46 Yorkies found in basement of abandoned PA home, living in cages in squalor

[yorkiesmiles]

UPDATE: Police raid suspected Upper Makefield puppy mill | Courier Times Now

Police raid suspected Upper Makefield puppy mill
Posted: Saturday, March 28th, 2009 at 6:41 pm by Courier Times health reporter Jo Ciavaglia

Upper Makefield police and Bucks County SPCA workers removed 46 Yorkshire terriers, including weeks-old puppies, early Saturday morning from what appears to be an illegal puppy mill operating inside an apparently abandoned home.

The dogs were living in unsanitary condition and overcrowded cages in the basement of a ranch home in the 1400 block of Wrightstown Road, near Maher Lane, authorities said.

No criminal charges had been filed in the case as of Saturday night, but the investigation continues, officials said.

“Certainly there will be charges,” said Anne Irwin, director of the Bucks County SPCA, which took custody of the dogs. “I think this is a breeding operation.”

Police discovered the dogs after receiving a complaint about loud, barking around 12:30 Saturday morning. The caller told police there were a large number of dogs in the basement of a possibly abandoned home, and that some dogs may be dead, according to the probably cause affidavit.

Patrolman Harry Vitello checked the property shortly before 1:30 a.m. and saw a light in the basement. He looked in the windows and saw cages with barking dogs. He also smelled a strong ammonia odor.

The officer found an open back door. He entered and found the upstairs empty - no furniture, “broom clean,” with no signs of occupancy - but the ammonia smell grew stronger as he neared the basement, according to Irwin and the affidavit.

In the basement, Vitello found a room with 22 animal cages filled with dogs, all alive, but living in squalid conditions. The smallest cage was not much larger than a newspaper page and it and housed two adult females and their litters, Irwin said.

Many of the adult dogs had microchips implanted - which are used to identify pets - and it appears the chips were brought in batches, Irwin said.

To read the full story, check out Sunday’s Bucks County Courier Times or visit Courier Times Online: Serving Lower and Central Bucks County, Pennsylvania

[yorkiesmiles]

a picture of one of the skinniest, saddest yorkies I have ever seen Police Raid Puppy Mill | Courier Times Now

[zorrolinchen]

How sad. I cannot understand why people are so mean to animals. They must have no heart. And mine breaks if I look at the picture.
Wish I would live in USA, then would I take this little one for a better life with lots of love.

The only thing I can do is to hope that all poor dogs find a new home where they are loved and well feed and kept save asap.

I will pray for this little poor souls.

[Lisa and Pic]

That is so sad. But, glad the neighbor called and hope all the furbabies can find good homes.

[Ieshialicious]

I hate reading stories like this, poor babies.

[Jemma]

oh that poor Mommy. She is so skinny. The pups were so hungry she must have been feeding them 24/7. She had no way to get away from them. I hope they publish who thes a&* holes are. Excuse my french, I kinda blocked the word but not where you can't understand what they are.

[zorrolinchen]

Originally Posted by Jemma

oh that poor Mommy. She is so skinny. The pups were so hungry she must have been feeding them 24/7. She had no way to get away from them. I hope they publish who thes a&* holes are. Excuse my french, I kinda blocked the word but not where you can't understand what they are.

You are absolutely right!

[lil fu fu girl]

Originally Posted by Jemma

oh that poor Mommy. She is so skinny. The pups were so hungry she must have been feeding them 24/7. She had no way to get away from them. I hope they publish who thes a&* holes are. Excuse my french, I kinda blocked the word but not where you can't understand what they are.

They definitely need to be placed in the same conditions as those animals.
If our laws were of that nature, I guarantee you that puppy mill production would slow down.

[Gizmo Baby]

Totally breaks my heart, what's wrong with ........I was going to say people, but can't find a word for such heartless spieces.... a hole is too mild of a word

[yorkiesmiles]

HERE IS THE REST OF THE STORY
PhillyBurbs.com: *Police raid suspected puppy mill


Many of the adult dogs had microchips implanted - which are used to identify pets - and it appears the chips were bought in batches, Irwin said.

Nine of the adult females wore plastic collars similar to the ones found in veterinary centers with the names: "Clementine," "Melani," "K.C.," "Kelly," "Felice," "Leanne," "Nelly," "Bridget" and "Elly," according to the probable cause affidavit.

A total of nine puppies, 31 adult females and six adult males were removed. They are at the SPCA's Lahaska shelter where they will be available for adoption.

Police found evidence that someone was providing food and water to the dogs, though there was no running water in the home. Water bottles were attached to cages, Irwin said.

The dogs appear healthy, though a veterinarian has yet to examine them, Irwin said. They acted bright and alert at the shelter on Saturday. Many of the adult female dogs had their normally long coats shaved; a few had lesions where they scratched themselves, most likely from being in confined conditions, Irwin said.

Yorkshire terriers, affectionately known as "Yorkies," are among the most popular breeds according the American Kennel Club's registration statistics. The dogs also frequently carry a hefty price tag - $500 or more each, according to a search of pet Web sites.

Pennsylvania law requires a state license for people who keep or transfer 26 or more dogs annually, Irwin said.

She added the law was recently changed to require breeders who sell 60 or more dogs annually to be categorized as a commercial kennel, which has "much higher" quality standards.

Police are continuing their investigation.

[TLC]

Adopt a Yorkshire Terrier Yorkie: YORKIES IN THE NEW: Petfinder

I’m sure you have seen the really cute yorkies on the news and in the newspaper. We have received hundreds of calls and e-mails about these yorkies and we are sorry that the staff doesn’t have the ability to call or e-mail people back. These dogs are evidence in an upcoming court case and will not be able to be viewed by the public at this time. Please be patient with us and understand that this court case could take months or even years. We are not taking names or applications at this time, but we will be posting them on our website at bcspca.org and at petfinder.com as soon as they become available for the public to see and adopt. Remember we have lots of other really cute homeless pets currently in the shelter waiting for good home that can be viewed and adopted. If you would like to make a donation to help these yorkie or any other animal for their stay with the Bucks County SPCA you can do so online, by mail or in person. Online: Bcspca.org -click on Donate at the top right corner of the screen By mail: P.O. Box 277 Lahaska, PA 18931 In person at our shelter: 1665 Street Rd. Lahaska, PA 18931

[yorkiesmiles]

I wonder if the person who was "caring" for the yorkies was homeless - like they recently lost their home & they broke into this empty home & sat up the kennels & planned to make some money off of these dogs.

[msjagg]

I Pray that whomever is responsible is found and made to pay for what they've done to these poor Yorkies! The picture of the Mother Yorkie is so sad, she had 4 pups to feed with that skinny body !! I hope they're able to get these little ones wonderful furever homes. They certainly deserve that ! Bless each and everyone of them and the person who called the police about them...

[mollie jade]

This is horrible . I wish the person will be arrested .

[lovelylf1]

Those poor little babies! Hearing a story like that makes me want to smack the person who did it and ask them how they could look such an adoreable little creature in the face and do that to them. They need to be punished..... big time.