BUXTON, Maine –The Humane Society of the United States (The HSUS) is helping Buxton, Maine police and animal welfare officials treat about 250 dogs and puppies seized from a massive puppy mill there Tuesday.
A Buxton Police Department search warrant served on J'aime Kennel at 35 Paucek Road early Tuesday turned up about 250 dogs and puppies. Many of the animals had sarcoptic mange, a contagious disease found in dogs.
Further tests, including tests for parasite giardia, were to be performed on the animals. The dogs were primarily miniature Australian shepherds, Brussels griffons, French bull dogs, American bull dogs and shelties.
Kennel owners Heidi and John Frasca face 17 civil and criminal charges, including 14 civil charges alleging they ran a kennel without a license, two criminal counts of animal cruelty and one criminal count of failure to provide necessary medical treatment to animals, according to a written release from police.
"The conditions we found these animals in—just like with most puppy mills—are in stark contrast to the images of puppies purchased in pet stores or over the Internet," said Joanne Bourbeau, New England regional director of The HSUS. "Consumers would be shocked at the lack of care that dogs in mass breeding facilities receive. Thanks to the cooperative efforts of the local, state and national groups involved we were able to stop this particular operation."
In addition to The HSUS, more than 40 volunteers and veterinarians helped police with the seizure Tuesday, including the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland and the Animal Welfare Society from Kennebunk.
Police intended to use the search warrant not only to seize the animals, but to look for medical records and veterinary records on the dogs. Giardiasis had already been diagnosed in one of the puppies sold from the kennel. Giardiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by a microscopic parasite.
The Buxton Police Department is urging anyone who has bought a puppy or dog from J'aime Kennel within the past few months to have the animal tested for both giardia and sarcoptic mange.
"There are puppy mills operating in every state across the country and these businesses will continue to thrive as long as consumers purchase puppies from pet stores and over the Internet," said Stephanie Shain, HSUS puppy mill expert. "People end up with sick and dying dogs, heartbreak and enormous expenses, and this story unfortunately never has a happy ending."
Facts:
· The HSUS estimates between 2 million and 4 million puppy mill puppies are sold each year in the U.S.
· Many dogs sold at pet stores come from puppy mills and often have severe health problems, genetic defects and behavioral issues.
· Documented puppy mill conditions include over-breeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor food and shelter, crowded cages and lack of adequate socialization.
· Dogs kept for breeding in puppy mills suffer for years, being bred over and over until they are then killed, sold or abandoned.
· The Internet is a tool often used by puppy mills and pet stores who hide behind attractive Web sites and claim to be reputable breeders.
· Reputable breeders never sell puppies over the Internet or through a pet store. Rather, they will insist on meeting the family who plans to buy the dog.
· Puppy mills contribute to the millions of unwanted dogs euthanized at shelters every year.
· Never buy a dog from a pet store. Visit a shelter where one of four dogs is a purebred, or find a breed rescue group.
On site contact: Joanne Bourbeau, New England regional director, at 301-529-3378, and Katie Lisnik, HSUS Maine state director, at 301-529-0372.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
