CONEJOS – The Conejos Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will consider applications at 10 a.m. Friday, June 15 for two dog-breeding businesses in rural Conejos County.
Public hearings were held May 17 on applications filed by Ruben D. Mast and Lonnie Yoder, drawing protests from members of an audience of some 30 persons, several of whom claimed the county had violated its own land use code due to the fact that some building had already begun on the property in question.
The decision was tabled until June 15 to ensure applications would be complete.
Animal welfare advocates stated, one by one, that thousands of stray animals must be put down each year and pet shop animals take their place, causing problems and leading to death.
It was noted that one of the applications says dog waste will be spread on the pasture. However, the USDA found that one dog produces 274 pounds of waste a year that pollutes the ground and surface water that can only be contained by using a proper composting facility.  DeHerrera said composting is the best method and Sandoval said the time between May 17 and June 18 would provide for environmental impact statements to be prepared and to ensure important safeguards are in place, not only for the animals, but for neighboring residents.