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Michael Angelo Torres discusses recent screenings of and advocacy surrounding the new documentary Dog$piracy, which exposes the vast suffering perpetuated by the puppy mill industry. Dog$piracy is now available to stream online.

DOG$PIRACY Screenings Spotlight the Cruelty of Puppy Mills
From Michael Angelo Torres, IDA In Defense of Animals, idausa.org
May 2026

Photos from In Defense of Animals

Animal advocates, rescuers, and compassionate community members gathered at the iconic Roxie Theater in San Francisco on Saturday morning, April 25, for a powerful screening of DOG$PIRACY, the acclaimed documentary exposing the cruelty and deception behind the puppy mill industry.

Hosted in partnership with In Defense of Animals, the event brought together audiences eager to learn more about the hidden suffering endured by dogs trapped in commercial breeding operations. The screening was followed by a thoughtful and passionate Q&A moderated by Michael Angelo Torres of In Defense of Animals. Featured speakers included Dr. Marc Abraham, the veterinarian and internationally recognized animal welfare advocate prominently featured in the film, and Sherri Franklin, founder of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue and a 2016 CNN Hero.

Throughout the discussion, speakers emphasized the importance of public education and the urgent need to challenge the normalization of puppy sales in pet stores and online marketplaces. Dr. Abraham spoke about the devastating realities hidden behind the “cute puppy” image marketed to consumers, while Franklin highlighted the importance of adoption and the lifesaving work rescue organizations perform every day.

Dr. Abraham has spent decades advocating for animals in the United Kingdom and beyond. He led the high-profile 10-year Lucy’s Law campaign, which successfully banned the sale of puppies and kittens in British pet stores. He also runs the All-Party Dog Advisory Welfare Group in the UK Parliament at Westminster and serves as patron to numerous animal charities, including Oldies Club, a foster-based rescue dedicated to senior dogs. In recognition of his work, Dr. Abraham received the OBE (Order of the British Empire) from King Charles III for Services to Animal Welfare.

During his visit to San Francisco, Dr. Abraham also toured the San Francisco Department of Animal Care and Control and visited Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, where he met with advocates and animal care professionals working tirelessly to protect vulnerable animals in the Bay Area. The visit showcased the city’s strong network of animal rescue and protection organizations and the growing movement to confront the cruelty of commercial dog breeding.

The momentum continued the following day with another successful screening at the historic Lumiere Theater in Beverly Hills, helping bring the film’s message to even more audiences across California. Joining Dr. Abraham on the panel were In Defense of Animals’ President/CEO Marilyn Kroplick, Director of Communications Fleur Dawes, and Jane Velez-Mitchell, bestselling author and creator of UnchainedTV.

Photos from In Defense of Animals

Puppy mills continue to operate across the United States, including within notoriously secretive Amish breeding communities where dogs are often treated as breeding machines rather than living beings. Many animals in these operations endure cramped cages, untreated medical conditions, lack of socialization, and repeated breeding until their bodies give out.

Films like DOG$PIRACY are critical because they shine a light on the suffering that the commercial breeding industry works hard to keep hidden. The film demonstrates that real change begins with education, advocacy, and compassionate choices.

The message from these film screenings was clear: adopt, don’t shop — and work together to end the cruelty of puppy mills.

DOG$PIRACY is now available to view via YouTube Movies, Google Play, Hoopla, and Amazon Prime.

To take action to stop puppy mills, please visit www.idausa.org/campaign/puppy-mills

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Posted on All-Creatures.org: May 26, 2026
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