View Single Post
Old 04-10-2009, 08:52 AM   #8
fannie
Donating YT 1000 Club Member
 
fannie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Missouri
Posts: 1,693
Default

Over 100 dogs rescued from puppy mill :: GallatinNorthMissourian.com :: Serving Daviess County Since 1864

Over a hundred dogs have been rescued from an alleged puppy mill in Winston and three people have been charged with several misdemeanors in connection with the operation of the facility.

It all started March 30, when Daviess County Deputy Larry Adams was forced to shoot and kill a chimpanzee in self defense after being attacked by the aggressive adult primate at a rural home on Reel Avenue north of Winston.

The sheriff’s department was called to the residence after the chimpanzee was reported to be running loose on Route Y, a blacktop highway.

Upon their arrival, deputies and the owners tried to capture the large, nine-year-old chimp. After several failed attempts to corral the animal, it opened the door of Deputy Larry Adams’ patrol car, grabbed the deputy’s leg and attempted to strike him. The deputy struck the chimp in the chest pushing him away. The chimp attempted to attack the deputy again. This time the deputy had to use deadly force in self defense.

The deputy suffered minor injuries. The owners of the chimpanzee suffered cuts and scratches from the attack and were treated at the scene.

While at the residence, the officers noted what they estimated at the time to be about 200 dogs living in "deplorable" conditions on the property in what appeared to be a substandard puppy mill.

The Sheriff’s office reported the situation to the Missouri Department of Agriculture who requested the assistance of the Humane Society of Missouri to rescue the dogs and three primates.

On March 31, a warrant was served by the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department for the removal of the animals. But when members of the sheriff’s department, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force arrived at the location, all but 15 dogs and two cats had been removed from the property.

The Daviess County Sheriff’s Department arrested Brent D. Hudson, 49, Cherace E. Hudson, 41, and Mary C. Overton, 52, all of Winston, in connection with the unlicensed puppy mill.

Each faces one charge of operating an animal care facility as a breeder or dealer without a license; two counts of animal abuse; nine counts of violating provisions regarding disposal of dead animals; one count of animal neglect or abandonment; and four counts of keeping a dangerous wild animal without registration filed with local law enforcement. The charges were filed April 1. Bond was set at $5,000 for each.

According to a probable cause statement filed by the Daviess County Sheriff, Mr. Hudson was the owner of Timmy, a large, nine-year-old chimpanzee, which he failed to keep under adequate control, resulting in the attack on Deputy Adams. Mr. Hudson also failed to have four primates living at the address registered with local law enforcement.

According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the primates have since been located and officials are investigating their condition.

On April 3, 92 of the dogs which had apparently been spirited away from the authorities by friends and relatives of the owners of the suspected puppy mill, were handed back over. Reports say 68 of the dogs were held at one location, and 24 at another. The people who returned the animals are not expected to be charged, in light of their cooperation.

Those 92 dogs were taken to the Missouri Humane Society in St. Louis. The 15 dogs originally seized from the alleged puppy mill are also being cared for by the St. Louis shelter after a disposition hearing in Daviess County on Monday, April 6, granted the society control of the animals.

The disposition hearing for the second group of dogs is set for April 16 in Jackson County.

"They are doing fine and are back on the road to recovery," according to Jeane Jae, director of communications for the St. Louis based Humane Society. "We’re helping the puppies that were still nursing and making sure the mothers are well taken care of. All have had preliminary veterinary examinations and continue to be monitored by the shelter staff and veterinarians."

Authorities at first believed many more dogs were unaccounted for.

"The total number was somewhat fluid," said Mrs. Jae. "We’re still following through on reports on possible, additional animals; but, honestly, we don’t know how many more and this may be it."

Deputy Larry Adams at the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department said his office would not release details about the number of dogs or primates still to be recovered until information is confirmed.

"We’re still receiving information and tips and checking into leads and it is an ongoing investigation," Deputy Adams said.

Mrs. Jae said it would be several weeks before the dogs will be ready for adoption from the Humane Society. She said there were some serious medical issues with the first group of dogs received and that several were in very serious condition.

The dogs include a variety of breeds: Yorkshire Terrier, Pekinese, Chihuahua, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, and Miniature Poodle.

The Humane Society of Missouri is offering a $3,000 reward for information leading to the location and recovery of the dogs that were removed from the property. Persons with information on the whereabouts of the missing dogs should contact the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Abuse Hotline, 314-647-4400.

At an associate court arraignment held Monday, April 6, all three defendants plead innocent to the charges in connection with the unlicensed puppy mill and were ordered to return to court on April 20.
__________________
Steph, Mama to 6 skin babies and beautiful yorkies!
fannie is offline   Reply With Quote
Welcome Guest!
Not Registered?

Join today and remove this ad!