Deputy: 74 dogs rescued from puppy mill

WIGGINS, Miss. (WALA) - Authorities say the Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Rescue Team and two area humane organizations responded to a request by Stone County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the rescue of 74 small-breed dogs from a Wiggins property.

According to officials, Stone County Sheriff’s Office served a search and seizure warrant on the property and found that the dogs were being housed in filthy and inadequate conditions. They say the dogs were being kept inside the home in small crates and outside in shoddy makeshift shelters. Investigators also say they were covered in animal feces and roaches.

Deputies say the owner has surrendered all but one of the dogs to the sheriff’s office .

The sheriff’s office says local law enforcement became concerned about this facility when the owner was discovered at flea markets in Mississippi and Alabama selling puppies that were lethargic and filthy.

When responders arrived at the seller’s property, they say they found dogs suffering from eye infections, broken limbs, mange and various other medical ailments. Deputies on scene say the puppies also were not socialized and did not have access to proper food and water.

The breeds included Yorkies, poodles, Chihuahuas, Chinese crested and shih tzus.

“These dogs won’t have to spend one more night living in such deplorable conditions. The Humane Society of the United States thanks the Stone County Sheriff’s Office for working with us and the other animal rescue groups to help remove these animals and hopefully find them loving new homes,” says Lydia Sattler, Mississippi state director for The HSUS.

The sheriff’s office says the situation could have been worse.

“The dogs were living in horrendous conditions, and the owner wasn’t properly taking care of them. It doesn’t appear that she’s ever taken them to the vet,” says Phyllis Olds, chief deputy of the Stone County Sheriff’s Office. “If we hadn’t gotten these dogs when we did, we would have ended up with a lot of dead dogs. I’m thankful to the animal protection organizations that helped us rescue these animals.”

Officials say this operation occurred six days before the deadline for the public to comment on a proposal by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to inspect many currently unlicensed puppy mills.

According to deputies, under current regulations, many commercial puppy producers can avoid complying with even the most basic humane care standards. To submit a comment, go to humanesociety.org/usdapuppymills.

The dogs have been safely transported by The HSUS to the Humane Society of Southern Mississippi in Gulfport and Southern Pines Animal Shelter in Hattiesburg. Once at the shelters, they will be thoroughly examined by a team of veterinarians and receive any necessary immediate medical treatment.

The HSUS is grateful for the donations that made this rescue possible. Those donors are Arthur Benjamin, James Berwind, Thomas Brodsky, Amanda Hearst, Michael Katz and Andrew Nibley.