Potential new owners vie for rescued dogs from alleged puppy mill
Potential new owners vie for rescued dogs from alleged puppy mill
Humane Society shelter in Rockville hopes to have all 12 placed in homes by next week
by Melissa J. Brachfeld | Staff Writer
Dogs and puppies rescued earlier this month from an alleged puppy mill are on their way to finding new homes.
The animals jumped up and down and barked excitedly as about a dozen potential new owners looked them over Thursday afternoon at a Montgomery County Humane Society shelter in Rockville.
Stevie Hightman stroked Gwen, a 3-year-old cocker spaniel-poodle mix, under her furry brown chin as she considered whether the dog would make a good addition to her family.
"She's a doll," the Boyds resident said. "She's obviously been through a lot, but she's so adorable."
Gwen is one of 12 dogs and puppies available for adoption through the Humane Society.
The dogs were among the 283 rescued Feb. 6 from Thornton's Kennels, an alleged puppy mill in Mount Olive, N.C., following a year-long investigation by Wayne County Animal Control Services and the Humane Society of the United States, said B.J. Altschul, a spokeswoman for the Montgomery County Humane Society.
Of the 15 dogs the county Humane Society took in, three were transferred to a veterinarian clinic in Pennsylvania, which has made adoption arrangements, she said.
The owner of Thornton's Kennels surrendered custody of all of the dogs to Wayne County, N.C., which then transferred ownership of the animals to the Humane Society of the United States, Altschul said.
The kennels' Web site has been down for more than a week and a telephone number listed as belonging to the owner of the kennels, Virginia Thornton, is disconnected.
Wayne County Animal Control Services Director Justin Scally said earlier this week that all of the agency's evidence against Thornton's Kennels had been turned over to Wayne County District Attorney Branny Vickory to make the decision on whether to press charges.
Vickory did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.
Robert Henne, manager of the shelter, said his staff received a "couple dozen" phone calls about adopting the dogs.
"The dogs are doing pretty well and getting used to human touch," he said, adding they "are getting a lot of one-on-one attention."
Aside from some dental problems, Henne said, the dogs should be just fine.
Henne said he hopes to have all of the dogs in their new homes by the end of next week.
Derwood resident Gay Scheifele said it was love at first sight when she saw Nana, a white poodle.
But Alyson Byron, a shelter employee, said she has some stiff competition.
"Nana is very popular," she said. "A lot of people have wanted to see her."
Scheifele said she already felt bonded to the dog and would take her chances.
"She is just so sweet," she said as she stroked Nana's white fur. "Look at her. I think this is my dog."