Phin Power for Furbabies and the people helping them
Posted: June 25, 2008 9:04 pm
This just makes me sick. I'm so glad there are people who love animals stepping in to help.
Humane Society begins "largest puppy mill rescue" in Tennessee
By MITCHELL KLINE & NANCY STEPHENS • Staff Writers • June 25, 2008
LYLES — Authorities have begun seizing nearly 700 dogs in what the Humane Society of the United States is calling the “largest puppy mill rescue ever conducted in Tennessee.”
The dogs are being taken from Pine Bluff Kennels on Ed Lyell Road in Hickman County, which sells a variety of dog breeds on the Internet. Investigators believe many of the dogs were not being properly cared for.
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“We are looking at about 700 animals right now, maybe more will be added to that count,” said Stephanie Shain, director of the Stop Puppy Mills campaign for the Humane Society. “The conditions are extremely poor. They are typical of a breeding operation like this… what we call a puppy mill.”
Shain said investigators saw “considerable build up of feces in the cages.” A good portion of the dogs did not have water. Shain said some dogs were “clearly suffering from illness or injury,” such as skin conditions, eye injuries and broken bones.
The rescue was set in motion by the Humane Society, which received tips from concerned residents. Kim Helper, district attorney for Hickman, Lewis, Perry and Williamson counties, had investigators build a case against the puppy mill operator, who has not been identified.
Shain said other animals were kept at the 92-acre property, including ponies, goats and birds. Approximately 60 volunteers are helping to transport and care for the animals.
“Our primary concern right now and what we’re focusing on, is assuring that those animals are taken care of properly… that they’re evaluated to assure that they receive any necessary treatment,” Helper said. “And once we have taken care of those animals, at that point our office will look at whether or not we need to file any criminal charges.”
The owner of Pine Bluff Kennels could face numerous animal cruelty charges, including aggravated animal cruelty, a class E felony that carries a possible two-year prison sentence, according to Helper.
The dogs are being transported to an undisclosed emergency shelter. Human Society officials said it would take hours to transport and catalog all the animals.
Shain said puppy mill dogs typically are sold for as little as $150 and as much as $1,000.
Humane Society begins "largest puppy mill rescue" in Tennessee
By MITCHELL KLINE & NANCY STEPHENS • Staff Writers • June 25, 2008
LYLES — Authorities have begun seizing nearly 700 dogs in what the Humane Society of the United States is calling the “largest puppy mill rescue ever conducted in Tennessee.”
The dogs are being taken from Pine Bluff Kennels on Ed Lyell Road in Hickman County, which sells a variety of dog breeds on the Internet. Investigators believe many of the dogs were not being properly cared for.
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“We are looking at about 700 animals right now, maybe more will be added to that count,” said Stephanie Shain, director of the Stop Puppy Mills campaign for the Humane Society. “The conditions are extremely poor. They are typical of a breeding operation like this… what we call a puppy mill.”
Shain said investigators saw “considerable build up of feces in the cages.” A good portion of the dogs did not have water. Shain said some dogs were “clearly suffering from illness or injury,” such as skin conditions, eye injuries and broken bones.
The rescue was set in motion by the Humane Society, which received tips from concerned residents. Kim Helper, district attorney for Hickman, Lewis, Perry and Williamson counties, had investigators build a case against the puppy mill operator, who has not been identified.
Shain said other animals were kept at the 92-acre property, including ponies, goats and birds. Approximately 60 volunteers are helping to transport and care for the animals.
“Our primary concern right now and what we’re focusing on, is assuring that those animals are taken care of properly… that they’re evaluated to assure that they receive any necessary treatment,” Helper said. “And once we have taken care of those animals, at that point our office will look at whether or not we need to file any criminal charges.”
The owner of Pine Bluff Kennels could face numerous animal cruelty charges, including aggravated animal cruelty, a class E felony that carries a possible two-year prison sentence, according to Helper.
The dogs are being transported to an undisclosed emergency shelter. Human Society officials said it would take hours to transport and catalog all the animals.
Shain said puppy mill dogs typically are sold for as little as $150 and as much as $1,000.
