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130 dogs rescued from puppy mill arrive on LI

KENNY PORPORA

November 12, 2007

About 130 dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Virginia will be up for adoption Friday at the North Shore Animal League in Port Washington, an official with the group said.

More than 980 dogs were rescued from a puppy mill in Carroll County, Va., last week by about 25 animal rescue organizations, said Devera Lynn, North Shore's vice president of communications. The league is taking in 132 dogs -- the most of any organization.

"You can tell they've never had any human contact before," Lynn said at the shelter Saturday amid a symphony of barks and howls. "But you can see they've been craving it."

The dogs are mostly small-breed female puppies, ages 6 months and up.

The dogs were taken after a five-month investigation by the Humane Society of the United States of commercial breeder Junior Horton, said Gary Larrowe, Carroll County administrator. Horton, the owner of the breeding mill, may face criminal charges of animal cruelty. He will keep 200 of the dogs and acquire proper licensing.

A decision on whether to file criminal charges against Horton is expected within a few weeks, Larrowe said.

Before the operation last week, Horton called the effort to remove dogs from his farm "dognapping."

"They just come in on me out of the blue," he said. "I've got the best kennel in southwest Virginia."

Upon arrival at North Shore, the dogs' hair was filthy and matted, their nails so long they curled into their paws, leaving some unable to walk. Their ears were crusted with dirt.

Most of the dogs had spent their entire lives in cages, often with two or three other dogs, and had never been outside. Dogs kept in puppy mills are often used to produce several litters.

Lynn said the League gives the dog medical and behavioral evaluations and treatments, spaying and neutering, and extensive grooming and bathing.

"Some of the dogs are so shaken up, we have to be extra gentle with them, so not to scare them further," said groomer Cindy Ventura, as she shaved matted fur from a white bichon frise before washing him.

Those interested in adopting a dog should visit the shelter to make an appointment with an adoption counselor.

"These dogs actually have hearts and souls, and they feel pain," Lynn said. "And they want to be loved so badly. Hopefully, they'll all get that chance."