Puppy mill - 62 dogs seized
Tyler, TX (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, May 26, 2011
County: Smith

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Torri L. Silvas
» Refugio J. Silvas, Jr.

An alleged puppy mill is busted in Smith County. Dozens of dogs, some just a few days old, were living in a 1300 square foot home just outside Tyler at 13513 Ronald Circle. CBS 19's Michele Reese was there as the SPCA of Texas raided the home.

Officials say a woman, Torri Silvas and her husband, Refugio Silvas are being questioned at the scene.

Sixty-two adult dogs and newborn puppies were rescued from the Silvas family home in Smith County Thursday morning.

"There were Maltese, cockers, Pomeranians, Daschunds, Shih Tzu's, and Poodles. All these animals were going into heat and breeding with each other," Deborah Dobbs with the SPCA of East Texas said.

The SPCA said the dogs appear to have been inbred and have serious health issues.

"I saw some animals with cloudy eyes. One dog was missing part of an ear," Maura Davies with the SPCA of Texas said.

Davies said the dogs were living in deplorable conditions inside the home.

"There's feces and urine throughout the house. Puddles on the floor. Some animals are running free."

The SPCA of East Texas has been investigating the Silvas' breeding operation since October 2010. That's when calls started coming into the animal cruelty hotline.

"They (customers) were paying $300-$400 a dog and we have dogs that died in three to four days," Dobbs said. Dobbs said the Silvas were selling the dogs out of their garage, and at First Monday Canton Trade Days.

"It's a source for these millers. This is how they pay their bills. The dogs are a way to make a living and they are not taken care of, " Dobbs said.

The Silvas said they are good breeders.

"The dogs are healthy," Refugio Silva told CBS 9. "She gives them their shots. She has her paperwork all up to snuff."

But neighbors said the Silva's only breed dissent.

"Before I got to the door you could smell the feces odor,"neighbor Rosalind Garrett said. Garrett inside the Silvas home five years ago.

"Dogs were all over the counter the floors. Dogs were everywhere," she said. "I don't know where they sat or ate."

Garrett said since then she has tried to get authorities involved, but no one has raided the home until now, "I say its about time."

After loading up the dogs they were taken to a shelter in McKinney where they will be cared for until the custody hearing.

"'I hoping we can get them back," Silva said.

The hearing will be held June 2nd at 2:30 at the Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 office in Smith County.

The District Attorney Matt Bingham said criminal charges are pending.

References

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