Puppy Mill - Bella's Story
"Your Northeast, All Natural Collie Breeder"
Crack down on puppy mill in Missouri!
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St. Louis, MO
(KTVI-FOX2Now.com)
The dog breeder whose facility was shut down by the state of Missouri over the weekend for major violations agreed to give up control of her animals. She handed over custody of all 74 dogs to the Missouri Humane Society, but not all of them survived. And the breeder's website continues to make big claims inspectors say are not true.
The dogs were living in one-half of a double wide trailer, sitting in their own waste, drinking dirty water, and succumbing to internal parasites and disease, said the Humane Society.
It was "dank, smelly, and wet and horrible, filthy," said Vice President of Operations Debbie Hill, who was on the team that rescued the animals. "We still have one animal receiving around the clock veterinary care and support. It is not out of the woods yet."
74 Dogs Rescued from Licensed Breeder in Stone County, MO
Breeder failed routine MDA inspection
Working in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Stone County Sheriff’s Department, last night the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force rescued 74 Standard Collies and Bichon Frises, 33 adults and 41 puppies, from a licensed breeding facility near Crane, Mo. in Stone County.
The dogs were living inside half of a double-wide trailer home on the property. The half of the trailer in which the dogs were housed contained numerous wire crates with dogs and puppies living in their own waste. Carpeting in the trailer was soaked with urine and feces. The odor of ammonia overwhelmed officials when they first entered the premises. Several sick, lethargic and listless dogs and puppies were found. Rescuers believe little to no veterinary care had been provided to the animals. The dogs appeared to be thin with coats covered in mud, feces and urine. Only filthy water was available for the animals.
According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, following a routine inspection on February 17, the breeder’s license was revoked. Because the dogs were in distress and immediate jeopardy, a request was made to the Stone County Sheriff to obtain a warrant for possible removal of the animals. MDA requested the assistance of the Humane Society of Missouri to remove and shelter the animals.
The rescued animals arrived early Saturday morning at the Humane Society of Missouri’s Headquarters on Macklind Avenue in St. Louis, Mo. A disposition hearing to determine permanent custody of the dogs will be held Feb. 28 in Galena, Mo. If custody is awarded to the Humane Society of Missouri, and as soon as they are healthy, as many of the dogs as possible will be made available for adoption.
Note: Individuals interested in adopting one of the rescued Standard Collies or Bichon Frises may call (314) 802-5712 for more information. Due to the large number of dogs rescued, we are unable to answer questions about individual animals over the phone.
To adopt a collie rescued at the St. Louis , Missouri Humane society
1201 Macklind Avenue | St. Louis, MO 63110 | phone: (314) 647-8800
They will be on the Website when available for adoption
When available for adoption, the photos will be posted here:
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Bella's Story
Bella was also rescued from this puppymill, along with some of her daughters. Bella is sister to our Sadie Sue. Bella originally came from Garlind Ridge Collies. My good friend and mentor, Linda Thompson sold Bella to another breeder that she thought she could trust.
This breeder, in Kentucky, then sold Bella along with some of her non carrier daughters to Knee Deep In Collies. Linda noticed that the breeder put Bella on her away page. When Linda confronted her, she said that Bella was being whelped by a friend and will be back. Linda found that she was being advertised on puppyfind and another breeders website. This breeder told Linda that Bella would return to her after their deal was fulfilled. Linda tried countless time to buy her back, but was told she is not for sale. What she actually did was sold Bella to Knee Deep In Collies and then lied about it!
Linda made it very clear to this other breeder and in their contract that Bella is not to be sold to another breeder or kennel. And if for any reason the breeder couldn't keep her, she was to put her in a pet companion home where she would be loved and cared for. Needless to say, she did not follow their contract nor did she look out for Bella's best interest, as well as Bella's offspring which she also sold to this puppymill!
In The News:
ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com)
The dog breeder whose facility was shut down by the state of Missouri over the weekend for major violations agreed to give up control of her animals. She handed over custody of all 74 dogs to the Missouri Humane Society, but not all of them survived. The breeder's website continues to make big claims inspectors say are not true.
The dogs were living in one-half of a double wide trailer, sitting in their own waste, drinking dirty water, and succumbing to internal parasites and disease, said the Humane Society.
It was "dank, smelly, and wet and horrible, filthy," said Vice President of Operations Debbie Hill, who was on the team that rescued the animals. "We still have one animal receiving around-the-clock veterinary care and support. It is not out of the woods yet. One adult collie was so sick it had to be euthanized.
The breeding facility was called "Knee Deep in Collies". The majority of the animals rescued are collies and the rest are Bichon Frises. Knee Deep in Collies is in Crane, Missouri, between Joplin and Springfield. The breeder's website advertises a place where the "air smells like cedar". She calls the dogs the light of their lives. "They are our entertainment, our joy," she wrote.
"It's not like that," said Hill. She said while it's possible Knee Deep in Collies used to be what it advertises, it's not anymore. She says two people cannot care for 74 dogs alone, and do it right.
"Our understanding is that this individual did not have veterinary care. We believe that she was trying to do things by herself," she said. Proposition B, which was approved by voters in November 2010 but does not go into effect until November 2011, would have required a hands-on exam by a veterinarian. "For these animals it would've made a crucial difference," Hill added.
Some Missouri lawmakers are trying to make sweeping changes to Proposition B, removing some of the stricter regulations. New versions of the law have passed committee, but they have not passed through either the House or Senate.
Because the breeder has voluntarily handed over custody to the Humane Society, the dogs will be put up for adoption when they are healthy, without having to wait on a court order. Hill believes adoptions might begin around March 7.
In the meantime, the Humane Society needs help. They ask that donations of blankets and rubber dog toys and of course cash be dropped off at their headquarters, which is located at 1201 Macklind, just south of I-64/Highway 40 in St. Louis.
"We brought in towels and blankets," said Amy Harris, who dropped off a couple of bags with her 7-year-old daughter, Emma. "We're hoping it can keep them warm and make them feel a little more safe, get them healthy so they can be adopted."
"I don't understand how you get that many animals and it doesn't bother you that they're living in that condition," Harris said.
There are Missouri breeders who are doing things right, says Hill, but you just have to see it, to know it.
"It all starts with a visit. Ask to see where the animals are raised, don't ask just to see the puppies, ask to see where the mom and dad are raised and housed, too and how they are treated. Where do they live? What vet do they use? Talk to that vet. Do your homework," she said.
The Humane Society's Animal Cruelty Task Force is still investigating, and will likely recommend to prosecutors that charges be filed against the breeder.
Copyright © 2011, KTVI-TV
Scroll down to view photos of Bella
There is NO EXCUSE for abuse!
This is Bella, at the Missouri Humane Society, after being rescued.
"Bella's Tear Drop"
Bella is very sad, from all she's been through, but relieved after being rescued from this puppymill.
One of Bella's daughters, Tiffany, rescued by Missouri Humane Society
Bella as a puppy, in much happier days!
**At Garlind Ridge Collies**
Bella & Littermates Collage
Bella is the daughter of Abby Grace & Hero
Made by Garlind Ridge Collies
This page is dedicated to the collie that did not survive, as well as the other 73 collies & bichons rescued by
The Humane Society of Missouri
Stories like these are so sad to hear, but must be heard.
As a fellow collie breeder, it sickens me to see these animals suffer from neglect. This is considered abuse and no breeder should try to care for so many animals with little assistance.
Why have I taken the stand and posted this on my site?
Because someone needs to! And it's breeders like this, that make us all look bad. Most of us do love and take very good care of our collies...
For more information visit:
February 19, 2011
According to the Humane Society of MO, the dogs (74 Standard Collies and Bichon Frises) were living inside half of a double-wide trailer home on the property inside which were numerous wire crates with dogs and puppies living in their own waste. Carpeting in the trailer was soaked with urine and feces. The odor of ammonia overwhelmed officials when they first entered the premises. Several sick, lethargic and listless dogs and puppies were found. Rescuers believe little to no veterinary care had been provided to the animals.
"BREEDERS LIKE THIS MAKE BREEDERS IN GENERAL LOOK BAD.
THE MAJORITY OF US LOVE OUR COLLIES VERY MUCH AND TAKE WONDERFUL CARE OF THEM."
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