Puppy mill - 82 dogs seized Barry Co., MO (US) Incident Date: Friday, Apr 28, 2006 County: Barry Disposition: Not Charged Case Images: 3 files available Persons of Interest: » Winifred J. May » Stephanie J. Stauffer

Case ID: 8996 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in MO (US) Login to Watch this Case

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced that its inspectors seized 82 dogs at a "substandard" kennel in southern Barry County last month.

Acting on a tip, an inspector with the department's Animal Care Facilities Act program visited the Severn River Kennels earlier this year and found dogs housed in a small garage described by state officials as "substandard and unacceptable."

The inspector also discovered that the owners � Winifred J. May and Stephanie J. Stauffer � did not have a breeder's license and that they had transported 56 of the dogs to Missouri from Indiana, according to a release.

The owners were given 60 days to comply with state regulations, but a follow-up visit by inspectors found that conditions at the kennel had worsened.

Dogs weren't given sufficient water and food receptacles were littered with feces. Officials said puppies were locked in an abandoned van with no food or water and were found sleeping in their own urine and feces.

On April 28 the Barry County Circuit Court issued a warrant ordering the dogs � 81 King Charles cavalier spaniels and one English bulldog with an estimated value of more than $100,000 � impounded and placed into the custody of the ACFA program. The dogs were seized May 1, court records show.

"They were moved to safe shelter where they have been receiving the care necessary to revive them to a healthy state," said Dr. Jerry Eber, ACFA program director.

Once the animals are given a clean bill of health, they will be sold at auction. Proceeds will be used to compensate for inspection costs, veterinary care and court costs, according to the agriculture department.

Cox said no charges have been filed in the case. "A request for charges has not been referred to me yet," he said.

Missouri law defines animal abuse as intentionally killing or injuring an animal in any manner not sanctioned by the state, or failing to provide adequate care or adequate control of animals in one's custody.

Cox said the Severn River case is the most serious he's seen in his four years as prosecutor.

"There are a lot of dog kennels in the county, and the Department of Agriculture works pretty hard to make sure they are being operated in a clean, safe manner," he said.

Severn River Kennels is the sixth facility in Missouri to be shut down by ACFA inspectors this year for substandard operations. Close to 500 animals were rescued from the kennels.

Created by law in 1992, the ACFA program has 12 inspectors who travel year-round to ensure Missouri dogs and cats receive adequate care, shelter, health care and socialization. Through June 1, ACFA inspectors visited 519 kennels statewide.

References

	News-Leader - June 15, 2006
	Missouri Dept of Agriculture - June 13, 2006

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