Dealing Dogs

Originally broadcast on HBO, Tom Simon and Sarah Teale's documentary exposé Dealing Dogs is definitely not for the squeamish animal lover. The advocacy group Last Chance for Animals successfully planted a camera-toting mole on the staff of Martin Creek Kennel in Williford, AR, with a mission to document allegations of inhumane treatment of the dogs in the custody of the facility—charges that proved to be painfully true: dogs were routinely beaten, starved, kept in filthy conditions, denied medical treatment, and even pitted against one another in harrowing fights. Some dogs that became gravely ill in this environment were either shot with guns at point blank range or intentionally poisoned (slow, horrible deaths). The use of a hidden camera by the undercover investigator doesn't always result in pristine videography (at one point subtitles are shown onscreen to compensate for the murky soundtrack), but what is captured is a harrowing and heartbreaking portrait of deliberate cruelty against defenseless animals. Dealing Dogs also makes it clear that Martin Creek Kennel is hardly a singular aberration: 42,000 dogs are sold annually by so-called Class B dealers to veterinary schools and research labs, and many of these dealers have racked up complaints of inhumane treatment of the canines in their care. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)