Puppy mill - 67 dogs seized
Chicago, IL (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009
County: Cook
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Demetria Newell
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Almost 70 puppies were found Tuesday living in a West Englewood residence, some in filthy bird cages, officials said.
"I couldn't believe it: the chaos, the noise, the smell," Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said outside the small home while holding two shivering Chihuahua puppies. Dart, who took part in the raid, garnered national attention last fall after he briefly suspended evictions for mortgage foreclosures in the county. Earlier this month, the sheriff sued Craigslist.com for allegedly facilitating prostitution.
In a news conference Tuesday outside the residence in the 6400 block of South Bell Avenue, Dart carried the tiny dogs out in cages for cameramen to photograph. The dogs�"mainly Chihuahuas, but also a Yorkshire terrier, Pomeranians and a pug mix�"yipped and yelped during the procession but did not look underfed or ill.
Dart said the animals would be checked out by a veterinarian at Chicago Animal Care and Control and would likely be available for adoption in coming days. For information on adoption, call 312-747-1406. Demetria Newell, 38, of the Bell Avenue address, was charged with 67 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, while another resident, David Hayes, 37, was charged with felony possession of marijuana, authorities said. Dart said the puppies were being sold for $475 apiece at the alleged puppy mill.
Underneath a neon dog sign outside the house was a placard that read: "Warning: This is a 15th Ward Block Club Watch Area and we know our police."
Case UpdatesThree dogs that endured horrific treatment in a forced breeding operation are now safe in a Grayslake shelter.
Two Chihuahuas and a miniature pinscher were among nearly 70 dogs rescued last week from what authorities called a "puppy mill" in Chicago.
The animals are now at Save-A-Pet and are available for adoption, shelter manager Dana Deutsch said Tuesday.
"We are looking for donations and foster homes to help get these little ones back on their feet and into new forever homes," she said.
The dogs were rescued after agents from the Cook County Sheriff's Police and the U.S. Department of Agriculture raided a home on the South Side.
Authorities removed the dogs from a home where police say some animals were stuffed into bird cages and living without adequate food or water. A minority of the dogs were puppies. Most were adult dogs used as breeding stock.
Once news of the raid hit the airwaves, hundreds of people showed up at Chicago Animal Care and Control hoping to adopt the dogs. Representing Save-A-Pet, Deutsch showed up to take as many dogs as possible. "People were lined up around the block," she said. "But by then, the dogs had been given to local shelters."
Deutsch said the 8-month-old miniature pinscher, and 5-year-old Chihuahua are both in good health after receiving veterinary treatment. The other Chihuahua is 10 years old and is still getting medical care, but will be ready for adoption soon. The adoption fee is $150 per dog, Deutsch said.
Puppy mills typically force adult dogs to breed continuously in filthy and dangerous conditions, Deutsch explained. Profit is the primary motivation.
"People need to realize how horrific and how common these are," she said.
Founded in 1972, Save-A-Pet currently has about 130 dogs and 200 cats at their place in Grayslake. They also have 60 dogs and nearly 100 cats in foster care. All are awaiting adoption. For details, call (847) 740-7788 | Source: Daily Herald - March 31, 2009
Update posted on Mar 31, 2009 - 10:59PM |
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