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Tennessee Puppy Mill Dogs Start Their Journey Home
06/30/2008 - By HSUS The HSUS/Riley
A boxer from the Tenn. puppy mill rescue
We often don't realize that such atrocities occur so close to home. Just across the border in Tennessee, a puppy mill housed more than 700 animals, making it the largest mill busted in Tenn. history.
The Humane Society of the United States transported approximately 100 dogs Monday afternoon who were rescued from a Tennessee puppy mill to its Gaithersburg, Md., office.
"This case is especially important because its effects will reach far beyond the 682 dogs who we removed from the puppy mill in Tennessee," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS.
"By increasing public awareness of the horrors of puppy mills, this case will help countless dogs across the country."
How They Were Rescued
The rescue was set into motion by The Humane Society of the United States' Tennessee state director, who received undercover tips and worked with investigators at the District Attorney's office for the 21st Judicial District to build a case against the puppy mill operator.
General Kim Helper, District Attorney for the 21st Judicial District of Tennessee has traveled to Gaithersburg to take part in the press conference being held at The HSUS office.
Shortly after local authorities executed a search warrant at Pine Bluff Kennels the property owner surrendered the animals to the district attorney’s office.
In turn, custody was transferred to The HSUS—nearly 700 dogs, 25 horses and donkeys, 20 cats, 4 parrots, and 15 chickens.
No Way to Live
The HSUS has worked with more than 50 individuals from humane organizations across the country for two days to safely remove all dogs from the facility to an emergency shelter operated by The HSUS.
The dogs were living in cramped rabbit hutches amid piles of their own feces.
Many had significant health problems ranging from painful open wounds to matted hair so extreme the animals were unable to walk.
"After rescuing these dogs from their previous lives of neglect and abuse, I am deeply touched to now see them begin their journey towards finding loving, forever homes," said Scotlund Haisley, HSUS senior director of Emergency Services.
"Although they had been housed in deplorable conditions, the dogs still crave human love and attention.
These calm, sweet animals possess a remarkably resilient spirit and deserve to become cherished family pets."
The Journey Home
After taking in such a large number of animals, The HSUS reached out to partner shelters across the country asking for assistance in placing the animals.
All 682 dogs have now been placed with humane organizations and will soon be evaluated and put up for adoption.
The Washington Humane Society and Washington Animal Rescue League took approximately 100 of the dogs rescued in Tennessee.
The journey marked a happy new beginning for the neglected dogs.
Reprinted with the permission of The Humane Society of the United States.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.
