Case Details

Two dogs shot by unlicensed breeder
Marion, IN (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Jul 3, 1995
County: Grant
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted

Abuser/Suspect: Kellie S Stephens

Case ID: 5999
Classification: Shooting, Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently charged licensed animal dealer Kellie S. Stephens, doing business as Teay's River Valley Ranch, Inc., in Marion, Ind., with violations of the Animal Welfare Act.

Dale F. Schwindaman, deputy administrator for regulatory enforcement and animal care with the Animal and Plant Inspection Service, a part of USDA's marketing and regulatory programs mission area, said that the charges against Stephens and Teay's are based on APHIS inspections.

On Dec. 29, 1994, Stephens refused to allow APHIS inspectors to inspect her records. When the inspectors returned on Dec. 30, 1994, and twice on Jan. 3, 1995, Stephens again refused to allow access to her dealers' records. APHIS inspectors also found that Stephens had failed to provide necessary veterinary care to two dogs suffering from severe skin lesions. When APHIS inspectors returned on Jan. 3, 1995, for a third attempt at an inspection, they found that the two dogs had apparently been shot and killed. Using a shotgun to destroy these dogs is a violation of the Act.

In addition, on at least six occasions between June 5, 1992, and Sept. 30, 1992, Stephens allegedly falsified her dog acquisition records, claiming that a group of 12 dogs were acquired from a St. Joseph, Mo., municipal pound.

APHIS inspectors also found that on 45 occasions between Oct. 18, 1991, and Nov. 6, 1992, the respondents acquired a total of 357 dogs from "D & K" or "D & K pound." The inspectors were unable to physically locate this pound or shelter as an entity but determined that even if the pound or shelter did exist it was not licensed.

Each acquisition is considered a violation of the Act, Schwindaman added.

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References

USDA   April 16, 1996

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