Puppy mill - 50 dogs seized from cages in field
Pell City, AL (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 17, 2008
County: Saint Clair
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Animal control officers were working Wednesday afternoon to remove more than 50 dogs from a pasture off Shaw Road near Pell City, citing the animals' "physical condition and living conditions."
"It's difficult to see," said Ken Ray, manager of the Pell City Animal Shelter. "They've been living in conditions like this for who knows how long.
"There's feces piled up here - the water is stagnant and green."
Ray's shelter was on the scene to help animal control officer Josh Wyatt, who had no official comment on the situation. That includes identifying the owners of the facility.
"We'd really rather not say right now," Ray said.
The alleged puppy mill was originally discovered by an anonymous hunter.
"He heard the barking and came over to investigate," Ray said. "I'd like to extend him the thanks of the ASPCA."
All of the dogs are toy breeds, save one German shepherd, whom Ray estimates was left on the premises to stand guard.
"There's pugs, Shih Tzus, Yorkies, one beagle, poodles…" Ray said. "The dogs are just starved for attention - I think the only time the owners came down here was to feed them, or if they were going to take them to be sold."
Ray and Wyatt took the dogs back to the Pell City shelter for evaluation. Ray said he estimated it would take "probably a few days, maybe a week" before any of them would be available for adoption.
As for the owners of the property, the next course of action has yet to be determined.
"These breeders need to know that we're gonna find them," he said. "If we can find them way out here, we can find them."
Those interested in adopting the dogs may direct their inquiries to Ray and his staff in Pell City at 205-814-1567. References« AL State Animal Cruelty Map
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