Puppy mill - 205 dogs
Cartersville, GA (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006
County: Bartow

Disposition: Not Charged

Person of Interest: Katherine Culberson

Katherine Culberson of Cartersville died last month, leaving behind 205 dogs with uncertain futures.

Animal rights activists now worry their futures may not be fit for a dog.

Culberson ran Hillview Kennels and sold the puppies from dozens of dogs she kept for breeding. Michael Prieto, an attorney who has been appointed administrator for the estate, said there isn't enough money to maintain the dogs while the estate is being settled. So probate Judge Mitchell Scoggins has ordered the dogs sold at auction Saturday at the Bartow County Animal Shelter.

"We're trying to do right by these dogs," Prieto said. He said the dogs and kennel were in rough shape, but he brought in a veterinarian to vaccinate the dogs and treat ailments and he hired workers to clean up the kennels and dogs. Some of the sicker dogs were placed with rescue groups, and those that don't sell Saturday also will go to a no-kill rescue group.

But local animal rescue groups are furious that the dogs are being sold, saying that breeders will buy many of them and continue their life as forced puppy producers. Culberson focused on highly salable small dogs - Chihuahuas, Malteses, Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians, Pekingeses and dachshunds - and Prieto said he's had interest from breeders.

The rescue groups say people who want to buy the dogs for pets might not realize what they're getting into with a dog that has spent its life breeding. Many of the 165 adult dogs, which range in age from 3 to 10 years, will have physical and socialization problems, they say. There also are 40 puppies in the sale.

Anne Stockton, head of Small Dog Rescue in Atlanta, said the group took in four dogs from the kennel before the judge decided to hold an auction.

"They all had terrible teeth. One Chi had to have almost all of her teeth removed," Stockton said. "They had worms, they aren't housebroken and they all need socialization. They're very shy and scared because they aren't used to being handled."

Melissa Tupps, co-founder of Southern Comfort Maltese Rescue, said dogs kept for breeding can become wonderful pets, but they usually need medical care, and then time, patience and a quiet environment where they can learn to trust people.

She said her group will be at the auction to try and buy the Malteses so they can get them medical care and socialize them before adopting them out.

The auction starts at 10 a.m. at the Bartow County Animal Shelter at 50 Ladd's Mountain Road, Cartersville. There will be a $100 minimum bid on each dog and only cash will be accepted. All sales are final, Prieto said. For information, call 770-387-5153.

References

• Atlanta Journal Constitution - April 28, 2006

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