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Case #13667 Rating: 2.6 out of 5
Puppy mill - 44 dogs seized
Westmoreland, TN (US)Incident Date: Monday, Apr 7, 2008
County: Sumner
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Brittany Bergez
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
On April 7th and April 8th, 2008, Detectives of the Sumner County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division visited several dog breeding operations in Sumner County based on complaints received concerning the treatment of animals.
During the investigation, a search warrant was executed on Dutch Creek Kennels located at 1221 Charles Brown Road in Westmoreland, Sumner County, Tennessee and 44 mastiff and small mixed breed dogs were seized.
Brittany Bergez is the owner/operator of Dutch Creek Kennels. Charges have not been filed against Brittany Bergez at this time but the case is being reviewed by the District Attorney's Office.
Members of the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, Animal Abuse Expert Chandra Davis, Volunteer Equine Advocates, Sumner County Emergency Management Agency, Safe Place for Animals and the Sumner County Humane Society assisted in the investigation and recovery of the animals. Pet Smart of Mt. Juliet also assisted by donating food and other items for the seized animals.
Chief of Detectives Don Linzy is in charge of the investigation and will be coordinating efforts for the care of the animals.
Case UpdatesBrittany Bergez pleaded guilty on May 14, 2008 to two counts of animal cruelty. More than 40 dogs were seized from her kennel, which investigators call a puppy mill. Bergez will serve two weekends in jail be on probation for two years and pay an animal welfare group one thousand dollars.
During her probation she can only keep two horses and two house pets. | Source: WZTV - May 14, 2008
Update posted on May 18, 2008 - 8:57PM |
Sumner County is currently caring for 44 dogs seized in a recent animal cruelty case. However, a judge says the dog's owner must pay for their continuing care and the bill is almost 15-thousand dollars.
Brittany Bergez has until May 12th to pay the costs. In addition to that, the court also ruled Bergez will have to pay an additional 7-thousand dollars every 15 days thereafter.
The county is utilizing a new law that removes the costs associated with caring for seized animals from taxpayers and places that burden on the pet owners accused in the crime.
Assistant District Attorney, William Lamberth says, "We'll put them on notice that we intend to have a hearing on the first possible date to require them to pay for that daily care and that way, the taxpayers of Sumner county dont have to pick up the costs the offender should be picking up."
Brittany Bergez faces several counts of animal cruelty. | Source: Fox 17 - April 24, 2008
Update posted on Apr 24, 2008 - 10:36AM |
The owner of 44 dogs seized by the Sumner County Sheriff seven counts of animal cruelty. Brittany Bergez, 29, doing business as Dutch Creek Kennels, is accused of keeping mastiffs, poodles, spaniel mixes, an American Staffordshire terrier and a beagle in deplorable conditions in a barn.
Investigators said the dirt floor of the barn was littered with feces. Some dogs had no water. For others, the drinking water was primarily brown, dirty and unsanitary.
Most of the small dogs had severely matted fur. Some appeared to have leg injuries, lacerations, open sores and skin irritations.
The dogs are now reported to be improving. | Source: WSMV - April 16, 2008
Update posted on Apr 24, 2008 - 10:35AM |
References« TN State Animal Cruelty Map
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