Puppy Mill - 275 dogs seized
Sparta, TN (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009
County: White

Disposition: Not Charged

Abuser names unreleased

Officers with White County Sheriff Department, working in conjunction with District Attorney Randy York, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society on an investigation that began almost two years ago, took custody, on Wednesday, of an estimated 275 dogs from a residence on Lost Creek Road.

"The sheriff's department has been having about a two-year investigation on this particular mass breeding operation," said Detective Chris Isom. "Right now, we believe we have an estimated 275 dogs. And it's an ongoing investigation."

At the request and under the authority of Sheriff Oddie Shoupe, the ASPCA recovered and evaluated the dogs found at the residence. The organization also provided a special forensics team, including ASPCA's Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics Dr. Melinda Merck, Director of Field Operations Jeff Eyre, and Investigator Bob Baker.

According to Merck, the dogs suffer from several different medical conditions.

More than a dozen other ASPCA disaster response professionals were on scene, as well as the ASPCA's "Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit" for collection and processing of evidence.

"We have a 12-member disaster response team, which we can respond to natural disasters; but we are also cross-trained in anti-cruelty," stated Allison Cardona, director of the Disaster Animal Response Team. "We're trained not only in technical animal rescue, but also in crime scene forensics. We're a national organization, but we're based in New York. Our response team can respond nationally."

The animals being rescued were housed in the residence and multiple buildings on the property. The dogs are small breed under 20 pounds, including Boston and Jack Russell terriers, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, poodles, miniature Pinschers, and Schnauzers.

The animals were examined immediately on the scene, with those needing emergency care transferred to White County veterinarians, who lent their services. The rest of the animals were transported to a temporary emergency shelter staffed by the American Humane Association.

PetSmart Charities also assisted in the recovery by providing the majority of sheltering supplies and an emergency relief vehicle.

According to Isom, the investigation will continue with the possibility of charges of aggravated cruelty to animals once the extent of the operation is uncovered.

"We are going after anybody that commits a crime � no matter what the crime," said Sheriff Oddie Shoupe. "We have enlisted help from the Humane Society and the ASPCA during this investigation. White County has a sheriff's office that does care about all animals. And this type of operation won't be tolerated."

References

• « TN State Animal Cruelty Map

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