Animal Rescue

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force rescuing more than 100 dogs
from unlicensed, substandard puppy mill in Phelps County

Update-Two cats and 100 dogs rescued. Dog breeds include mainly Pomeranians, Jack Russell Terriers, Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas and Poodle mix breeds. The animals are currently being transported to the Humane Society of Missouri where they will be evaluated by a veterinarian and given fresh food and water.

A disposition hearing has been set for October 8, 2009 to determine if the Humane Society of Missouri will receive custody of the animals. If custody is granted, adoptable animals will be available for adoption. We will not be taking adopter applications. Please check our website after Oct. 8 for adoptable pets.

September 15, 2009-Working in cooperation with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force is rescuing more than 100 dogs living in filthy conditions on the site of an unlicensed, substandard dog breeding facility outside Rolla, Missouri. The Phelps County Sheriff’s Department executed a warrant that was served to remove the animals today.

The animals are believed to be mostly small breeds including Miniature Pinscher, Poodle, Chihuahua, Pomeranian and Yorkshire Terrier. The animals’ kennels were observed to be caked with feces and urine. A number of the dogs appeared in need of veterinary and grooming care. The animals were housed in too few cages for their number and had limited access to solid footing as the cages had wire floors which can cause paw and leg problems. Several puppies and a mother were in a filthy, dirt floor pen with the only water source an algae-lined bucket of mosquito-infested water.

The rescued dogs will be taken to the Humane Society’s Headquarters on Macklind Avenue in
St. Louis for triage. The animals will remain in the custody of the Humane Society of Missouri until the disposition hearing scheduled for October 8 in Phelps County.

If custody of the dogs is awarded to the Humane Society of Missouri, as many of the animals as possible will be made available for adoption. Persons interested in adopting one of these dogs should visit the Humane Society of Missouri website at www.hsmo.org to check availability and adoption location.

WHEN/ Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009

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