Puppy mill - 69 seized, 12 more found dead
Hartford, NY (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008
County: Washington
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Martha McGee
Police say they have discovered more than a dozen dead dogs at a licensed breeder's home in Washington County. There were also 81 other small dogs still alive and in fairly good shape, but many living in some filthy conditions.
Acting on a tip, State Police went to the woman's home on Miller Ridge Way in the Town of Hartford, just south of Granville, and found the dogs. Dozens were living in poor conditions, and more than a dozen were found dead. NEWS10's Anya Tucker was there as police and SPCA officers rescued the small dogs - many of them chihuahua and bijou mixes.
Wednesday, police and SPCA officials searched the garage grounds around the woman's home. Investigators say the dogs were found in pens with urine and feces on the floor. Most of the cages were inside the garage. Police also found some of the dog food to be rotten.
But much more disturbing were the 12 dead animals. Police say the remains of puppies were found in the breeder's own refrigerator. She told police she believed someone had poisoned the puppies and she wanted a vet to test their remains.
Police tell NEWS10 the breeder is licensed in New York State and was breeding bijou's, westies and chihuahua's, as well as so-called designer dogs. But they say she could no longer care for the just under 100 dogs when she came down with an unspecified medical problem. Now, the SPCA will care for the 81 dogs and likely put them up for adoption.
"When we are ready, (they will) need love, and that's what we want to give them," says Cathy Cloutier, with the SPCA of Upstate New York.
As for the breeder, police say she will face animal cruelty charges - a misdemeanor.
McGee says she believes she accidentally overdosed the puppies on de-worming medicine. References- WTEN - April 30, 2008
- WNYT - Aptril 30, 2008
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