July 4, 2008

ASPCA Offers Forensics Expertise in Record-Breaking Puppy Mill Raid

The ASPCA is assisting in Tennessee’s largest-ever puppy mill raid, lending our special cruelty investigation team that includes two forensic veterinarians and our Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit

The 747 animals discovered in the raid, which began early last Wednesday, were kept in enclosures throughout the 92 acres of hilly and rocky terrain known as Pine Bluff Kennels in Lyles, TN. While the vast majority is dogs, other animals on the property include horses, burros, miniature horses, chickens, goats, parrots and pedigreed cats.

The ASPCA team, including Dr. Melinda Merck, the nation’s premier forensic veterinarian and animal CSI, was deployed at the request of the Humane Society of the United States to assist in the collection of evidence for future use in the likely criminal prosecution of the farm’s owner. According to Merck, there are about 700 dogs on the property—including more than 200 puppies—all suffering from a lack of basic care. The dogs were found in feces-encrusted, unventilated pens with little or no food or water. Maladies such as matting, sores, broken limbs, hernias and abscesses are prevalent. Breeds found on the site run the gamut, from Pomeranians and Chihuahuas to German shepherds and Great Danes.

“This is one of the worst situations I have ever seen,” says Merck. “Animals are in extreme states of neglect and illness. Some are dead. The overcrowding, the unsanitary conditions, the flea and parasite infestation, as well as the stress of competing for food and coping with untreated illnesses, are all severe.”

“We are pleased to be able to lend both human resources and hi-tech equipment to this effort in Tennessee as part of our ongoing fight against puppy mills,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “We want to see this cruelty come to an end.”

For complete details, please read our latest press release. And to find out what you can do to fight puppy mills, visit ASPCA.org/puppymills.

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