Mohave Daily News: Local
Puppy mill uncovered during fraud investigation
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 12:41 AM CDT
GOLDEN VALLEY - Mohave County Sheriff's Office began a fraudulent schemes investigation when a local Kingman veterinarian, Darla Wright, of Wright Veterinary Services, and a Veterinarian Clinic out of Las Vegas were victims of forgery.
Health certificates certifying health examinations conducted on dogs sold by K & S Puppy Ranch in Golden Valley were forged using the victims' business letter heads and falsifying the veterinarian signatures.
The investigation began after a dog was sold to a customer in California from the K & S Puppy Ranch and the dog became sick. The new owner went to a local veterinarian in California with the certified health documents provided by K & S Puppy Ranch. At that time, Wright was contacted and discovered forged documents of her business and her signature were being used.
Karen Grogan and Shirley Williams are owners of K & S Puppy Ranch.
At about 10:15 a.m., search warrants were executed at the business at 4107 Highway 68, at Grogan's residence in the 3500 block of Maverick Road and at Williams' residence in the 4900 block of Hoover Road, said MCSO Spokeswoman Trish Carter.
The search warrant at Williams' residence revealed 32 dogs and five puppies. The search warrant at Grogan's residence revealed 17 dogs.
Williams and Grogan were given 24 hours to seek veterinarian services for some dogs that needed medical attention. Mohave County Animal Control personnel will follow-up to ensure medical attention is sought.
Both Williams, 74, and Grogan, 57, were charged with animal cruelty, no dog license for each dog and operating a kennel without a license, all misdemeanors, Carter said.
K & S Puppy Ranch business does have a valid operation permit, but Williams and Grogan don't have permits to operate commercial kennels at their homes.
Mohave County Planning and Zoning and Mohave County Environmental Health will continue with their investigation with violations observed during the execution of the search warrant.
Carter said the fraudulent schemes investigation is continuing with possible charges.