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PEARISBURG -- Bland County said "yes" to those doggies in the kennel -- with a slew of conditions related to their care.

Giles County said "no." Period.

Ivan Schmucker Jr. and his family arrived at Thursday's Giles County Board of Supervisors meeting just a few minutes before it started, filling a row directly in front of the five supervisors.

But the men, women and boys left as quickly as they came. A few minutes into the meeting, their request for a special zoning exception to build what animal welfare advocates call a "puppy mill" -- and what the Schmuckers say is a legal and viable business -- was denied. The Schmuckers, who reside in Bland County but plan to move to Giles' White Gate community to join other Amish, have been under scrutiny from animal rights' advocates since a March fire at their Dogwood Kennel killed nearly 200 dogs.

John Mills, Giles' building official and zoning administrator, informed the Giles board Thursday that the county planning commission recommended denying the Schmuckers' petition.

Mills said the commission felt that there was no need for a massive dog breeding operation and that such an operation would adversely affect values of homes and farms in the White Gate area in the county's extreme southwestern corner.

The supervisors agreed, voting quickly and unanimously to reject the Schmuckers' request.

Schmucker expressed disappointment and indignation immediately after the decision.

"We don't believe in government handouts but people suppress what we try to do for a living," he said. "I guess somebody is going to have to answer for this."

After some reflection, Schmucker later apologized for what he called his lack of composure.

"I had the wrong attitude and I just want to accept this as God's will," he said. "I don't hold any grudges. God has more opportunities and will provide for us in spite of what comes in our direction. If God closes a door, he will open a door."

Schmucker has said his family got into the business of breeding dogs and selling pups commercially because it provided a way for him to unite his family in their religious heritage while earning a living. Other Amish in Ohio and Pennsylvania also run large kennels and sell puppies -- mostly small breeds -- for hundreds of dollars apiece.

He said he doesn't know what his family will do now. The Schmuckers' kennel in Bland County was approved with the stipulation that they build a new facility with a sprinkler system and other provisions. They have three months left to complete the project, according to the permit stipulations in Bland. Schmucker delayed construction after putting his farm up for sale with the intention of moving his family to White Gate.

Animal welfare advocates have hounded the Schmuckers. Last week, the Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support, ran an ad opposing the special exception in The Virginian Leader, Giles' local newspaper. Many from that group and others at Thursday's meeting were delighted with the decision.

"We just want to say thank you for denying the Schmuckers' request," group president Lila Borge Wills told the board. "The animals are better off and so are the people."

"I think they did the right thing in addressing the gross overpopulation of animals in Giles County," said Michelle Rinaldi of Pembroke.

About the Schmuckers, Rinaldi added "I think they thought Giles County would be their next easy mark. I have doubts they're going to let this go. I think it'll go clandestine. We're going to keep our eyes on that."