Puppy mill - 94 dogs, 4 cats, 10 sugar gliders
Galveston, TX (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007
County: Galveston
Disposition: Not Charged
Abuser names unreleased
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
The Galveston County Animal Shelter is full to capacity after a raid on a facility that county officials described as a "puppy mill" created an influx of 108 furry residents.
The 94 dogs, four cats and 10 sugar glider squirrels came to the center on Texas City's Loop 197 North on Feb 14. The dogs were of various breeds.
County Health District spokesman Kurt Koopmann said animal-control officers went to a building in Algoa in response to an anonymous report of animals kept there in unhealthy conditions.
"Puppy mill" is a derisive term to describe a high-volume dog-breeding facility in which the animals are often confined in small cages and bred constantly until they die.
Officials found dirty, unkempt animals, many of which suffered from internal parasites and infections.
However, county animal services manager Kim Schoolcraft said none of the animals' maladies were life-threatening.
"The animals are all doing fine," she said. "We're in the process of evaluating them all, and what we've found has been dirty conditions and matted fur, but no serious injury or illness."
However, the shelter's population rose by another 10 between Wednesday and Friday, with more animals expected because of another medical condition.
"Yes, we received several pregnant animals," Schoolcraft said.
Koopmann said officials would not be able to comment on the specifics of the case because it remained an open investigation. He did say that while no criminal charges had been filed Friday, charges could result from the county's investigation.
Animal control is also seeking to assume custody of the animals. A court hearing set for next week will determine the fates of the 100-plus creatures. Schoolcraft said that if the shelter gets custody of the animals, officials there would try to find adoptive homes for them.
"If you know anyone who's been talking about getting a dog, next weekend might just be the best time for it, if things go as we hope," she said.
The Galveston County Animal Shelter is asking for donations for the care and comfort of its four-legged residents, including more than 100 animals taken in this week.
County animal services manager Kim Schoolcraft said the center had adequate supplies of food and volunteers for the time being, but the shelter needs donated blankets and towels for the animals.
Anyone with items to donate can call the shelter at 409-948-2485.
Although the shelter cannot yet adopt out the seized animals, pending a custody hearing next week, other animals are available for adoption. Anyone interested in adopting an animal also can call the shelter.
Case UpdatesA line of would-be adoptive owners extended from the shelter's front gate to the curb, as people came from as far away as Katy to adopt animals taken from what officials described as a puppy mill last week.
"Puppy mill" is a derisive term to describe a high-volume dog-breeding facility in which the animals are often confined in small cages and bred constantly until they can no longer do so. At that point, they are often killed, left to die or given to animal-rescue groups.
In all, more than 100 animals ended up at the shelter after the seizure. They went fast.
"We only have about 10 of the dogs left," said county animal services manager Kim Schoolcraft shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday.
As she looked out the shelter's front door, she added, "And I'm pretty confident we're going to be able to find homes for them."
The first person looking to adopt one of the animals showed up about 6 a.m. Thursday. By the time the animal shelter opened at 11 a.m., more than 100 were in line.
People who reached the front of the line received numbers and fliers. The shelter let people in three at a time to begin the adoption process.
The animal shelter won custody of all but four of the animals in a Wednesday hearing before Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Mike Nelson. Animal-control officers described animals kept in filthy conditions with little or no food or water.
Nelson allowed former owner Kathy Nelson to keep four dogs, after she said her personal pets were among the seized animals.
Acting on an anonymous tip that a property in Algoa had dozens of animals, the officers last week seized 87 dogs, 10 sugar gliders and four cats. Some of the dogs were pregnant. Twelve puppies had been born in the shelter as of Thursday, with more due.
The four cats, each about a year old, were among the animals still waiting for homes late Thursday.
The shelter was so popular Wednesday that people were parking across Loop 197 to get there. Schoolcraft called the Texas City Police Department for help. Patrol officers went to the 3400 block of Loop 197 North to monitor traffic and ensure the safety of people crossing the road.
Seabrook resident Sheenna Trahan Thursday morning had her number and was waiting to adopt a dog.
"I was hoping for a little Yorkie, but they're already gone," she said.
Still, Trahan said she was looking forward to finding a furry addition to her home.
Officials at the shelter said one encouraging sign was that some people had expressed willingness to take in older dogs taken from the Algoa raid after hearing the conditions that produced the puppies.
Schoolcraft some were also willing to adopt other animals at the shelter.
She said that was a good thing, motioning toward a stray dog found Thursday afternoon and being led into the shelter.
"Unfortunately, we still have animals coming in, and they will need homes, too," she said. | Source: Galveston Daily News - Feb 26, 2007
Update posted on Feb 26, 2007 - 8:11PM |
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