ILLINOIS -- A tip from someone suspecting an illegal dog fighting operation in rural Peotone Township led police to the discovery of a "puppy mill" operating out of an unheated garage.
Upwards of 49 dogs, some of which were malnourished and dehydrated, were recovered from a garage reeking of urine and covered with dried dog feces, said Will County Sheriff's Spokesman Pat Barry.
Authorities said in another week, at least a dozen could have died.
The dogs, which ranged in age from 3 months to a few years, were found in cages stacked four high. Some were said to have fur matted so badly they couldn't move. Others had open sores.
The dogs are being cared for by the Peoples Animal Welfare Society (P.A.W.S.) in Tinley Park. Two had to receive veterinary care.
Will County sheriff's police assisted in the raid conducted at 10047 W. Offner Road at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Other police units included the Cook County Sheriff's Special Operations Unit and the officers of the State Animal Abuse Task Force.
PUPPY MILL BUSINESS CALLED Phoebee's Puppies
Barry said Nikima Wright, 35, the home's owner, gave police permission to enter the garage to investigate. Barry said Wright, who was not arrested, later gave permission for police to remove the dogs and take them to animal care facilities elsewhere.
According to WLS Channel 7 in Chicago, Wright sold the dogs for $600 to $700 each. She delivered the dogs to her customers, never allowing them to visit her in Peotone.
Nikima L. Wright, who didn't have a license to operate a puppy mill, could face up to 49 counts of animal cruelty.
The anonymous tip came Feb. 20 on the 24-hour hotline of the South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights.
The shelter has its own animal abuse investigation team, but its executive director, Emily Gruszka, said since the call first came in describing a dog fighting ring, they immediately turned information over to Cook County investigators.
Gruszka said that given the conditions of the Peotone puppy mill, she believes it had been operating for "a long time."
"Puppy mills are very, very common," said Gruszka, whose shelter takes in 6,000 animals a year. "I really believe a lot of people who go and buy puppies don't know the situation they were raised in."
Gruszka said her shelter's tip line is "constantly full with calls of suspected abuse and neglect. Ever since the Michael Vick case, we've had a lot more tips on dog fighting."
Vick, a star National Football League quarterback, is currently serving time in federal prison for animal cruelty after a dog fighting ring was discovered on his Virginia property last year.
The dogs rescued Saturday include Maltese, Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, poodles, pugs and mixed breeds. Volunteers donated their time Sunday to help bathe and groom them.
P.A.W.S. shelter officials noted on their Web site that "it will be awhile until the dogs are available for adoption as they must gain weight" and be neutered or spayed.
Those interested in adopting a dog are asked to e-mail the shelter to get updates on their progress.
Complaint Review: Phoebee's Puppies
Submitted: Thu, September 20, 2007
I purchased a puppy from Phoebee's Puppies on a Friday. Nikima Wright came to my home at around 7pm, dropped the dog off, had me sign a contract, told me what kind of food she ate, and left within 30 minutes of meeting me. Saturday evening the dog became ill. She had severe diarrhea, and was sneezing and coughing.
I called Nikima Sunday morning, received no answer, and called her again Sunday afternoon, again receiving no answer. She called me back late Sunday night, saying that the severe diarrhea was a direct result of the food she was eating.
Monday she was still ill, and upon speaking with a vet, was told she probably had a parasite, and a doggie cold. I called Nikima to tell her this, and was immediately yelled at, told I was wrong, she would never sell me a sick dog, and I should just "google" diarrhea and I would see that I was wrong. I told her I would like to return the puppy, saying I did not want to purchase a sick dog. After much grappling she said she would come get the dog that evening. That evening came and went and she never showed up, claiming car issues.
Tuesday I took the dog to the vet, and it was confirmed that she did have a cold, and a parasite. I called Nikima upon the recommendation of the vet, who said that responsible breeders would normally pay half to all of the vet bills because the dog had been sick when it was sold.
I left her a message stating that the puppy was sick, in case any other puppy owners called about sick dogs, and also asked for payment on the vet bills, and told her, as a courtesy that I would be reporting her to the BBB, the AKC,and other dog breeding associations because of her response to my assertion.
She called me back at work, telling me to never call her again, and that I was harrassing her.
Please, please, please, reconsider buying a dog from her. She gives dogs to her friends,and breeds through them, taking one or two of the puppies so that she might sell them. She does not care about the animals, and her demeanor is unpleasant and completely unprofessional.
Erin
Chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.
(The Daily Journal - March 4, 2008)