[News] Massive Dog Breeding Farm Rescue in Va. - YorkieTalk.com Forums

flgurl69 · 11-09-2007, 02:59 AM

Massive Dog Breeding Farm Rescue in Va.
2007-11-08 22:31:47
By HANK KURZ Jr. Associated Press Writer

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A dog breeding operation that was home to more than 600 breeding females is now the site of a huge rescue operation, with the owner agreeing to relinquish nearly 1,000 dogs for treatment and possible adoption.

Hundreds of puppies, mostly small, purebred varieties such as pugs, corgis and King Charles spaniels were taken to an emergency operations center staffed by volunteer veterinarians, Carroll County Administrator Gary Larrowe said Thursday.

He estimated that as many as 120 people are involved at any given time, and said the pet store chain PetSmart sent a tractor-trailer load of supplies.

"I'm not sure what we would have done with 1,000 dogs otherwise," he said.

The dog breeding operation was uncovered by the Humane Society of the United States during a five-month investigation into so-called "puppy mills" in Virginia. Local animal rights groups made sure the county was aware of the report, and the county then asked for state help.

Many of the dogs were discovered in cages made of wire fencing and wood framing, said the Humane Society's John Snyder. The animals largely appeared to be in good shape, Larrowe said, although many were denied the socialization that produces good pets.

Junior Horton, the owner of the breeding operation, has been breeding dogs for more than 20 years, he told authorities, and had a license to have as many as 500 dogs.

Earlier this week, Horton called the effort to remove dogs from his farm "dognapping." He said, "They just come in on me out of the blue."

"I've got the best kennel in southwest Virginia," he said.

In negotiations with county officials, Horton will keep 200 dogs and will secure the proper licensing and comply with federal laws for dog breeders, Larrowe said.

He could eventually face charges that include animal cruelty, but he has cooperated as authorities work to remove the dogs from his farm, treat them and send them on to shelters.

Animal shelters up and down the East Coast are preparing for arrivals.

The dogs, once cleared for release, will be sent to shelters from as far away as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to upstate New York, Snyder said.

———

On the Net:

Carroll County Puppy Mill: gov.carrollcountyva.org/animalcontrol/

Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support: www.vapaws.org

Humane Society of the United States: www.hsus.org

abbie's mom · 11-09-2007, 03:06 AM

Oh my....<crying> I couldn't read it all.

But, I am SO HAPPY that someone found this situation!!

lisatodd · 11-09-2007, 04:01 AM

but did you see the part where the owner will keep 200 dogs? they are still going to let him run his business.
what a crock of bull &#!*.
no fines no nothing

xnatalie · 11-09-2007, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisatodd

but did you see the part where the owner will keep 200 dogs? they are still going to let him run his business.
what a crock of bull &#!*.
no fines no nothing

he might face charges of animal cruelty though. hopefully he does, it's not fair that he can get away with this, AND keep 200 dogs. 200 is soo many i don't get how they could let someone do that

abbie's mom · 11-09-2007, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xnatalie

he might face charges of animal cruelty though. hopefully he does, it's not fair that he can get away with this, AND keep 200 dogs. 200 is soo many i don't get how they could let someone do that

I don't either! gggrrrrrrrrr!!

VCUsyl83 · 11-09-2007, 09:20 AM

Hey y'all! This has been all over the news here in Richmond (where I go to school) and it's sooo sad! A lot of these pups were being shipped to pet stores around Richmond and from what I've heard a lot of pups bought from these local pet stores were really sick (heart murmurs, worms, etc). I'm just so glad that I never purchased from any pet stores around here which I once considered before I knew the 411 about them! So I hope those who do purchase from pet stores are a lot more cautious to where their pups come from!

ARCHIE · 11-09-2007, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisatodd

but did you see the part where the owner will keep 200 dogs? they are still going to let him run his business.
what a crock of bull &#!*.
no fines no nothing

This is what I will never understand as long as I live!

They just gave him the amunition to start again!

Your right it's just a crock of bull ###

a_jgonzalez · 11-09-2007, 09:53 AM

This is so sad, imagine he says he has the best kennel, what must the other puppy mills be like????
Very sad, I feel for those 200 dogs that have to stay there.

flgurl69 · 11-09-2007, 05:37 PM

I'm originally from VA and sadly this happened about an hour from where I'm from. I just can't believe the number of poor helpless dogs he kept and that they let him keep 200! WTF??!!!!!

I think they should have shut this guy down. He's got some nerve calling this dognapping!

PrestigeousYT · 11-09-2007, 05:55 PM

I can't believe he gets to keep ANY
thats unreal so sad for the dogs.
The unlucky 200 that didn't get to safety.
How can that be

Deana
Prestigeous

xxmxaxrxyxx · 11-12-2007, 10:17 AM

this just breaks my heart...how heartless can someone be...argh!!!!

MikaTallulah · 11-13-2007, 07:30 AM

I want to adopt them all. I can not even bare to leave my dogs in the house for more than a few hours let alone have them spend their lives in small wire cages.

Anyone know were you can find out which shelters in your area if any are taking some of the dogs?

VCUsyl83 · 11-13-2007, 12:03 PM

MikaTallulah-

this website has a couple of the shelters that took the dogs in!

http://petloverstips.com/ForTheLoveo...than-1000-dogs

EmrldShdwQueen · 11-13-2007, 09:01 PM

sick sick sick...i can't believe these people...

EmrldShdwQueen · 11-13-2007, 09:02 PM

OHMYGOD...I KNOW who this is!!!!! They had an ad in the paper where I live every week....................

11-09-2007, 02:59 AM	#1
flgurl69 <3 My Little Bella Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 1,621	[News] Massive Dog Breeding Farm Rescue in Va. Massive Dog Breeding Farm Rescue in Va. 2007-11-08 22:31:47 By HANK KURZ Jr. Associated Press Writer RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A dog breeding operation that was home to more than 600 breeding females is now the site of a huge rescue operation, with the owner agreeing to relinquish nearly 1,000 dogs for treatment and possible adoption. Hundreds of puppies, mostly small, purebred varieties such as pugs, corgis and King Charles spaniels were taken to an emergency operations center staffed by volunteer veterinarians, Carroll County Administrator Gary Larrowe said Thursday. He estimated that as many as 120 people are involved at any given time, and said the pet store chain PetSmart sent a tractor-trailer load of supplies. "I'm not sure what we would have done with 1,000 dogs otherwise," he said. The dog breeding operation was uncovered by the Humane Society of the United States during a five-month investigation into so-called "puppy mills" in Virginia. Local animal rights groups made sure the county was aware of the report, and the county then asked for state help. Many of the dogs were discovered in cages made of wire fencing and wood framing, said the Humane Society's John Snyder. The animals largely appeared to be in good shape, Larrowe said, although many were denied the socialization that produces good pets. Junior Horton, the owner of the breeding operation, has been breeding dogs for more than 20 years, he told authorities, and had a license to have as many as 500 dogs. Earlier this week, Horton called the effort to remove dogs from his farm "dognapping." He said, "They just come in on me out of the blue." "I've got the best kennel in southwest Virginia," he said. In negotiations with county officials, Horton will keep 200 dogs and will secure the proper licensing and comply with federal laws for dog breeders, Larrowe said. He could eventually face charges that include animal cruelty, but he has cooperated as authorities work to remove the dogs from his farm, treat them and send them on to shelters. Animal shelters up and down the East Coast are preparing for arrivals. The dogs, once cleared for release, will be sent to shelters from as far away as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to upstate New York, Snyder said. ——— On the Net: Carroll County Puppy Mill: gov.carrollcountyva.org/animalcontrol/ Virginia Partnership for Animal Welfare and Support: www.vapaws.org Humane Society of the United States: www.hsus.org __________________ Official Member of The cRaZy Club "If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it." -- Erma Louise Bombeck

11-09-2007, 03:06 AM	#2
abbie's mom Therapy Dog Extraordinaire Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: VA Posts: 3,075 Blog Entries: 1	Oh my....<crying> I couldn't read it all. But, I am SO HAPPY that someone found this situation!! __________________ *ada* (Spy Girl) Abigail-Ceana Coffee - 2008 YT Valentine's Ball Visit abbie on dogster! Species-Appropriate Diet Prey Model Learning

11-09-2007, 04:01 AM	#3
lisatodd Little Boogers Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: virginia beach, va Posts: 4,458	but did you see the part where the owner will keep 200 dogs? they are still going to let him run his business. what a crock of bull &#!*. no fines no nothing __________________ lisa lisa and the cult jam yorkies

11-09-2007, 09:20 AM	#6
VCUsyl83 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 39	Hey y'all! This has been all over the news here in Richmond (where I go to school) and it's sooo sad! A lot of these pups were being shipped to pet stores around Richmond and from what I've heard a lot of pups bought from these local pet stores were really sick (heart murmurs, worms, etc). I'm just so glad that I never purchased from any pet stores around here which I once considered before I knew the 411 about them! So I hope those who do purchase from pet stores are a lot more cautious to where their pups come from! __________________ "Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them."

11-09-2007, 09:53 AM	#8
a_jgonzalez YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: California Posts: 458	This is so sad, imagine he says he has the best kennel, what must the other puppy mills be like???? Very sad, I feel for those 200 dogs that have to stay there. __________________ Annette & Toby & now Max too!

11-09-2007, 05:37 PM	#9
flgurl69 <3 My Little Bella Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 1,621	I'm originally from VA and sadly this happened about an hour from where I'm from. I just can't believe the number of poor helpless dogs he kept and that they let him keep 200! WTF??!!!!! I think they should have shut this guy down. He's got some nerve calling this dognapping! __________________ Official Member of The cRaZy Club "If you can't make it better, you can laugh at it." -- Erma Louise Bombeck

11-09-2007, 05:55 PM	#10
PrestigeousYT YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: WV Posts: 1,105	I can't believe he gets to keep ANY thats unreal so sad for the dogs. The unlucky 200 that didn't get to safety. How can that be Deana Prestigeous

11-12-2007, 10:17 AM	#11
xxmxaxrxyxx BANNED FROM SHOPPING!! Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 6,826 Blog Entries: 1	this just breaks my heart...how heartless can someone be...argh!!!! __________________ Kaine Kandie Tootsie Yoshiko MeiLing Kioko Tootsie Smokey \|\| Yoshi Mochi \|\| MeiLing Kacy \|\| Kioko is still searching for his Cinderella.

11-13-2007, 07:30 AM	#12
MikaTallulah YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 270	I want to adopt them all. I can not even bare to leave my dogs in the house for more than a few hours let alone have them spend their lives in small wire cages. Anyone know were you can find out which shelters in your area if any are taking some of the dogs? __________________ I do want I like and like what I do.

11-13-2007, 12:03 PM	#13
VCUsyl83 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 39	MikaTallulah- this website has a couple of the shelters that took the dogs in! http://petloverstips.com/ForTheLoveo...than-1000-dogs __________________ "Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them."

11-13-2007, 09:01 PM	#14
EmrldShdwQueen Slave to my Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Clemmons, NC Posts: 3,713	sick sick sick...i can't believe these people... __________________ Nicki and all her babies www.madalooyorkies.com Ask me about the YT discount! http://www.madelinecouture.com/

11-13-2007, 09:02 PM	#15
EmrldShdwQueen Slave to my Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Clemmons, NC Posts: 3,713	OHMYGOD...I KNOW who this is!!!!! They had an ad in the paper where I live every week.................... __________________ Nicki and all her babies www.madalooyorkies.com Ask me about the YT discount! http://www.madelinecouture.com/