Animal Abuse: Puppy mill - nearly 300 dogs and puppies seized - Hudson, NC

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Case ID: 18100

Classification: Hoarding

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Attorneys/Judges

Defense(s):	Thomas Whisnant, Scott Reilly
Judge(s):	Thomas Edwards, Burford Cherry

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Case #18100 Rating: 1.0 out of 5

Puppy mill - nearly 300 dogs and puppies seized
Hudson, NC (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Jun 16, 2011
County: Caldwell

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available

Defendant/Suspect: William Thomas Allen

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Caldwell County Animal Control officers took nearly 300 dogs into custody from a suspected puppy mill in Hudson Thursday.

SLIDESHOW:
But Alboum said that's changing.

"I think it's going to take a little bit of TLC and some medical care and they're going to have wonderful lives," she said.

A temporary shelter for the dogs is being paid for by
The dogs will be picked up by various rescue shelters this weekend for rehabilitation and medical care, officials said. The dogs are not available for immediate adoption, as they will stay in the custody of the shelters until they have completed the necessary medical care.

Anyone interested in adopting one of the dogs should contact the following shelters next week for more information as to when they will be available.

• Humane Society of Charlotte
•
•

Caldwell County officials said the kennels are owned by William Thomas Allen, and that charges are pending in the case.

A relative of Allen's spoke on the family's behalf Thursday.

"As far as I know, they don't think they've done anything wrong," Bill Weaver said.

According to the Mason Creek Kennels website, Allen has 28 years of selective breeding experience and full American Kennel Club accreditation. The website lists the breeds available as Boston terrier, French bulldog, Japanese chin, MaltiPoo, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Shih Poo, Shorkie Tzu and Yorkie puppies.

SLIDESHOW: .

Humane Society officials urged people who want to help to give donations to local shelters and to lobby their local legislator to pass a bill that would create minimum care standards for commercial pet breeders in North Carolina.

More Information:

Case Updates

he owner of a kennel where nearly 300 puppies and dogs were seized in June pleaded guilty to more than 100 of animal cruelty on Thursday.

William "Bill" Thomas Allen plead guilty to 104 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and two misdemeanor counts of failing to bury deceased animals.

The animals were seized from the Allen's property on Thursday, June 16. Officials said they found hundreds of puppies living in deplorable conditions at the Mason Creek Kennel in Hudson.

In a Caldwell County courtroom Thursday, Allen received a 45 day suspended sentence and a 3 year probation, and more punishment may still be handed down.

Prosecutors did not seek the maximum punishment against Allen. "Because of his health issues, he did not need to go to jail," said Investigator Shannan Foster.

In addition to the suspended sentence and probation, the judge ordered Allen to pay a fine of $100 and court costs and not to be in the business of buying or selling animals.

Allen, who is confined to a wheelchair, was charged after 34 warrants were drawn up on the misdemeanor cruelty charges.

The Caldwell County Health Department executed the search and seizure warrant for 276 dogs at the kennel, located about 55 miles northwest of Charlotte.

Officials said Allen had dozens of kennels containing a variety of dog breeds including Bichon Frise, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Japanese Chins, and Pomeranians.

Allen, who was warned in May to clean up his kennels, talked to WBTV in June and said that he is disabled from diabetes and wasn't getting enough help.

"Sales have been really bad and they just accumulated," said Allen, who also confirmed he wouldn't try to ever breed dogs again. "I thought I did what I needed to do."

All of the puppies seized from Allen's kennel have been given to various rescue groups to adopt out once the animals receive a clean bill of health.

"I just didn't have enough time," Allen said. "I did love em, I do love dogs...(this is the) first time I haven't had one at my place."

Officials say Allen surrendered 37 animals to animal control two weeks before the seizure.

Following his arrest, Allen was released from custody on a written promise to appear in court because he's cooperated with the investigation. His first court appearance was scheduled for July 21.

Veterinarians who examined the dogs that were seized said there was no evidence the animals had been beaten or tortured.

Dr. Donna Craig said, "It was a case of neglect, chronic neglect."

Dr. Craig said many animals were sick and had matted fur that was causing other disease problems.

Foster said he felt he had no choice but to charge Allen, though he felt it was a case of the puppy business getting out of hand, and that while Allen tried to take care of the animals, he couldn't because of health issues.

The dogs were temporarily housed at a shelter at the Caldwell County Fairgrounds on Highway 321 in Lenoir. Caldwell County Animal Control (CCAC) kept only five of the 276 dogs seized from Thomas' property.

Of that five, two Pomeranians were adopted. The other three dogs were still receiving medical check-ups.

The remaining 271 animals rescued were dispersed throughout seven shelters in North Carolina and Virginia.

Forty of the dogs were taken to the Humane Society in Charlotte, where officials said there was such an outpouring of support, they couldn't accept any more food donations.

According to the Better Business Bureau of Southern Piedmont, Mason Creek Kennels had an "F" rating for "failing to respond to complaints.

"The business had four complaints of which two complaints are unanswered and one complaint is unresolved," said BBB Spokeswoman Janet Hart. "Of the four complaints, one complaint involved a guarantee or warranty issue and three complaints involved problems with the 'products' purchased."
Alboum says the state has failed to pass anti-puppy mill legislation for the past three years.

Opponents of the proposed legislation called it "overly broad" saying it targeted almost everyone that owned a dog and wanted to breed it.

Officials said if communities want to enforce animal abuse laws better, people should report these violations to their local animal control office.

Source: wistv.com - Sep 29, 2011
Update posted on Sep 29, 2011 - 4:42PM

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A man charged with more than 100 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty got a court-appointed attorney Thursday.

Bill Allen was charged with 104 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty after nearly 300 dogs were seized from his property in June. Caldwell County Animal Control said the dogs were kept in crowded, inhumane conditions.

William Thomas Allen, 54, was in court Thursday on 104 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges relating to what many have called a puppy mill.

Animal Control officers served a search warrant on Allen's Mason Creek Kennel on June 16. The business at 4869 Free Mason Road southwest of Sawmills specialized in small purebred dogs like French Bulldogs, Bichon Frises and Boston Terriers.

The majority of the 276 dogs and puppies were kept in small hutches inside and beside a barn on the property. More than 50 hutches sat in rows under the sun. About half had pieces of tin on top while the others provided no shelter from the elements. The cages stood above piles of putrid filth dotted with rat holes.

Allen also lived in squalor. One room in his home was filled from floor to ceiling with crates of K-9 mothers and their puppies. Their fur was matted with their own waste.

It took more than 30 officers and volunteers all day to seize all of the dogs and puppies from the property.

On Thursday, District Court Judge Thomas Edwards told Allen he was facing more than 38 years in the department of corrections.

Allen said he understood and asked to be assigned a court-appointed attorney because he is not working and has no source of income.

Thomas Whisnant was assigned to represent him. Allen's next court date was scheduled for August 25.

Allen said he's been a dog breeder for the last 20 years. He was frustrated as he left the courtroom and expressed no remorse.

"I should have my dogs," Allen said. "I didn't do nothing wrong."

A wheelchair-bound diabetic contending with a number of health issues, Allen said he was forced to rely on his employees to care for his dogs. He said his employees failed him.

When the dogs were seized, the majority of them needed medical attention for conditions related to neglect.

Vets have treated many of the dogs for eye, ear and dental problems �" conditions common in puppy mills.

Kim Alboum is the North Carolina state director for the Humane Society of the United States. She and her organization played a crucial support role in the seizure of the dogs, housing, care and distribution of them to rescue organizations.

Many have since been adopted.

Alboum said the public outcry has been severe in the aftermath of the raid and the seizure of the dogs. Many are asking how they can help.

Source: hickoryrecord.com - Jul 21, 2011
Update posted on Jul 22, 2011 - 5:18PM

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Many of the 276 dogs and puppies seized in a raid on Mason Creek Kennel on June 16 have been adopted out to new families.

Others are facing a more complicated path to a new life.

The kennel owner, William Thomas Allen, is facing 104 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. A wheelchair-bound diabetic contending with a number of health issues, Allen said he was forced to rely on his employees to care for his dogs. He said his employees failed him.

When the dogs were seized, the majority of them needed medical attention for conditions related to neglect.

Kim Alboum, North Carolina state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said that many of the dogs are recovering after veterinary procedures. Vets have treated many of the dogs for eye, ear and dental problems �" conditions common in puppy mills.

Puppy mills are facilities were dogs are poorly cared for and kept in filthy conditions that constituted cruelty.

"Thousands has been spent on dental work. Many of the dogs had teeth that had rotted all the way into their jaws," she said.

One dog's jaw was broken, because its rotting teeth had weakened it so badly. Other dogs have worn or broken teeth that needed removal. A Guilford County rescue group took in 40 dogs and most need dental work, Alboum said. One had to have 11 teeth pulled.

Dental work that extensive can cost $1,000 or more.

The Humane Society of the United States and its donor partners pay for the work, because local animal shelters are facing crippling budget cutbacks across the state.

Several dogs lived in Allen's home. One room was filled from floor to ceiling with crates of mothers and their puppies. A French bulldog named Jack lived in the home amid the squalor.

When officials removed it from the home, they thought it had a tumor, Alboum said. Further examinations revealed that Jack was suffering from a hernia so severe his bladder and colon came through the tear.

The veterinarian who repaired the damage had very little intact muscle tissue to work with and the first surgery caused a second hernia, which was also surgically repaired, Alboum said.

Jack is still the property of the Caldwell County Animal Shelter and will not be adopted out until he has made a full recovery. He is recovering in a veterinary hospital in Winston-Salem, Alboum said.

A second French bulldog, Abigail, was taken by the Winston-Salem rescue group called Saving Grace.

At first veterinarians thought Abigail would need ear surgery. Her ear canal was swollen shut by a mix of parasites and fungus, Alboum said.

The dog has responded so well to treatment that the surgery will not be needed.

"What we find with puppy mill dogs is that, with medical care and a little bit of tender loving care, they really do rebound quickly."

Abigail lives with Alboum who's fostering the dog in an effort to acclimate her to a more normal life in an effort to get her ready for adoption.

"Abigail is unsure of everything around her," Alboum said. "She's never heard a TV. She didn't know what a doorbell was."

The dog's response to the unfamiliar noises is to lie flat and motionless on the ground.

In the dog rescue community, the behavior is known as "pancake syndrome" and it's common among puppy mill dogs, Album said. She's especially afraid of newspapers �" whether they're rolled up or flat.

Over time, Abigail is learning that some new noises, like the sound of Alboum's car pulling up in the driveway, mean something good is about to happen.

"Over a couple days time, you see dogs rescued from puppy mills beginning to acknowledge the good things," Alboum said. "It's amazing how quickly they learn to be regular dogs."

These days Abigail's favorite thing to do is go outside and roll in the grass �" something she may never have gotten to do before if she'd lived her whole life in a small wire hutch.

Allen is scheduled to appear in court on July 21 on his cruelty to animals charges.

Alboum said the public outcry has been severe in the aftermath of the raid and the seizure of the dogs. Many are asking how they can help.

Her suggestion is to follow the HSUS' lead and donate to the Caldwell County Animal Control Shelter. Album's organization is working to improve conditions for the animals housed there.

Want to help:

Send a check to Caldwell County Animal Control Shelter, 829 Fairview Dr., SW, 1966-B Morganton Blvd., SW, Lenoir, NC 28645. Put "shelter renovations" in the subject line.

Source: hickoryrecord.com - Jul 10, 2011
Update posted on Jul 10, 2011 - 9:20PM

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Caldwell County officials said Friday they were aware of worsening conditions at a now-closed kennel but were thwarted from acting by laws that don't address minimum standards for commercial breeders.

On Thursday, animal control officers raided Mason Creek Kennels, where they seized 276 dogs, mostly smaller breeds, including some with serious ailments and infections and living in small, feces-encrusted cages.

By Friday, the county shelter was flooded by calls from people who want to help or adopt the rescued dogs.

Greg Greene, Caldwell County's animal control director, said officers had gone to the kennel several times in recent years and had asked the owner, William "Bill" Thomas Allen, to make changes.

"He used to do a real good job and had a nice facility," Greene said of the kennel on Free Mason Road in Hudson, about 70 miles northwest of Charlotte.

Initially, Allen complied, Greene said, but over the past two years, the standard of care for the animals had declined steadily.

But it wasn't until this week that investigators felt they had legal justification to seize the animals from the kennel, where they found dogs kept in dirty kennels or small, stacked cages. Now, Allen will face charges of animal neglect and cruelty - both misdemeanors.

"There are no laws on the books about puppy mills," Greene said. "We have to wait until they fit the criteria for neglect and cruelty."

It's unclear how many of the nation's 10,000 commercial dog breeders would qualify as puppy mills, said Kim Alboum, the N.C. director of the Humane Society of the United States, which assisted in the rescue of the dogs.

Another group, In Defense of Animals, said a few Midwestern states are home to the nation's largest concentration of puppy mills.

But commercial breeders aren't regulated unless they sell to pet stores or research labs, Alboum said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates those types of breeders. But unless states pass more stringent laws, there are no minimum standards for commercial breeders who sell directly to the public.

Alboum said N.C. animal advocates have been pushing for three years for a state law to set breeder requirements for veterinary care, housing and exercise. The bill stalled in the General Assembly after some lawmakers said it was too divisive. Among the opponents was the N.C. Pork Council, which represents the multibillion-dollar pork industry and feared influence from the Humane Society.

As other states regulate breeders, some irresponsible breeders have moved to North Carolina to avoid the new rules, Alboum said.

"We've become a state of choice for people who don't want to follow the rules," she said.

Alboum said she differentiates between commercial breeders and puppy mills. Some breeders keep their dogs in healthy condition and require buyers to fill out applications before adopting. Others, such as Mason Creek Kennels, sell puppies online.

"No questions asked," Alboum said.

Complaints in the past

On Friday, veterinarians were examining the dogs at an emergency shelter set up in an exhibit hall at the Caldwell County Fairgrounds.

Rescuers said they saw the results of long-term neglect: severe ear infections, nails grown into the pads of their feet, matted fur so bad it's torn the skin, uterine infections from being overbred and female dogs with infected mammary glands.

Those examinations - and the extent of the dogs' injuries and illnesses - will help determine the severity of the criminal charges Allen will face, Greene said.

Last week, Allen surrendered 37 dogs to animal control. Most of them were older females that were no longer able to produce puppies. All had to be euthanized, Greene said.

He said Allen had hired help to care for the dogs because the 53-year-old is disabled and wasn't able to go to the area where the dogs were housed.

"That doesn't excuse them being in the shape they're in," Greene said.

The Better Business Bureau gave the kennels an F rating for failing to respond to complaints. The kennel had four complaints filed against it over the past three years. One of the complaints involved a guarantee or warranty issue and three concerned problems with the "products" purchased. Two complaints were unanswered, and one is unresolved.

The Mason Creek Kennels website advertises a two-year health warranty on its puppies, which include Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians, Boston terriers and French bulldogs.

Dogs coming to Charlotte

Beginning this weekend, the rescued dogs will be distributed among five shelters across North Carolina and Virginia, including the Humane Society of Charlotte. Those shelters will handle the adoptions next week, once the animals' health improves.

A few of the dogs will be kept at the Caldwell shelter, but they won't be available for adoption because of the ongoing case and the dogs' need for medical care, officials said.

The Caldwell animal shelter will be closed this weekend, so employees can help veterinarians care for the dogs. The shelter will reopen at 10 a.m. Monday.

The Humane Society of Charlotte is expecting to receive about 40 dogs today. Then the dogs will be evaluated and placed in foster care until they're healthy and ready for adoption.

Alboum said she's hopeful none of the rescued dogs will have to be euthanized, but many will require lengthy rehabilitation.

"When you have dogs that have never walked on carpet or played on grass, those are dogs that need more emotional support," she said.

Greene said the public's response to news of the dogs and willingness to help was overwhelming, but there are countless animals in local shelters that need a home, he said.

"We're asking that people remember those animals, too."

More Information

Source: charlotteobserver.com - Jun 19, 2011
Update posted on Jun 19, 2011 - 12:07PM

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Puppy mill - nearly 300 dogs and puppies seizedHudson, NC (US)

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Puppy mill - nearly 300 dogs and puppies seized
Hudson, NC (US)