Puppy Mill - 30 dogs, 14 cats - 2 dogs found dead Bedford, NH (US) Incident Date: Thursday, Jun 12, 2003 County: Hillsborough Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Case Images: 3 files available Alleged: » Edmond Cammarota » Tatiana Holmes Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Case ID: 1540 Classification: Hoarding Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in NH (US) Login to Watch this Case

A man was arrested on several counts of animal cruelty after police searched his house on Grey Rock Road yesterday and found two dead dogs, as well as scores of dogs and cats, some in poor health.

Bedford Police Capt. Paul Roy said 30 dogs and 14 cats were removed from the residence of Ed Cammarota, 56, who had been selling the dogs on line. Cammarota's children were taken into custody by the state and charges may be pending against his wife, Roy said. The case is still under investigation.

The number of charges Cammarota will face is still undetermined, but they are misdemeanors, with a penalty of up to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail, Roy said. The number and the severity of animal cruelty charges hinge on the condition of the animals taken from the house, Roy said. Also under investigation is whether Cammarota had approval from the proper authorities to sell the animals.

A few of the animals taken from the house required medical attention, Roy said. He said they were malnourished. A horse trailer was used to remove the animals.

The conditions in the house were such that Wayne Richardson, the code official for the town's building/health department, posted a notice to vacate on the front door until the house is cleaned and disinfected.

The dogs were in the basement, garage and attic of the house, and while some were in crates or kennels, others were allowed to move freely through the house, Roy said.

Richardson said feces and urine from the animals was allowed to accumulate for days before being cleaned.

While the waste was generally contained in certain parts of the house, microscopic particles could seep into the building materials. The particles could contain worms or parasites, and the presence of two small children in the house created a health concern, Richardson said.

"Children are extremely susceptible," he said. "That's why I got involved."

Roy said police began investigating Cammarota in late April after someone who went to the house to buy an animal complained about the conditions. After another complaint last week and an investigation, police decided to move in, Roy said.

"We felt we had enough to approach the judge for a search warrant," Roy said.

Bedford Police coordinated their efforts with the New Hamphire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the state veterinarian and Bedford Animal Hospital.

"We wanted to be able to house any number of animals we would have found," Roy said, noting that most were taken to the SPCA in Stratham.

Cammarota was selling English and French bulldogs under the name Bulldogs4you, which displayed photos of the puppies at   (Note:  the website has been shutdown) In one online posting, Commarota wrote, "We have a new litter, 8 weeks old, males and females. Puppies come with first shots and deworming, VER Certificate, written health guarantee. We will pay for half the cost of shipping if needed."

"I've never seen this before," Richardson said of the conditions.

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References

	Manchester Union Leader
	The WMUR Channel
	The Nashua Telegraph
	The Boston Herald
	The Exeter News
	The Portsmouth Herald
	The Boston Channel

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