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Case ID: 13292

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment, Hoarding

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Puppy mill - 84 dogs seized
Dexter, WI (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Mar 5, 2008
County: Wood

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Darlene Reno

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

An anonymous tip about a puppy mill operation led to the South Wood County Humane Society taking in 84 dogs, many of them diseased or injured, officials said Thursday.

Pet carriers filled part of the humane society as the dogs were checked by a veterinarian and documented. Plans called for them to be distributed to other humane society officers throughout Wisconsin to be adopted out.

Phil Hartley, executive director of the South Wood County Humane Society, said 84 dogs were surrendered from an undisclosed residence.

He said 75 of the dogs were toy breeds and had been kept in a room 20 feet by 20 feet with two or three dogs in each cat-sized kennel.

Wood County Dispatch had received an anonymous call at 4:35 p.m. Wednesday reporting there was a puppy mill in the town of Dexter with dead animals, no food and no water.

Dozens of the dogs were diseased or injured, but only a few had life-threatening ailments, said Kim Krause, a veterinarian from the local Animal Medical and Surgical Clinic.

"They're unkempt. They haven't had the basic necessities of haircuts, bathing, and nail trimming," she said. "As far as we can tell, most are in fairly good body shape. The main thing we are seeing is dental disease and problems with eyes and ears."

Some were also suffering from mange, other skin diseases and infections, and injured limbs, she said.

The animals were surrendered voluntarily, Wood County Humane Officer Nancy Powell said.

She declined further comment on the case but said it remained under investigation.

Some of the pure and mixed breeds at the site included the Boston terrier, chihuahua, Italian greyhound, maltese, papillon, dalmatian, poodle, and Norwegian elkhound.

Case Updates

A Wood County woman who had been accused of cruelty to about 80 dogs must spend 30 days in jail, a Wood County Circuit Court judge ruled Wednesday.

After Darlene H. Reno, 64, of 3803 Highway X, Dexter, pleaded no contest to charges of intentional mistreatment of animals, Circuit Court Judge Greg Potter sentenced her to jail, with work release, three years of probation and a $250 fine, plus court costs. He also imposed and stayed a six-month jail sentence.

As part of the judgment, Reno must complete 500 hours of community service. During her probation period, she will not be allowed to own any more than the five dogs and three birds she currently has. The dogs must be spayed or neutered, the judge ruled.

Reno's attorney, Timothy Gebert, said she is a compassionate animal owner who "was taking care of these animals in the most humane way." Three acquaintances of Reno also testified on her behalf, saying that she cared for her animals.

According to court documents, Wood County Humane Officer Nancy Powell found 77 dogs in a 23-foot-by-17-foot room March 5 at the Reno farm. They were covered in feces and urine that had collected for an extended period of time.

Powell said she saw dogs eating a dead horse carcass and said there was a lack of water for the animals. Various animal bones were found in an outside kennel.

"I have never heard or seen anything as horrible as this," said Powell, who has been a humane officer since August. "It was eye burning; it made you cough."

Negligence and cruel treatment by Reno created the risk of death and great bodily harm to the animals, according to court documents. After the animals were taken from the farm, one dog had to be euthanized, two dogs' eyes were removed, and another had its leg amputated.

Reno surrendered 84 dogs to Wood County officials March 6, and the animals, including many toy breeds, were taken to the South Wood County Humane Society in Wisconsin Rapids.

During the court appearance Wednesday, about 350 photos of animals on the property as well as a video recorded inside the barn that housed the dogs was presented as evidence for the prosecution. Potter, along with Assistant District Attorney John Henkelmann, Powell, Reno, and Gebert viewed the evidence in a private room.

"Obviously, there were a number of animals that were not in good condition," Potter said.

Source: Wausau Daily Herald - May 1, 2008
Update posted on May 4, 2008 - 5:03PM

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A 64-year-old Dexter woman is accused of neglecting 77 dogs, mistreating them and leaving them in filthy conditions.

Darlene Reno has been charged with four counts of mistreating animals and one count of providing improper shelter.

Prosecutors say a humane officer found the dogs in a small room that was filled with animal waste.

The criminal complaint says because of the negligence, one dog has to be euthanized and another had to have its leg amputated.

Among the breeds were Boston terriers, Chihuahuas and poodles.

The five misdemeanor charges carry a maximum penalty of three years, nine months in jail and a $50,000 fine.

Source: WYOW - April 27, 2008
Update posted on Apr 27, 2008 - 9:56PM

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A Wood County woman who surrendered 84 dogs to local animal shelters this month could face criminal charges stemming from allegations of animal mistreatment.

Sixty-4-year-old Darlene Reno surrendered the dogs to humane officers on March 6 after an anonymous caller reported dead animals at her farm.

Four days later, humane officer Nancy Powell served Reno with orders regarding an unspecified number of additional animals still in Reno's care.

The orders mandated providing proper food and water for all animals in her care and promptly cleaning up animal waste. Failure to comply could result in criminal charges.

Assistant district attorney John Henkelman confirms that Powell has since recommended criminal charges. But he says he won't make a final decision until Powell completes her investigation.

Source: WKBT - March 30, 2008
Update posted on Mar 31, 2008 - 1:50AM

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A breeder who surrendered 84 dogs to the South Wood County Humane Society this week does not understand why officials requested the animals.

Darlene Reno was approached by a Wood County humane officer Wednesday night at her town of Dexter home after an anonymous call to officials reported a "puppy mill" with dead animals and no food or water.

Reno said she relinquished the dogs because she didn't want to force the county to request a search warrant.

"They would just say I was not cooperating," she said in a phone interview. "I'm not ashamed of nothing I've done."

The dogs were cataloged at the South Wood County Humane Society on Thursday by veterinarians, who found the dogs were suffering from a variety of ailments.

Humane officer Nancy Kinney said any decisions regarding legal action won't be made until the investigation is complete.

"There's parts of it that is heartbreaking, and it is disappointing, and I don't think you get used to that," she said.

Source: Wausau Daily Herald - March 8, 2008
Update posted on Mar 10, 2008 - 6:00AM

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Puppy mill - 84 dogs seizedDexter, WI (US)

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Puppy mill - 84 dogs seized
Dexter, WI (US)