Puppy mill - over 50 dogs seized
Overton, NE (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Jan 31, 2008
County: Dawson
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Abuser names unreleased
Lorie Hoyt, the director at the McCook Humane Society, took off early Thursday morning on a rescue mission at a rural residence north of Overton in Dawson County, her fiance Jay Prestes riding along to help.
They were scheduled to meet law enforcement, a representative from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, a local veterinarian and two other shelter directors for a well-orchestrated raid on what is commonly called a "puppy mill."
"The conditions were just awful," said Hoyt Thursday afternoon at the shelter, where she was directing staff in bathing, vaccinating and deworming the 10 dogs rescued by the shelter.
"There were more than 50 dogs there, of all sizes and breeds," Hoyt explained. A shelter in Kearney took the larger breed dogs, including Great Pyrenees, boxers and Saint Bernards and a shelter in Hastings took in a number of smaller breed dogs. A poodle and a Maltese, along with their puppies, only days old, were taken immediately to the Hasting's shelter
"They were a sorry, scrawny sight," said Hoyt, visibly shaken. "I was furious. But all the way home the miniature American Eskimo puppy nuzzled up into my neck, so I'm feeling better now.
"I'm just glad to have the dogs out of there." The sub freezing temperatures had frozen the outdoor kennel doors shut, so rescuers were unable to quickly get the dogs into pet carriers and loaded into warm vehicles.
The shelter, located at 100 South St., in McCook, is a temporary home to surrendered animals and strays. And today, it is completely full.
"I had to move the kittens up front and center," Hoyt explained, "to make room for the quarantined animals."
The veterinarian on site at the raid performed triage on all of the animals, sending them to the shelters with instructions on vaccinations, quarantine and deworming. According to Hoyt, some animals were in such bad shape that the best thing the vet could do was to order them euthanized.
"I don't know how many died," she said. "I didn't ask. I didn't want to know."
The dogs at the McCook shelter will remain in quarantine for 7-10 days and will be brought current on their vaccinations. There are four adult cocker spaniels, a long-haired dachshund, a short-haired dachshund, a bassett hound, a miniature American Eskimo, a standard American Eskimo and a Maltese.
"The cockers are in the worst shape," said Hoyt, referring to mats of hair and feces the size of silver dollars in their coats. "I could really use a couple of volunteer groomers with tools that are up to the challenge to help make these dogs comfortable while they wait for adoption."
The McCook shelter operates at near or full capacity year round. Hoyt has 8 litters of puppies recently surrendered that are ready for adoption now.
"I have great danes, shar-peis, Australian shepherds, you name it, I've got it. So, if anybody has been waiting for just the right time to adopt, this may be it."
A tour of the facility revealed clean kennels and cages full of eager bundles of fur leaping, jumping, barking and yipping, all seeming to say, "Look at me! Pick me up! Pick me! Pick me!"
As always, visitors and volunteers are always welcome; to walk the dogs, wash dishes, refill water bowls or just provide a little loving touch while the animals wait for adoption.
The shelter is open for adoptions Monday through Friday from 2-5 p.m., and on Saturdays from noon until 4 p.m. For more information, call (308) 345-2372. References
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