Acting on information provided by The Humane Society of the United States, sheriff's deputies and animal care and control officers from Macon and Douglas Counties today raided a puppy mill operation in rural central Illinois, from which 55 dogs were seized including two very pregnant mothers.
After receiving a complaint about a puppy mill in the village of Arthur, HSUS Illinois State Director Jordan Matyas contacted the Macon County Animal Control and Care Center. Upon investigation, Center Manager Teresa Weybright found a hut packed with dogs and puppies. The wire cages were stacked three high, and were so small there was barely room for the animals to stand or move. No food or water was available, and there were at least two dead dogs in the cages.
The HSUS coordinated today's raid with Macon County and Douglas County, and also provided medical supplies to take care of the seized dogs. Douglas County took possession of the 55 dogs, all of whom will be held in the Macon County Center pending further action. The dogs were found in horrible conditions, with many injured from living and standing on a wire floor, and they were all covered with fleas and their own urine and feces. The dogs included cocker spaniels, Lhasa apsos, Chihuahuas, schnauzers and poodles.
"The Humane Society of the United States commends the Macon County and Douglas County officials for their efforts to enforce the anti-cruelty law and assist these dogs who were housed in overcrowded, dangerous and filthy conditions," said Matyas. "These dogs now have the chance for a better life because law enforcement officials worked collaboratively to shut down this abusive puppy mill."
Douglas County Animal Control Administrator Dr. Kathleen McManamon was disgusted with the conditions encountered at the site. "What I saw today shocked me both as a member of this community and as a veterinarian," she said. "No animal should be treated so poorly, and I am committed to seeing that these dogs get a better life and that the individuals responsible for these conditions are brought to justice."
Weybright, whose initial investigation of the property culminated in today's actions, also took part in the raid. "These dogs were clearly not being taken care of, there was no food or water and the housing was completely unacceptable," she said. "Today was a great day because we were able to rescue these dogs from this inhumane treatment. This should serve as a warning to all puppy mills that our community won't tolerate this, and that the Macon County Sheriff and I are committed to protecting animals."
Puppy mills are mass dog-breeding operations that house dogs in shockingly poor conditions. Life is particularly bad for "breeding stock," dogs who live their entire lives in cages and are continually bred for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever becoming part of a family. These dogs receive little or no veterinary care and never see a bed, a treat or a toy. After their fertility wanes, breeding animals are commonly killed, abandoned or sold to another mill. The annual result of all this breeding is hundreds of thousands of puppies, many with behavior and/or health problems. For more information about puppy mills, go to http://www.humanesociety.org/stoppuppymills .
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