RICHMOND, Va. - A dog breeding operation that was home to more than 600 breeding females is now the site of a huge rescue operation, with the owner agreeing to relinquish nearly 1,000 dogs for treatment and possible adoption.

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Hundreds of puppies, mostly small, purebred varieties such as pugs, corgis and King Charles spaniels were taken to an emergency operations center staffed by volunteer veterinarians, Carroll County Administrator Gary Larrowe said Thursday.

He estimated that as many as 120 people are involved at any given time, and said the pet store chain PetSmart sent a tractor-trailer load of supplies.

"I'm not sure what we would have done with 1,000 dogs otherwise," he said.

The dog breeding operation was uncovered by the Humane Society of the United States during a five-month investigation into so-called "puppy mills" in Virginia. Local animal rights groups made sure the county was aware of the report, and the county then asked for state help.

Many of the dogs were discovered in cages made of wire fencing and wood framing, said the Humane Society's John Snyder. The animals largely appeared to be in good shape, Larrowe said, although many were denied the socialization that produces good pets.

Junior Horton, the owner of the breeding operation, has been breeding dogs for more than 20 years, he told authorities, and had a license to have as many as 500 dogs.

Earlier this week, Horton called the effort to remove dogs from his farm "dognapping." He said, "They just come in on me out of the blue."

"I've got the best kennel in southwest Virginia," he said.

In negotiations with county officials, Horton will keep 200 dogs and will secure the proper licensing and comply with federal laws for dog breeders, Larrowe said.

He could eventually face charges that include animal cruelty, but he has cooperated as authorities work to remove the dogs from his farm, treat them and send them on to shelters.

Animal shelters up and down the East Coast are preparing for arrivals.

The dogs, once cleared for release, will be sent to shelters from as far away as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to upstate New York, Snyder said.

 

Poor puppies. I'm gonna go bring one home.

 

If they were cats they could release them into the wild!

Doggies FTW I hope they all find good homes

 

People buy dogs at pet shops without ever seeing the dog’s parents, or the people that bred the dog. Its a shame. As long as there are ignorant buyers, there will be puppy mills.

 

Yeah, my wife (along with many others) sent emails to Delegate Frank Hargrove about a week before this broke and he just blew them off. D1ck!

 

what kind of dogs are they? like pitbulls or something? my parents shelties had one puppy and it's like less then a week old. only one survived sheltie puppies are soooo small they're like little mice haha....it's their second litter and only one survived the first one which my sister has now...his names rambo and is bigger then lexi and cody...i think they are going to try to sell her...so if you know anyone that wants a female 100% sheltie puppy let me know, it's less then a week old right now but both lexi and cody are pedigreed or however you spell it....

 

no it didn't say they were pittbulls...just says: mostly small, purebred varieties such as pugs, corgis and King Charles spaniels

 

I agree.. Although I ended up purchasing Revv from one of these places "Just Puppies".

Back when I was looking for a dog I stopped into their Laurel location (disgusting place) and saw poor Revv jammed in one of their old center cages that wasn't tall enough for a puppy great dane to fully stand up in. Simply grotesque and unacceptable.

An hour later Revv got his first ride in a 350Z, straight to his new home. It was several weeks before Revv's legs recovered and he was fully able to stand tall with his rear legs.

Picture of my Great Dane, Kitty, when she was a puppy (approx 3 months):







Revv at approx eight months:



A while later I joined MAGDRL and had the opportunity to foster a few Danes. GREAT EXPERIENCE!

Danes are arguably one of the cutest and neatest puppies so people buy them up, but far too often they are not prepared for the size and expense of feeding the giants they become.

Full Grown Danes (Kitty has grown 2" taller sense this pic):



Revv:





As you can see quite a transformation and it happens in just over a year...

If anyone has the time and a home with a yard I implore you to consider opening your house to a companion in need. MAGDRL is a great organization who badly needs more foster homes that are able to take in one of these gentile giants until a permanent home is located. You can visit their website here for more information:
www.magdrl.org

 

1,000 puppies runnning around would be so cute