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Case #18459 Rating: 1.8 out of 5
Puppy mill - 217 small breed dogs seized
Talladega, AL (US)Incident Date: Monday, Aug 10, 2009
County: Talladega
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 1 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Millie Henderson
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
The owner and operator of an alleged puppy mill on Cemetery Mountain that was raided Monday afternoon turned herself in to the Talladega County Sheriff's Office Wednesday afternoon.
Millie Henderson, 62, of 1799 Cemetery Mountain Road, is charged with 51 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. She was released from the Talladega County Jail after posting a $1,000 bond, according to Talladega Police Chief Alan Watson. If convicted, she faces up to six months in jail on each charge.
Sheriff's deputies, along with Talladega Police and Animal Control and volunteers from Sylacauga and Pell City removed 217 mostly small breed dogs from Henderson's residence Monday.
The mothers with young puppies (including litters that were only one day old and three days old when the animals were rescued) were generally kept in clean, cool conditions, but many of the other animals were kept in cages outside, in filthy conditions. Several had open sores, and some had maggots underneath them. The smell of feces hung heavily, according to several people who were present during the raid.
The majority of the dogs were taken to the animal shelter in Talladega, but about 65 went to the shelter in Pell City.
Although the alleged mill was outside the city's jurisdiction, the county does not have a shelter or any animal control personnel, thus the joint effort.
Personnel at the Talladega Shelter began work Thursday afternoon to get all of the dogs from outside bathed and trimmed. Several of these dogs had tremendous amounts of matted fur all over them.
The shelter is asking for donations, particularly of dog and puppy food, cleaning supplies, towels and blankets and, if possible, kennels with grate floors.
Over the weekend, when the shelter is closed, donations may be dropped off at the Talladega Fire Department. Also, Tractor Supply Company will deliver any donated items purchased there to the shelter.
Volunteers are also needed, particularly those with some experience in dog grooming.
None of the Cemetery Mountain dogs is currently available for adoption. By law, they cannot be adopted out until after the criminal case against Henderson has been resolved. There are other dogs and cats currently living at the shelter that are available for adoption, however. The fee is $45 for a dog and $35 for a cat, with the adoption fee entitling the owner to a certificate for spaying or neutering.
The Talladega animal shelter is located off South McMillian Street. Supervisor Jessica McDonald can be reached at 256-362-5856. Donations may also be sent to P.O. Box 498, Talladega, Alabama, 35161.
Case UpdatesMillie Henderson, the owner and operator of a puppy mill on Cemetery Mountain Road, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty Thursday in front of District Judge Jeb Fannin, according to Talladega Police Chief Alan Watson.
Earlier this month, Talladega County Sheriff's Deputies and city Animal Control workers removed 217 dogs Henderson's residence, including two litters of puppies less than a week old at the time. The mothers and puppies were well cared for, but several of the other dogs on the property were kept in filthy outdoor cages, some with open sores. The smell of excrement hung heavily around the area.
"Judge Fannin emphasized that this was a case more about neglect than about abuse or physical cruelty," Watson said. "This was not anything intentional, it was a case of a lady who got in over her head, got overwhelmed."
Fannin sentenced Henderson to pay fines and court costs, and she willingly signed over custody of the all the seized dogs to Talladega Animal Control.
Animal Control Supervisor Jessica McDonald immediately began making arrangements for some of the animals to go to various rescue groups specializing in dogs with health problems or other special needs. All but one of Henderson's clients has been refunded, but Watson said there was one that insisted on getting the puppies she paid for.
The remainder of the dogs will be put up for adoption.
"We're going to be adopting them out individually, and making sure they go to good homes, to people who will take care of them the way they need to be taken care of. It's really a good outcome for everyone. She's out from under all the dogs, and now the dogs are going to go to good homes, where they will be good pets."
Images of the dogs available for adoption are being posted on www.petfinder.com.
News of the raid inspired an outpouring of support from dog lovers everywhere. Cash donations to the shelter totaled almost $4,000, and huge amounts of dog food, cleaning supplies, blankets and other donations came rolling in as well.
In addition to the Cemetery Mountain dogs, there are also plenty of other dogs and cats at the shelter that are also available for adoption.
The fee is $45 for a dog and $35 for a cat, with the adoption fee entitling the owner to a certificate for spaying or neutering.
Read more: The Daily Home - Woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty | Source: dailyhome.com - Aug 29, 2009
Update posted on Aug 21, 2011 - 9:47AM |
References« AL State Animal Cruelty Map
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