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Case #9406 Rating: 3.0 out of 5
Puppy mill - 31 dogs seized
Lafayette, OH (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jun 30, 2006
County: Medina
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 12 files available
Defendants/Suspects:
» Alex Czifrak
» Patricia Czifrak
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
Medina County officials removed dozens of dogs from a home they said was filled with feces and urine. A NewsChannel5 viewer contacted investigator Ron Regan through the Whistleblower form about a man selling expensive puppies for hundreds of dollars out of his home.
"They were all stacked in cages in the kitchen," one woman said. "It was totally, totally filled with animal feces."
The NewsChannel5 viewer asked not to be identified, but she agreed to wear an undercover camera while buying a Szhitzu-poodle mix.
Alex Cziflak carried a basketful of puppies from inside his home and sold one to the woman for $200.
"There's no muscle mass at all, its strictly bone," the woman said.
NewsChannel5 said Cziflak sold three more puppies to another couple the next day for $450.
It was the conditions inside the home that raised red flags for the buyers.
"There's not a place on the floor to step, even with my small foot, not to step on poop," she said.
Those complaints brought search warrants to Cziflak's front door. When humane officers arrived, they couldn't believe what they found.
"Urine on the floor -- it was strong enough to burn your nose as you walked through. It would make your eyes water," said Lafayette Police Chief Robert Duncan.
Police officer Steve Clark said there were feces, fleas and gnats everywhere.
"Look how dark the urine is. Dark urine is a sign of dehydration," said Clark.
After 30 minutes, Regan said that animal control officers were still bringing dogs out of the home.
Thirty-one dogs were found inside on a hot summer day with no air conditioning and windows closed, officials said.
"We had 31 dogs that we have every reason to believe were in danger and suffering and we're going to get them to veterinary care right now," said Penny Blake with the Medina County SPCA.
Cziflak was not home when officials arrived, but he now faces 31 counts of animal cruelty. He has not yet been formally charged.
Humane officers said if the dogs remained inside, they could have died.
"Your viewer saved four dogs and rescued them bless their heart, but we want to make sure the rest are OK so the next 31 don't suffer any longer. So with your help and the help of your viewer we were able to get in there and help those dogs," Blake said.
If you would like to learn more, visit the Web site for the Medina County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty To Animals.
Case UpdatesA Lafayette Township couple needed medical help minutes after a Medina judge ordered them handcuffed and locked up on animal cruelty charges Wednesday.
Paramedics took Alex Czifrak, 63, to Medina General Hospital, where he was treated for chest pains and released, a hospital spokesman said.
Paramedics also treated Patricia Czifrak, 58, for breathing problems and lightheadedness in the court's prisoner holding area. By day's end, she was in the Medina County Jail and her husband was in Wade Park VA Medical Center. Chase delayed his 30-day sentence until Wednesday.
Chase sentenced the couple to 30 days in jail and five years' probation on six counts of animal cruelty, a number reduced from 12 in a plea agreement with prosecutors. The Czifraks pleaded guilty on Oct. 5 to charges filed by the Medina County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Tips from dog lovers who purchased malnourished, dehydrated and filthy Shih Tzu puppies at the Czifraks' Egypt Road home led to a society search in July and removal of 32 dogs. Society humane officer Penny Blake's report describes filthy conditions in the home and dogs with thickly matted fur.
Chase said Wednesday that before sentencing, the Czifraks maintained to his staff that the animals were well cared for. Public defender Linda O'Toole said Alex Czifrak was on disability for several medical conditions and care of the dogs fell solely to his wife, who was overwhelmed by the job.
Still, Chase blamed both for the inhumane care the dogs received. Those dogs have all found new, loving homes, Blake said. Several owners were in court to witness the outcome of the case.
Chase also ordered the Czifraks to reimburse the humane society $9,645 for the costs of rehabilitating the dogs. | Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - Dec 14, 2006
Update posted on Dec 14, 2006 - 1:47PM |
A man collapsed in court after being sentenced for animal cruelty. Alex and Patricia Czifrak were convicted of animal cruelty after several small-breed dogs were found living in filthy conditions over the summer.
Alex Czifrak was taken to an area hospital. There's no word on his condition.
More than 30 dogs were found during an investigation.
The judge sentenced the couple to spend 30 days in jail and pay more than $9,000 in restitution.
Czifrak had health problems last summer and he said it made it difficult for him to care for the dogs. | Source: Newsnet 5 - Dec 13, 2006
Update posted on Dec 13, 2006 - 9:22PM |
An Egypt Road couple who failed to properly care for 32 dogs they had advertised for sale pleaded guilty Wednesday to six counts each of cruelty to animals
Alex and Patricia Czifrak appeared before Medina Municipal Judge Dale Chase. The couple withdrew a motion to have the animals returned to them, instead agreeing to turn them over to the Medina County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The two pleaded guilty to the charges in exchange for dismissal of an additional six counts of cruelty to companion animals. Chase delayed sentencing until the Probation Department can complete a presentence investigation.
Humane officer Penny Blake led a search of the Czifraks' home July 25 after receiving a tip from a WEWS (Channel 5) news reporter. Investigators charged that many of the 32 Shih Tzus removed from the home were emaciated, dehydrated and urine-soaked. Some had flies nesting in matted hair.
The Czifraks were hoping to sell the dogs for up to $500 each.
Medina County SPCA prosecutor Jeffrey Holland said in a telephone interview Thursday, that he will recommend to Chase that the couple be put on five years' probation -- the maximum time allowed. In addition, he will ask the judge to forbid them from owning another animal.
``With no prior criminal record, I don't expect them to get jail time,'' Holland said. ``But they would have a jail term hanging over their heads. And for five years, they would be monitored and there could be random inspections of their home.''
Holland also wants Alex and Patricia Czifrak to pay restitution of more than $9,000 to Medina County SPCA -- the cost of healing and caring for the animals since they were removed from the home.
Blake said now Medina SPCA will spend an additional $5,000 to sterilize the dogs in preparation for adoption. Ten puppies were born since the confiscation, bringing the total to 42 dogs up for adoption.
The animals are available through the SPCA for a fee of $125. Some will be adopted by the families who currently foster them, Blake said.
Anyone interested in owning one should write a letter of intent to Medina County SPCA at P.O. Box 135, Medina, OH 44258. Include a letter of recommendation from a veterinarian, Blake said.
The organization also is accepting donations to help defray the costs of caring for these and other abused animals rescued by humane officers.
``We're not in the business of selling animals,'' Blake said. ``We're in the business of making sure they have good homes. We certainly want the best for these little guys. They're ready for their forever homes.'' | Source: Beacon News - Oct 6, 2006
Update posted on Oct 8, 2006 - 4:08PM |
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