State officials break up third Missouri puppy mill in two weeks
 

State officials break up third Missouri puppy mill in two weeks

KWMU: State officials break up third Missouri puppy mill in two weeks (2009-02-25)

Adam Allington, KWMU ST. LOUIS, MO (2009-02-25)

The state Department of Agriculture seized over 200 dogs from an unlicensed breeder in southwest Missouri on Wednesday.

It case marks the third incident involving Missouri puppy mills in two weeks.

The owner of the River Valley Kennel in Ozark County is alleged to have set fire to the facility after officials contacted him about not having a breeder's license.

Matt Rold of the Missouri Department of Agriculture says most of the dogs were English Springer Spaniels and German Shorthair Pointers.

"The dogs that are currently en route to the central Missouri Humane Society, some of them will go to English Springer Rescue of America as well as Mutts and stuff down toward the St. Louis area," says Rold.

The Humane Society of Missouri recently rescued more than 100 Yorkshire Terriers from a breeder in Greene County, and six days later seized 208 dogs, a domestic cat and a Bengal tiger from a facility in Seneca, Missouri.

It is so sad that there are so many puppymills but at least they are starting to crack down. I hope all of these babies get good homes.

I hope all this raids give other people more courage to report what the know or suspect. As horrid as all the pictures are, maybe those released photos are enough to prompt even those who think "it's none of my business" to change their mind and report their neighbors, family, etc

What kind of MONSTER would set a fire and try to burn his animals to death?? I hope this person gets what they deserve. This makes me so sick.

This is really sad to hear, but I am soo glad that they getting the animals away from these people!

Since this is all really new to me, are they doing more now? Or is it just because I am on this site and getting to know more about it?

I don't know that there are any more puppy mill busts than in the past 5 yrs - it seems to me that they kind of come in spurts - one bust, then another and so on and then it dies out.

I would like to believe that there will be continue to be more and more, as awareness rises. I think the light that Oprah put on puppy mills last year did help - so many people said they didn't realize. But unfortunately, it's a story that needs to be re-told & re-told because people aren't paying attn.

I wonder if the Humane Society has something on their site about the number of busts in each yr - that would be a great statistic to know

another brief
 

This is a short brief, but gives some different details about how the bust happened

Puppy Mill Busted in Ozark County | KSPR News | Local News

Puppy Mill Busted in Ozark County
By KSPR News
Story Created: Feb 25, 2009


The Missouri Department of Agriculture rescued about 200 dogs from an unlicensed breeding kennel near Tecumseh. The investigation into River Valley Puppies Kennels began last September. After the facility failed an inspection, officials asked the kennel to pay a licensing penalty fee, hand over 50 dogs, and have a clean inspection by the end of January. The kennel failed to follow through and now, the state is working with animal shelters to house the dogs.

Thanks! I just don't know how people can do it!

Way to go MO!
Looks like they are kicking some you know what! AND they ARE taking names!

Another one goes down! I hope they get the MAX penatly possible. Those poor babies.

Dogs Rescued From Breeder Brought To KC
 

Dogs Rescued From Breeder Brought To KC
Mo. Breeder Accused Of Setting Fire To Property

POSTED: 1:03 pm CST February 27, 2009

Dogs Rescued From Breeder Brought To KC - Kansas City News Story - KMBC Kansas City
photo of some dogs & a mug shot of the breeder

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Dozens of dogs rescued from a Missouri puppy mill were brought to Kansas City area animal shelters on Friday.

An unlicensed breeder in southwest Missouri agreed to surrender 200 purebred dogs after allegedly setting fire to his property, distraught over his wife's leaving, financial problems and the prospect of losing his animals.

"I just went a little nuts today," Michael Vanderwall told the Ozark County sheriff Tuesday evening, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Authorities said Vanderwall, whose breeding facility has been under state scrutiny at least since September, became angry when a Missouri Department of Agriculture inspector arrived at his property earlier Tuesday and, seeing that conditions had not improved, tried to persuade him to surrender the animals.

The roughly 200 English springer spaniels and German shorthaired pointers had been roaming in groups on pasture with access to a kennel, barn and house, said Matt Rold, who heads the state's inspection program. Vanderwall was living in an adjoining camper.

Rold said Vanderwall allegedly set his barn, kennel, house and camper on fire Tuesday after the inspector left. The affidavit says Vanderwall was armed and initially wouldn't permit emergency personnel onto his property.

He later relented, was arrested, and told authorities his wife had left him, turned off his utilities, and informed the state he had abused his dogs. He said his property was under foreclosure and wasn't insured, the affidavit said.

The dogs and puppies, some of them burned, were taken Wednesday from Vanderwall's River Valley Puppies Kennels, near Tecumseh.

Twelve dogs and 10 puppies will be treated at the Central Missouri Humane Society in Columbia, with the others to be turned over to rescue groups, Rold said.

Vanderwall was held Wednesday in the Ozark County jail on a charge of second-degree felony arson, and could face other charges, Prosecutor Tom Cline said. He already faces felony charges accusing him of passing bad checks. It wasn't clear if he had an attorney.

Vanderwall relinquished 50 of his dogs to the state Department of Agriculture in September, to make the situation on his property more manageable, Rold said, adding that conditions "did not meet the threshold of animal abuse."

Vanderwall also failed to pay a licensing penalty fee or pass inspection, and was never licensed by the state.

It was the third high-profile incident involving southwest Missouri puppy mills in two weeks.

On Feb. 13, the Humane Society of Missouri rescued more than 100 mostly Yorkshire terriers from an unlicensed facility near Pleasant Hope.

Six days later, the organization seized 208 dogs, a domestic cat and a Bengal tiger from a facility in Seneca.

No More Homeless Pets KC in Merriam (816-333-PETS (7387)) will help with adoptions when the animals are ready. In the meantime, the organization needs donations, including food, leashes, food and toys.

Thank you for the info. I read these articles and literally get sick to my stomach. I really hope that our state will follow through with these and make sure that they get the maximum penalty.

Hundreds of Dogs Rescued in Ozark County

Hundreds of Dogs Rescued in Ozark County
video of the dogs online

Reported by: Marybeth Brush
Friday, Feb 27, 2009 @09:21pm CST

(Ozark County, MO) -- So far in 2009, more than 1,100 dogs have been rescued from Missouri puppy mills. That's according to the Department of Agriculture.

A crate is now a temporary home for hundreds of dogs found on a property in rural Ozark county.

"Generally, when you deal with a puppy mill, they are housed in cages and these guys are all free roaming," says Whitney Jones of Best Friends Animal Rescue group.

On about 15 acres of land filled with trash and feces, the group, out of Utah, are building crates. And making sure these dogs get the help they need.

"I mean there were dogs everywhere. It was just like everywhere we looked, we were like oh they are all over. So the dogs are everywhere," says Jones.

So far, about 200 dogs were rescued. But there could be more.

"It's like every time we turn around it's like, oh, I haven't seen that dog before so even when we think we have a good number of them then more show up from who knows where," says Jones.

But there is some good news.

"It was really surprising, how many of them were as friendly as they were, it was easy to catch a lot of them," says Jones.

Regardless, the dogs are being sent to Kansas City to be checked by a veterinarian and then networked to rescue groups.

There have been no charges filed relating to the breeding kennel called River Valley Puppies Kennel. However, we're told the owner of that kennel is in the Ozark County jail. Michael Vanderwall is charged with second degree arson for a fire on his property that happened Tuesday night.

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.

Pet adoption

This weekend, people will be able to start the process of adopting dogs rescued last month after a fire at an unlicensed puppy mill near Tecumseh, Mo.

Midwest Pointers and Weinmaraners, a nonprofit rescue group, will take adoption applications for German shorthaired pointers (48 adults, 12 puppies) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday at the Raytown Animal Hospital Adoption Center, 10312 E. 63rd St., Raytown.

Adoption costs: $300 for puppies less than a year old, $250 for adults, and $150 for adults 5 years and older. For more information, call Brianna May at 1-785-727-9304 or go to Home.

Wow - I was surprised to see this. I thought Washington already had enough dogs up for adoption with the 600 dogs taken in from that expanded family puppy mill bust -- but ...

Dogs rescued from puppy mill fire arrive in Spokane

Dogs rescued from puppy mill fire arrive in Spokane - KHQ-TV- msnbc.com

SPOKANE, Wash. - 12 English Springer Spaniels made their way to Spokane Valley Saturday morning, in search of a good home.

The dogs were rescued from Missouri, where their previous owner allegedly set fire to their kennels after officials contacted him about not having a breeder's license. The puppy mill, reportedly contained 200 dogs, 95 of those were Springer Spaniels.

You tube video shows the dogs in deplorable conditions, malnourished, scared, and traumatized.

A local contingency of a Springer rescue group made their way to Missouri to rescue the dogs. They picked up 41 dogs total. Some were dropped off in Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado and Montana. 12 were brought to Spokane Valley at Ray's Auto Repair where they were cleaned and groomed by local dog lovers.

The remaining Springers were taken by an east coast contingency of the rescue group to find homes in the eastern part of the country. Rescue operations are funded by donations from the public.

Two of the Springers brought back to Spokane are pregnant.

Volunteers say they are in need of bedding and towels. If you want to made donations, please contact Heather Fall at 509-842-4380. Fall will arrange a way to pick up the items.

To make monetary donations, you can drop off at following places: Kootenai Animal Hospital in Post Falls, the VCA on North Division, Mountain Empire on Sprague or All Creatures Veterinary Clinic.

Those interested in adopting or becoming a foster owner should go to the website English Springer Rescue America

Best Friends was asked to come onto the site and help catch the dogs and help with their distribution to different rescue groups. You can see the actual video of this rescue..It is not as bad as most of them and it is very heartwarming.

Latest News | River Valley wrap-up | Best Friends News & Top Stories

Cindy, thank you for sharing this! Is this the rescue you are with? How sad to hear that beautiful pup was covered with ticks. I'm sure that was true for many of those just running loose.

Glad to have people be able to see this rescue and the actual place, even though this one was not as bad as some.

I wish I lived with Best Friends but no they are in Utah. I am a member and I do most of my donations with them but maybe when I retire. I think they are the premier animal advocacy group in the US. I know you would enjoy going to Dogtown to see what they have done. Two books have been written about them and I believe they have a wonderful way of helping with change.

Best Friends Animal Society Home Page

Springers Rescued from Puppy Mill to Find New Homes in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa
 

Springers Rescued from Puppy Mill to Find New Homes in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa

WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports-Springers Rescued from Puppy Mill to Find New Homes in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa

Posted: March 9, 2009 08:35 AM

Eau Claire (Press Release) - Nine English Springer Spaniels rescued from an intentional fire set by a puppy mill breeder will find new homes in the Upper Midwest, thanks to the efforts of English Springer Rescue America, a national breed rescue organization.

The group is transporting six Springers to Wisconsin, two to Minnesota and one to Iowa this weekend. They will go initially to foster homes, then be put up for adoption at our rescue website English Springer Rescue America.

The dogs were rescued after an unlicensed breeder intentionally set fire to his puppy mill facility in Ozark County, MO on Feb 24th, 2009, leaving the dogs without care or shelter. The facility housed more than 200 dogs, which were left to roam the property. The dogs were relinquished to state animal welfare officials.

ESRA has accepted about 70 English Springer Spaniels and an undetermined number of unborn puppies.

State officials reported that the dogs were in "fairly good" condition and the MO Dept of Agriculture, with assistance of local animal welfare groups, gathered them and began transporting them to regional veterinary medical facilities.

ESRA was alerted to a potential seizure several months ago, but was not sure when it would occur. Thanks to the forewarning, a transport team was set up and many additional foster homes approved.

Volunteers are traveling to MO to transport these dogs across the United States to their respective foster homes from Washington to Ohio and from Minnesota to Florida - made possible thanks to dozens of dedicated ESRA members and volunteers.

ESRA is grateful to the many generous people who have already contributed time, energy and money to the rescue of these neglected animals, but its limited resources are being severely strained by this influx of dogs, many of whom may be in need of expensive care. ESRA estimates that expenses for this endeavor will be thousands of dollars.

To adopt a Springer or make a donation specifically for the MO dogs' care, see the ESRA website at English Springer Rescue America.