Case Report

Humane Society officials on Feb 21, 2003 seized more than 70 beagles from a pet store owner who is already facing charges of animal cruelty and selling sick dogs. Six beagle puppies and a baby iguana were taken from the man's store because they needed immediate veterinary care. Officials said the iguana was near death.

Three beagle puppies tested positive for parvo -- an often-fatal virus that primarily affects puppies -- at Puppies Plus Pet Shop on West Mission Boulevard, owned by Ronald Edward Gaddie, and at least one beagle at the man's residence had the virus, officials said.

"It's a pretty big case because he's already been convicted of the same thing in 1994. I think it's pretty severe," said Allie Jalbert, humane investigator with the Inland Valley Humane Society. 

Three customers who bought puppies at Gaddie's shop in Ontario complained their dogs were sick with parvo or pneumonia, Jalbert said.

"Parvovirus is a disease that incubates in the animal's body for seven to 14 days, so the animal can appear healthy to the person who is purchasing it and come down with the virus later," Jalbert said.

The Humane Society began investigating the complaints in January and served a search warrant on the pet shop the 21st.

They also found records in the store indicating several other customers complained about being sold animals who were ill.  Humane Society officials found 70 puppies and adult beagles that were kept in wire cages at the man's Juniper Avenue home. Also seized were 20 rabbits which also appeared to be used for breeding, Jalbert said.

A preliminary injunction had been issued against Gaddie in November, barring him from breeding or selling dogs, Jalbert said. The Humane Society said the man has a history of illegal dog breeding, having been convicted in 1994 of selling sick dogs from a kennel in Chino.

The Humane Society began investigating Gaddie in 1999 for similar complaints and he was charged last year with animal cruelty and selling sick animals, officials said.

The Humane Society plans to send information on the new incidents to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, which will decide whether new charges will be filed, Jalbert said.

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