Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Puppy mill - 67 dogs seized

Puppy mill - 67 dogs seized
Dacula, GA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 16, 2006
County: Gwinnett
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted

Abuser/Suspect: Tyrone Francis Morsello

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

Case ID: 9500

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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A Dacula man who police say operated a puppy mill was arrested on Aug 16 on animal cruelty charges.

People buying pets from Tyrone �Ty� Francis Morsello and his company, World Wide Brokerage U.S.A., complained about the conditions dogs were living in said Cpl. Darren Moloney, spokesman for the Gwinnett County Police Department.

Moloney said the animals had filthy water and lived in dirty conditions. The animals that had been purchased suffered from illnesses associated with neglect, he said.

Morsello, 35, was issued 67 citations for animal cruelty and released. Police serving a search warrant at his home, on 2411 Harbins Road, saw more than half the dogs there suffering from various stages of neglect, Moloney said.

Moloney said about 67 dogs were impounded and taken for treatment. The dogs that were impounded include Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas and Springer Spaniels.

They are being treated by various animal hospitals and rescue organizations.

Case Updates

A Dacula man accused of neglecting dogs and running a puppy mill has been sentenced to five years probation.

Tyrone "Ty" Morsello pleaded guilty Sept. 1 to multiple violations of Gwinnett's animal neglect ordinance. Morsello was ordered to surrender 67 Yorkshire terriers, pomeranians, chihuahuas and springer spaniels he had been keeping at his property at 2411 Harbins Road in Dacula, said Gwinnett County Animal Control Officer Joey Brooks.

Recorders Court Judge Patty Muse also ordered Morsello to give up his kennel license from the state Department of Agriculture. During the five years' probation, Morsello must not have any contact with animals and he must reimburse Gwinnett County Animal Control for veterinary bills from treating the dogs, Brooks said.

The dogs reportedly had dirty drinking water, were not being properly fed and lived in filthy conditions. Several suffered illnesses related to neglect, police said.
"It's unreal how much this stuff is going on," Brooks said, speaking of animal neglect. "People just don't care. I don't know what the problem is."

Several of the dogs required emergency veterinary care, but all are now being cared for by rescue organizations or foster homes.

Source: Gwinnett Daily Post - Sept 8, 2006
Update posted on Sep 11, 2006 - 11:04PM

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On Aug 29, PETA sent an urgent plea to Gwinnett Judicial Circuit Solicitor General Gerald Blaney Jr. urging his office to vigorously prosecute Tyrone Francis Morsello of Dacula. Morsello faces charges stemming from authorities� August 16 discovery of up to 67 dogs who were reportedly kept in dirty conditions at his apparent puppy mill, where only filthy water was provided for them. News sources also state that animals bought from Morsello were suffering from ailments associated with neglect.

�Morsello appears to be either unable or unwilling to provide even the most basic care to animals,� says PETA researcher Dan Paden. �People who demonstrate such blatant disregard for life and desensitization to suffering can pose a serious risk to all animals�including humans�with whom they come into contact.�

PETA is asking that - if convicted and in addition to serving a period of incarceration�Morsello be prohibited from owning or harboring animals and that authorities seize any animals currently in his custody. PETA is also asking that Morsello be required to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling.

Source: PETA Media Center - Aug 29, 2006
Update posted on Aug 31, 2006 - 11:11AM

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A Sept. 7 trial has been set for a Dacula man accused of neglecting dogs and running a puppy mill.

Tyrone "Ty" Morsello appeared briefly in front of Recorder's Court Judge Patricia Muise on Thursday, pleading not guilty to 67 counts of animal cruelty.

His attorney, Bill Cromwell, said he made a motion for discovery to see the county's evidence.

"We're going to have our own vet look at the dogs," Cromwell said.

Both Cromwell and Morsello declined to comment further.

Dr. Melinda Merck, a veterinarian who went to the home at 2411 Harbins Road with animal control officers, said the county's laws on animal care are stricter than the state guidelines that control breeders.

"They are very clearly defined; there is no ambiguity," she said of the laws. "There was no food and water with several of (the dogs), and extremely unsanitary."

Several of the dogs required emergency veterinarian care, and all are now being cared for by various animal hospitals and rescue organizations.

Source: Gwinnett Daily Post - Aug 25, 2006
Update posted on Aug 25, 2006 - 11:09AM

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Puppy mill - 67 dogs seizedDacula, GA (US)

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Puppy mill - 67 dogs seized
Dacula, GA (US)