“In this case you have got a private citizen who is in rural Missouri, minding her own business, running a kennel”, Smith’s attorney says.
Advertisement
The Animal Humane Society began looking into the couple in August 2015, following reports of a large number of dogs living in a home, garage and pole barn in Stacy, Minnesota.
“They just don’t want to let go of the dogs and then it turns into a hoarding situation”.
Authorities responded based on a tip received by the Humane Society of the United States, which offers up to $5,000 for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of puppy mill operators, the nonprofit organization said in a news release. Hanson said the owners likely bred the dogs, with the intention of selling them, but kept more than they sold.
Some of the dogs have already found new homes, while others are receiving medical treatments, behavior assistance and being prepared for adoption. Upon arrival, Hanson said he saw in the home dirty dogs with matted hair living in “extremely unsanitary” conditions that reeked of urine.
Before they could search the property, the dogs were moved to another location. Hanson soon learned that the couple had more dogs than they had agreed to give up, but by the time the investigator attempted to make arrangements to confiscate those animals the owners had moved again and returned to the Maplewood property.
The dogs will appear on the AHS website once they are ready for adoption.
“I saw all the dog carriers in the driveway”, said neighbor Michael Salverda. “You’d hear maybe three or four”.
Advertisement
Many were small breed dogs like Shih Tzus, Poodles and Maltese mixes.
