6/04/13: Puppy Mill Owner Jailed

GEORGIA -- Investigators say a "puppy mill" was a horrible case of animal neglect, after the owner of more than 50 dogs turned them over to animal control officers.

Volunteers at Best Friends Humane Society have their hands full trying to nurse the animals back to health.

 

 

"24 adults and 29 puppies-- some of the puppies don't even have their eyes open yet," said Shelly McPhaul of the Humane Society.

Thursday morning, dozens of neglected dogs were brought in by the truckload after they were discovered on Dykes Road.

 

"They were in filthy living conditions, in storage containers mommas with puppies in these kennels, covered in feces, no water no food--- rats were running across the puppies in these kennels. It was a disgusting situation," said McPhaul.

Animal Control officers, a veterinarian, law enforcement officers and officials with the department of agriculture were on scene for hours...investigating the deplorable living conditions called the worst they'd ever seen. Dogs of all ages and breeds living in filth. 

 

 

 

"A lot of them are just skin and bones and hair. Their water bowls have not been cleaned for a very long time, and their kennels had feces everywhere.

And some, exposed to diseases.  "Probably the worst I saw was the rats running on top of puppies."

The veterinarian this morning said rats carry diseases and they would probably contract the disease because the rats had been on them for so long.

 

Now, all the kennels are full. The shelter took in golden retrievers, Papillion's, Yorkies, Pekinese, dachshund cocker spaniels.

 Volunteers have been busy washing, running tests, and feeding the dogs in hopes of saving as many possible.

"We will do the parasite treatment we are doing baths, flea treatments and I'm sure they are covered in parasites."

 

Two litters of puppies have tested positive for Parvo and had to be put down. Yesterday, an officer found two dead puppies at the location.

Some adults that will have to be euthanized because of their health conditions. And some are close to being blind because of the hair in their eyes.

 

Now, these dogs need your help through fostering or adoptions because the shelter is full. Charges against the owner of the dogs are pending.

Volunteers are needed right away.  But if you're interested in fostering or adopting one of these dogs, contact Best Friends Humane Society early next week.

They'll continue monitoring the health of the animals over the weekend.
(WALB - June 4, 2013) (Worthit2u - May 30, 2013)