Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Puppy mill - 77 dogs seized from squalor

Puppy mill - 77 dogs seized from squalor
Oak Hill, FL (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Mar 30, 2007
County: Volusia
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Anne Michelle Clay

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 11138

Classification: Hoarding, Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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An Oak Hill-area breeder was arrested Friday after animal-control workers found scores of poodles living in hot, filthy conditions in a home littered with feces, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office said.

Anne Clay, 50, was arrested on one felony count of animal cruelty and a misdemeanor charge of confinement of animals without food, water or exercise.

Deputies were alerted after a field agent from the American Kennel Club arrived on March 29 at her home on County Line Road for a routine inspection and found the poodles and a few other breeds with filthy, matted coats and droppings throughout the house, the Sheriff's Office said. Water bowls were dirty and the air conditioning was broken, they said.

The Sheriff's Office conducted a search about 11 a.m. on March 30.

"The living conditions were real bad," said Becky Wilson, director of Volusia County Animal Control.

Coastal Poodle Rescue of Brevard County took the 77 poodles that were seized, said Harriet Prine, the group's president. Most of the dogs are "minis" -- larger than a toy but smaller than a standard poodle. Many are timid, and some are sick, she said.

Veterinary technicians will examine them today, and care will be provided for those needing it immediately. "We're just loving them and taking care of them," Prine said.

Five dachshunds, two Chihuahuas and one Weimaraner also were seized and are being housed temporarily at the Southeast Volusia Humane Society, Wilson said.

The poodles will be put in volunteer foster homes while waiting for a court ruling, Prine said.

Wilson said there was a complaint against the same breeder several years ago that involved puppies being sold without health certificates.

When confronted with the allegations, Clay fainted and had to be treated by emergency medical officials at the scene, Animal Control officer supervisor Sergio Pacheco said. Upon her recovery, he said she cooperated with officials' efforts to round up her animals.

Case Updates

A dog breeder accused of housing animals in a urine and feces-laden residence wants the court to give her back 77 seized poodles and six newly born offspring.

Attorneys for Anne Michele Clay said the breeder wants to continue selling dogs through her Oak Hill home on County Line Road and online-based business, Terragethen Miniature Poodles. Volusia County Animal Services, however, has petitioned the court to terminate her ownership of the dogs after finding them in what an officer called deplorable conditions March 30.

Attorneys for both sides gathered at the New Smyrna Beach Courthouse Annex for a custody hearing Monday. But after more than two hours of witness testimony and cross-examination, County Judge Mary Jane Henderson ordered both sides to mediation. Two witnesses, called upon by the county, gave accounts of Clay's breeding facility and home.

"I saw filth, absolute filth . . ." said Penny Butler, an American Kennel Club executive inspector who reported conditions to the county animal control agency. "In my years with the AKC, I've probably never seen conditions like that in my life."

Butler said Clay allowed her to stop by for the routine inspection the AKC performs to verify housing conditions and record keeping for purebreds. After observing about 15 dogs run out of the house through an open window, Butler demanded to enter the house.

Once inside, Butler said the smell of ammonia from urine "was overpowering." The air conditioner was not working, bowls had "dark gray" water, walls were covered in dirt and the floors were covered with excrement.

Animal Control Officer Dee Ferguson testified the older poodles had an "atrocious" amount of tartar buildup on their teeth. She observed overgrown toenails, excessive earwax and severely matted coats, which can cause skin irritation and discomfort.

Photos entered into evidence by the county show clean white poodles the day the animals were seized, said Attorney Eric Latinsky, speaking on behalf of Clay. His client, a dog breeder since 1985, got behind in cleaning while trying to prepare for the AKC inspection, he said after adjournment.

She plans to consult with another kennel owner who has offered to supervise improvements to the facility, he said, adding that Clay previously tried to construct a $17,500 addition for the dogs. A contractor, however, stole the money and she is still in litigation, Latinsky said.

Under Henderson's mediation order, attorneys are being asked to reach an agreement by April 17. Clay also faces criminal charges for one felony count of cruelty to animals and a charge of confinement of animals, a misdemeanor.

For now, several small breed dogs found at the house are being held at the Southeast Volusia Humane Society. The poodles are at Coastal Poodle Rescue in Melbourne. Some puppies are on medication for intestinal bacteria and one adult is being treated for a urinary tract infection, said coordinator Harriet Prine.

Holly Clubok, a Terragethen customer, said she is shocked at the allegations. She traveled from Washington, D.C., to check on a poodle she wants to buy that is being held at the rescue center, and attended the court hearing.

"This is a good responsible breeder," said Clubok, whose mother also purchased a poodle from Clay. "When you go see her puppies, she makes you wash your hands."

Source: News-Journal Online - April 10, 2007
Update posted on Apr 17, 2007 - 1:00AM

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A woman accused of operating a puppy mill in deplorable conditions at her house was in court on Monday, fighting to have many of the dogs returned to her custody.

According to officials, Anne Clay, of Oak Hill, owned and bred 85 dogs, many of which were sick, malnourished, pregnant poodles, at her house, which was soaked with urine and feces.

Investigators told a judge that the conditions were so bad that their shoes stuck to the floor of Clay's home.

"When she opened the door, the odor of the dogs and the house just hit you in the face. It was overpowering. The odor that was in the house was ammonia and urine, and the dog smelled of feces and urine," an unidentified woman said.

Clay said the house was not unhealthy, and she wants the judge to grant her custody of 38 adult poodles that have not been spayed or neutered, which are worth thousands of dollars.

Defense attorneys told the judge that they're waiting on veterinary reports before they can make a case.

By law, the matter must be settled within 30 days.

The animals are currently being held at the Southeast Volusia Humane Society and Coastal Poodle Rescue Society.

Source: Local 6 News - April 9, 2007
Update posted on Apr 10, 2007 - 2:26AM

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Puppy mill - 77 dogs seized from squalorOak Hill, FL (US)

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Puppy mill - 77 dogs seized from squalor
Oak Hill, FL (US)