
  
• Help with door-knocking. Join us by going door to door in Winona County neighborhoods to gain support. To help, email: info@animalfolks.org.

​

BOARD ACTIONS: MEETINGS AND MINUTES

For board meeting days, times, agendas, and minutes, click here.
​To follow the board process, the issue must first be placed on the agenda for future discussion.

• WINONA COUNTY BOARD MEETING (10/25/22): Held. The county board voted yes to move the discussion on industrial dog breeding kennels forward; delegated to the Planning Commissioner and to begin in February 2023. Public comments started shortly after 7pm with the dog breeding discussion later in meeting, listed as agenda item 6.1. See agenda. Attached to the agenda are recommendations by the county attorney's office. Board
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY BOARD MEETING (09/27/22): Options for an interim ordinance (moratorium) and parameters for study of "dog breeding facilities" and permitting were to be presented for board approval and vote on this date. HOWEVER, issue was rescheduled to the October 25 board meeting.
  NOTE: In 2016, when this issue was initially discussed, similar actions were requested — i.e., an interim ordinance and study to better understand these breeding facilities and the risk to the animals. It was denied in a split vote (3-5). Attached is the proposed ordinance from 2016 that was prepared by the county attorney.
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY BOARD MEETING (08/23/22 ): First discussion of dog breeding facilities. County staff presented its report of permitted dog breeding facilities in Winona County at this meeting with input and statements made by Dr. Veronica Bartsch from the MN Board of Animal Health. Animal Folks with numerous residents and other experts testified about this issue. The Board agreed, through majority vote (Commissioners Olson, Kovecsi, and Meyer), to have the county attorney's office develop options on how best to proceed, legally, for a moratorium and also parameters of study.
  - COPY OF STAFF REPORT:  Commercial Dog Kennel Regulations within Winona County
  Note: Two powerpoints are attached to the report. One is from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), who enforces the Animal Welfare Act. One is from the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH), who enforces the MN dog and cat breeder law. The powerpoints are misleading. Each lists requirements in a law; but equally important is how each law is actually enforced. How the USDA and the BAH interpret each law and how they enforce standards have been questioned and challenged legally for years. Merely delegating all animal welfare to the state or federal government, as the county staff has done, does not ensure the protection or safety of the dogs.
  - Example: The MN breeder law requires that all animals "must be provided daily enrichment and must be provided positive physical contact with human beings and compatible animals at least twice daily unless a veterinarian determines such activities would adversely affect the health or sell-being of the animal." How does the Board of Animal Health monitor and measure this so that the animals are mentally and behaviorally healthy? Animal Folks has asked for an answer to this question or a copy of the BAH's training; it has been denied.
  - Additional: For further review and details of federal and state licenses, see LICENSES.
  - TESTIMONY:
  Multiple residents testified against puppy mills and support of the dogs. Below is the testimony from 4 experts:
  - Ann Olson, executive director or Animal Folks
  - Dr. Franklin McMillan, veterinarian, specialist with animal behavior; published scientific papers on puppy mill dogs and textbook Mental Health and Well-being in Animals
  - Bob Baker, executive director of Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation; researcher of puppy mills for decades
  - Shanna Maus, dog director, Winona Area Humane Society
  - Rita Jessen, Winona resident
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY BOARD MEETING (08/09/22): The Winona County Board voted unanimously (5-0) to approve that the issue of "dog breeding facilities" be officially placed on the board agenda for discussion.
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY BOARD MEETING (07/26/22): County Board Commissioner Greg Olson makes request to bring forward a discussion of "dog breeding facilities" in Winona County. Motion is seconded by Commissioner Marie Kovecsi. Request is scheduled to be voted on at August 9 meeting. Video of request and comments can be found at link (starting at 43.54): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHNyxfCrezE
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY STAFF (JULY 2022): Staff submits report to the county board that responds to board direction and questions submitted in September 2021. Staff requests that no discussion occur until the Planning Department director is back in the office.
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY BOARD MEETING (06/28/22): Animal Folks' Executive Director Ann Olson testified before the board to request that the "dog breeding facilities" issue be placed on the agenda for discussion.
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY BOARD MEETING (05/10/22): Winona County resident spoke before the county board and asked that the issue be placed on the agenda.
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY BOARD MEETING (04/26/22): Animal Folks' Executive Director Ann Olson and Winona County residents spoke before the county board and asked that the issue be placed on the agenda. Board member asked for the research requested of staff by the county board last September.
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY MEETING (09/14/21): On August 14, 2021, the Winona County met to discuss their dog breeding ordinance and related issues. A moratorium was brought up but, at this meeting, was not voted on yet. Multiple items were directed to the county staff to look into, including confirming what permitted breeders are required to have a state or federal license; review kennel regulations in neighboring counties; and explore further regulation with noise ordinances and ADA compliance. Animal Folks testified, providing further data on dog breeders and requesting a moratorium on further permits to allow for more thorough and deliberate discussion. 
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY MEETING (08/24/21): On August 24, 2021, the topic to discuss dog breeder ordinances was agreed, by unanimous vote, to be placed on a future county board agenda (see above). Animal Folks testified and asked for a moratorium on permits for dog breeding operations so a study could be conducted to review county conditions, processes, and breeder compliances. Data was provided showing violations by breeders of permits and licenses. Commissioner Olson made the motion that the topic of dog breeding permits be placed on a future agenda. First discussion to be held 09/14/21. 
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY BOARD MEETING (08/10/21): On August 10, 2021, after much discussion, the application for a dog breeding kennel by Erickson Shady Maple was denied (3-2 vote). Questions were raised by the board about compliance issues. Animal Folks testified in opposition to further permits. 
  
  
• WINONA COUNTY BOARD MEETING (05/11/21): On May 11, 2021, the Winona County Board voted to approve a an interim use permit for a dog breeding operation for Elmer Yoder and Henry Yoder. The motion was made by Commissioner Steve Jacob and seconded by Commissioner Marcia Ward. It was a split vote with Commissioners Olson and Kovecsi voting against it. The Planning Commission recommended the IUP (see page 63) to the county board. The co-applicant Henry Yoder had received a CUP for a similar operation nearby in Utica Township.