SPRING GREEN (WKOW) -The Village of Spring Green Plan Commission was blindsided during their June 19th meeting, when residents Jill and Clint Kane asked for approval on a plan for a dog kennel they hoped to bring to the area.
“The paperwork asked for a description of what they would be using the property for,” Joel Marcus, chair of the Plan Commission said. “Nowhere did they mention that they would be breeding dogs for medical research.”
They were asked to approve one of two sites, the Kane home just outside village limits.
In that home, they would prepare newborn puppies to be transferred to a bigger space in the township of Spring Green where they would be raised.
That facility already has approval from the Town of Spring Green.
Fred Lausly, a member of the Plan Commission, said that they legally had to make their decision based solely on if it fit the criteria of the conditional use permit application and nothing subjective.
The Kanes say the dogs will stay with other members of their litter, in runs not cages, and that they’ll be played with daily.
Marcus says officials are hearing what the people are saying.
“The community is overwhelmingly opposed to the kennel,” He said.
In fact, a petition to keep it from coming to the area had gathered nearly 15 thousand signatures by Thursday afternoon.
In the petition, organizers say “the proposed establishment of these unethical and inhumane facilities are in direct conflict with who we are as a community.”
Most of the Kane’s neighbors are also opposed to the facility for more than just ethical reasons, except for the Leafs, who have known the Kanes for more than 5 years.
“I trust their judgement and they should be allowed to do what they’ve been trained to do and what they’ve had a lot of education to do the correct way,” Carl Leaf said.
In a statement, the Kanes say Jill has been a veterinarian for 21 years and Clint has a masters degree in Animal Science and has worked with animals for years.
“We feel we are uniquely qualified to provide the best care for these animals that serve such an important role in saving the lives of people you love,” the statement said.
Marcus says the board is researching the topic and will be ready to make a decision when it comes before the commission again on July 17th.
“We’ll have to make that decision based on facts and rules of law,” Marcus said, echoing the reasoning behind the Town’s decision.
The Kanes are already operating a breeding facility in another part of Sauk County.
They will not be doing the medical research themselves.