[NEWS] Dogs Removed from Whitefiled Puppy Mill ~ Brylaur Puppies in Maine
 

THIS IS THE HELL HOLE that TJ and Roxy came from...

Those poor animals, I hope those ppl get charged!!!! :mad:

I am going to call the Humane Shelter
and let them know about them being sick dogs and to hopefully place them in the appropraite care :(

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The Lincoln County News
11/25/2008 2:06:00 PM

State animal welfare agents at the Castle residence in Whitefield on Nov. 20, removing breeding dogs.

Dogs Removed From Whitefield Puppy Mill ~ By Lucy L. Martin

Several vans from the state's Animal Welfare Program pulled up last week at 411 Townhouse Rd., Whitefield, to remove dozens of breeding dogs and a number of cats from the home of Bryant and Laura Castle.

The couple operated Brylaur Kennels and marketed dogs on the Internet where they had a website.

One of the district humane agents emphasized the removal Thursday was "a surrender, not a seizure."

Program director Norma J. Worley said the three agents and program veterinarian Chris Fraser took the majority of the animals to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter. Fraser conducted a cursory general health evaluation of the 60-odd animals, and as of Monday the veterinarian said cultures and testing for parasites were being done on the 53 that were removed from the home. "We're still getting diagnostics back."

The breeds were Pugs, Yorkshire Terriers, Toy Fox Terriers, and Chihuahuas, Fraser said.

Worley said Laura Castle "decided she needed assistance" placing the animals and that the Dept. of Agriculture's Animal Welfare Program had received "information that (Castle) was having difficulty with the numbers."

Various barnyard animals also occupy the property. Worley said, "We will be working with them on the other animals."

According to town records, the Castles were not licensed as operating a kennel for 2008, although the kennel with some 70 dogs has been registered in the past. Thirty-four dogs were licensed this year, said administrative assistant Robin White.

Fraser said the kennel, which had been licensed previously with the state, was "long overdue for an inspection." Attempts to do so since last February were thwarted when agents were turned away at the door and Castle canceled appointments, she said. The telephone number is unlisted.

Following a visit by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Dept., the state and the breeders reached an agreement, which resulted in last week's surrender.

All dogs were kept in the residence, where the agents found crowded conditions, two populations of neutered and non-neutered males, and several caged animals. "It seemed like they were trying to limit their breeding," Fraser said. "We found only one mom and puppies. We're going to make sure they follow through with spaying and neutering" the 11 remaining dogs, she added.

When asked if the premises could be described as a puppy mill, most often defined as a high volume, substandard kennel where unhealthy, overbred dogs are kept in poor condition, Fraser said, "There definitely are concerns, there are issues with the environment, and some of the dogs were very thin."

The Castles also relinquished five horses which, Fraser said, were living in "substandard housing and were very, very thin, some in life-threatening condition." The welfare program received a complaint from the sheriff's department concerning the horses, the vet said, adding, "We're going to persuade them to taper off more and get medical care" for the remaining horses.

On Saturday, an overcast day with biting wind, the Castles' driveway was partially blocked by a tumble-down piece of rusty stock fence.

A couple of trailers, storage structures, scattered firewood and chunks of logs, livestock pens and fabric-covered shelters for numerous horses, ponies, goats, ducks and other fowl dotted the dooryard. The family was outside doing chores.

Laura Castle said her breeding dogs were "not seized but surrendered. The kennel is closed."

She explained that she had come home from work one day and found 42 dogs that had been "returned from another kennel out of state. They'd been dropped on the doorstep. I couldn't handle them. It was too much," she said. Then, when "the state came in to do their kennel inspection, they said they'd take them off our hands. Norma Worley was awesome helping us out."

Castle said she gave up 11 of her own breeding stock and is keeping 11 dogs as pets. She said the family also surrendered "a couple of horses that had medical problems."

Commenting on the kennel closing, Bryant Castle said, "We did it 30 years." The family moved to Whitefield in 1993.

Daughter Sarah, 12, who had had numerous cats, recited all their names. The agents took six adults and 10 kittens and Sarah kept three cats for pets. "She loved her kitties," her father said.

The youngster shows her prize Nubian goats as well as poultry at agricultural fairs.

Though its web page has been pulled, references to it can be found at other sites and on blogs.

At YorkieTalk.com, for example, a headline and comment warn "beware of Brylaur [sic] Puppies - Maine." A dissatisfied customer alleges health problems with two Yorkshire puppies she bought from the kennel, including joint, bowel and liver problems. "I would not recommend a breeder like this," the customer writes.

The state's Worley said, "No charges are to be brought at this point. We may turn a corner, however," and find something that would warrant charges. "I can't say no. But they're being very cooperative at this point."

PHOTO:
State animal welfare agents at the Castle residence in Whitefield on Nov. 20, removing breeding dogs. (Lucy Martin photo)

FINALLY!!!!!

Congratulations!!! Any word on where the pups are going?

After they have been screened and tested they will be put up for adoption at the animal shelter.

I really, really want to alert them that some or all of the Yorkies could be sick (liver disease, liver shunts or MVD) :(

TLC here is the address and phone number to the shelter the dogs are at.
Boothbay Region Humane Society / Lincoln County Animal Shelter

45 Montgomery Road
boothbay harbor, Maine 04538
Phone: 207-882-9677
Fax: 207-882-9050

Yes, indeed....finally.

Good news!

how awesome!!!! im glad to hear this

Hip hip hooray, nicole.....one more out of commission

I think this was Laura's mother's puppy mill that was hut down in Jan '08

Summerville Maine Puppy Mill

My GOSH.....

More about the Summerville Puppy Mill

Animal Abuse Case

Photos

Thank you for posting this.. Now let's hope for the best for these deserving dogs.

:thumbdown:mad:

That looks like it should be declared a "Disaster Zone". Ya'll sure this aint a "unrepaired Hurricane Rita" mobile home?

Looks like a perfect hideout for crack addicts!

maybe you should look at the trailer again...it is in good condition...it is the condition of the yard that is in some need of repair....

I have seen photos of the inside of that double wide, plus the fact that they kept at least 50 dogs inside it, plus 2 adults and 1 child = not good :thumbdown

sorry..i had not seen pics of the inside..just the outside...can you post a link to pics of the inside???

The Brylaur Puppies website is now down, but trust me...it was bad :(

That was Laura Castles mother with the Sumerville puppy mill. You all should have seen the trailor they had before they put this newer one there. Hmmmm why did they do puppy exchanges at McDonald and not their home?

This is sad, it seemed the little girl showed all of the animals attention, since she knew everyone of them by name. So maybe it just got out of hand the lady did say another kennel dropped 42 dogs off on her doorstep and she couldn't handle them. Does it matter what you live in and how beautiful a yard is kept up when it comes to taking care of animals? As one member referred to the house as a crack addicts perfect hideout. I know some really poor people, and their house is in bad shape, however they love their animals, and children. The fact that she kept them in her home, should show everyone that she did care.........she could have thrown them outside. With the horses, feed has become really high and a lot of people here in KY has surrendered their horses due to high prices. I'm not taking up for these people, however I did see something there, LOVE even if you look past all of the other stuff.

To the OP, if you knew all of this, why did you buy her puppies? I am confused on this sense I am not sure of your babies history....was this after you bought your puppies that things went down hill?

I got them in May 2005 - I didn't know that they were a mill and/or BYB - Both TJ and Roxy have genetic health issues.

Brylaur's have been breeding and selling dogs for a very, very, very long time. I don't believe they were just over there head. :(

It doesn't matter what you live in or how beautiful your yard is unless it is a danger or health issue as it in this case.IF they did have 42 dogs dropped off on their door step they had a duty to report or turn in the people who did this.They have been breeding for many years and should have know when it gets out of control and you can't afford to feed what you have you don't keep breeding and make the situation worse.But greed got the best of them.They didn't ask for help they were caught.If they loved their animals they would have been upfront with they buyers of any and all health issues these dogs had,so they could have received proper treatment.I did see something too-everyday I drive buy their home and it wasn't love for their animals,it was starving horses and goats and other animals in an unsafe yard.People should not get away with this kind of abuse with any type of animal.There are alot of poor people who do love and take care of their pets,but it shouldn't be used an excuse for animal abuse.

I have to agree with you. I know that I wasn't the only one with health issues and/or a pup that died. Breeding to them was for money. Although I never saw in person there yard and home, I did see pictures of very, very unsafe and unhealthy conditions with very small dogs and lots and lots of barn animals all within feet of each other. It was quite upsetting to see the lack of responsibility in that respect. And I honestly can not fathom that amount of dogs and cats living inside there home with them.

I know when TJ and Roxy came here they were tiny 1.8 lbs and 2.1 lbs - but they were skin and bones - and I don't think they were being monitored what and if they were getting kibble. From day one they were poop eaters, Roxy had double row of teeth and from eating poop for her first 6 months of life, her teeth were so stained brown it was disgusting. During the first week of having TJ here was when his GI issues appeared. Mucus, blood poops and vomit, after blood work showed he had an overgrowth of bacteria in his intestines. And the list goes on and on....

My groomer also purchased 2 pups (same as Roxy's parents) and they arrived at JFK so disgusting, she said the smell would make you vomit. And the one girl came with Giardia (sp?).

Also, just from looking at there site when they posted pups from Roxy's Mom - it was clear that she was being breed every heat cycle (so sad)...

I don't buy the surrender bit at all...I believe they were caught or were going to be next, as from what I am reading about Fern Clark she is going to trial in December...so I think they Brylaur's felt it best to get rid of what they could now...Fern Clark is being charged with 5 Felony counts and faces up to 25 yrs in prison and a $25,000 fine if found guilty....

...don't get me started on the starving horses :mad: :mad: :mad:

omg thats horrible!

TLC What does the future hold for TJ and Roxy as far as their health?Im sure Laura and Bryant Castle showed no remorse when you informed them of TJ and Roxy's condtion.Do you know if your groomer informed the Castle's of the Giardia?It sickens me to know they got away with this for so long.

I am so glad I found this forum and to read that Laura and Bryant have been shut down. I bought Halle from them in 2004 and like Roxy she had LP in both knees at 3 months old. We were told (heartlessly) that if we wanted to bring her back they would "take care of her" and give us a new dog. She was a part of our family for 3 months and now you want to get rid of her??? Would they off the same demise for a child??? We had the surgery and $1750 later we thought that she was healthy and happy. 6 months later she had to be brought back in for the same issue.

She too was a "poop eater" and we've tried hard for 5 years to break her of the habit. Her breath and coat smell terrible no matter how many baths and groomings she has. Her teeth are brown stained and very very weak. No matter what we try we can't find anything to rememdy any of her problems.

We have thought forever that we were just "unlucky" and got the "bad dog of the bunch" but to hear all these complaints baffles me to no end. Once again, I am so glad this place has been shut down, but also sad to hear of everyone else problems.:thumbdown

I am so sorry to hear about Hallie :(

Who are Hallie's parents???? How old is she???

Her parent were Toto and Halle. She was listed as "Halle's Girl" on the website and the name just stuck. I remember when we called to buy her they told us that the directions to their house were too hard from where we were driving from (south portland) so we met them at the Gardiner McDonald's. When he took her out of the van she was covered with feces. And Bryant said she must have just had an "accident". I knew at that point there was no way I was letting her go back to that house. He just seemed so emotionless so I knew he was doing it just for the money. I also remember he was wearing polyester pants and and shirt in the middle of july.

Yeah - that's the same deal here...Although, Roxy and TJ were just bathed. I wonder if Halle Girl is related to Jazzy :confused: