200 Rescued From Puppy Mill, Fire Turned Over To State
200 Rescued From Puppy Mill, Fire Turned Over To State
Posted: 10:47 AM Feb 28, 2009
Two hundred dogs, rescued from a southwest Missouri puppy mill, have been turned over to the state.
Their owner is an unlicensed breeder who allegedly set fire to his property, injuring some of the animals.
Michael Vanderwall was arrested after setting fire to his buildings, including his kennels. He told sheriff's deputies his wife left him, his property was in foreclosure, and state inspectors wanted him to give up his animals.
The dogs will be cleanup up, examined and spayed and neutered.
The dogs' owner is being held on second-degree felony arson charges and could face other charges.