Nearly 70 dogs were rescued from deplorable conditions from a large kennel on Alabama Highway 75 near Henagar.
It was so bad SPCA workers were instructed to wear protective suits.
"This is the worst puppy mill that I have seen and we've investigated quite a lot," said Freda Waters, executive director of the DeKalb County SPCA.
68 dogs were packed in the back of a moving truck Friday, rescued from horrendous conditions.
The kennel runs are littered with rotting deer carcasses, feces and no telling what else.
"It looks like a literal bone yard," said Waters.
"It's very hazardous. All kinds of bacteria, diseases, germs. That's why we're using suits, as well as masks and gloves today because of the possible threat of E. coli, tetanus and our vet said possibly even anthrax. What's bad for us is bad for the animals," Waters said.
The kennel operator, Linda Wallin, could only sit and watch as her dogs were taken away.
Waters says Wallin actually lives in Georgia, and there is no one to care for the animals on a daily basis.
"The runs have dirt flooring on the outside, so they're never cleaned. They get dirty and gravel is poured in on top of feces. It's heart wrenching. It's really heart-wrenching because the animals deserve better than this," said Waters.
Wallin was booked in the DeKalb County Jail, charged with animal cruelty. Her bond is $18,000.
Sadly, Waters says this is just one of many suspected puppy mills in DeKalb County.
She says it all comes down to turning a buck. Dogs are bred constantly in puppy mills.
"They don't care about the health or the temperament. They don't care about the quality of the animals that they're breeding because this is a money maker," said Waters.
The 68 dogs were taken to the DeKalb County SPCA for an evaluation.
Waters says surprisingly most of the animals appear to be in relatively good health, although they're probably full of parasites.
Those that are healthy and have a good temperament will be put up for adoption.
The DeKalb County SPCA is a non-profit organization.
Executive Director Freda Waters says they are in need of donations. If you would like to help them in their fight to protect animals, call 256-845-9463.
Case Updates
Dekalb County Alabama authorities arrested a Rising Fawn woman on three counts of animal cruelty on Monday after the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals pointed at her kennel as a dangerous breeding ground.
Authorities rescued 68 dogs from Linda Wallin's property on Hwy. 75 in Henagar, Ala., and arrested Wallin who was there when law enforcement arrived. Freda Waters with the SPCA is one of a team of people that moved on what she describes as a 'puppy mill' where dogs are raised in filth and squalor until they are sold.
She reported that the kennel operators had been throwing rotting deer carcasses for the dogs to eat, Waters said the amount of feces in the kennels was at a dangerous level, and was a breading ground for worms and parasites. Most of the dogs were miniature Schnauzers and poodles. Waters described it as one of the worst puppy mills she had seen, and she had her group wore protective gear when they extracted the animals.
"The Fecal test show these dogs are full of parasites," she said.
The dogs will be examined and treated at the SPCA in Dekalb county before being adopted out. Waters said that the majority of the dogs had already been adopted by Monday afternoon, but the animals will not be released until authorities deem it safe to do so. She said most of the dogs suffered from some type of worm infestation.
By Monday afternoon, Wallin had posted bond and was released from jail. Dekalb County Assistant District Attorney Julie McCormick said that Wallin could face fee's and up to 18 months in jail for the misdemeanor animal cruelty charges.
Waters said that the counts were reduced because Wallin agreed to release custody of the animals to the SPCA.
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