Humane Society rescues 93 Yorkies
02/13/2009 - Humane Society rescues 93 Yorkies - STLtoday.com Photos available at the website above
By Leah Thorsen
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/13/2009
Ninety-three Yorkshire terriers and two cockatiels were rescued Friday from an unlicensed breeding center near Springfield, the Humane Society of Missouri said.
The animals arrived in three vans at the society's office at 1201 Macklind Avenue in St. Louis on Friday evening after being removed from the center near Pleasant Hope, Mo. That center had been in business for four years, said Jeane Jae, a Humane Society spokeswoman.
Tim Rickey, director of the society's Animal Cruelty Task Force, described the conditions the dogs were living in as the "most horrible conditions I've ever seen."
None of the animals had food or water and some lived in filth that was 4 inches thick. The dogs' fur was dirty, overgrown and matted, some so badly the animals couldn't even move, he said. Some of the dogs were limping, which could be the result of living in cages with mesh bottoms that don't properly support their small paws.
"That is years of neglect," he said.
The dogs varied in age and some will be ready for adoption in 30 days, Rickey said, although some will need further treatment. Veterinarians and other staff were at the Macklind office on Friday examining and treating the dogs.
Rickey urged people considering buying a dog to insist upon seeing where dogs are kept before purchasing one and to report animal abuse.
He was optimistic that most of the dogs can be successfully treated and adopted.
"Our goal is to give them a second chance," Rickey said. "That's what it's all about."