These poor dogs...

[gbarmranch]

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.

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.

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[RockItDontKnockit22]

And they're letting him keep 200?!?! After all that? How does one man take care of that many dogs? We have 4 dogs and they are a lot to take care of. 200? That's just nuts.

Those poor, poor dogs.

[SueBee]

I hope that the rescues can find good homes for them. ***Shakes head***

1000 dogs. I can not even imagine.

[gbarmranch]

They should take them all.. but I wish I knew where to contact someone on them - I would take at least one ...

[Diamond_Y]

If his breeding stock, for lack of a better term, are correct, there are some very expensive puppies available. Around here corgis and King Charles spaniels are very expensive. Not sure about pugs, but my guess is that those are not cheap, either!

[gbarmranch]

I wonder what condition they are in though - and social skills must be almost not existant - how does one even begin to take care of 1000 dogs, unless he had lots of help..

[Kemstar]

Although I don't know this guy, his operation is about 90 minutes away from us. I was shocked when they showed footage of the kennels. Believe it or not, things were bright, CLEAN, and tidy. Every cage that was filmed had large feed bins and water bottles securely attached. The dogs that we watched being rescued were clean and appeared happy and bright-eyed. He was acutally licensed to have 500. The authorities found over 1,000 on his property. He had several employees who were shocked and upset over the confiscation of the dogs and puppies.

I'm not saying that what he did was right or wrong. Puppy mills are a disgusting and dirty little secret in today's society whose indiscriminate breeding practices usually result in tragedy. This guy, however, seemed to take good care of his animals. I hope the authorities can find all the shot records and find these animals good home.

[triangle5]

I can't imagine being able to care for 1000 of anything. That's a lot of records to keep and keep straight. I hope all of the puppies are well enough to be adopted. At least they're little and purebred, that should help.

[gbarmranch]

Well, that is good to know..healthy has a good chance for adoption then..

You wonder though about genetic issues - maybe he also tested for these and was selective.. I just prefer to get my dogs from a home raised environment..

[pvf]

Although, I don't condon anyone having 1000 dogs. This was his lively hood. He probably had some of the most expensive dogs. And with hired help probably had some of the best care for his animals. His animals were probably taken better care of then if someone else would have 20 -30 dogs. Since it is his business and reputation. Also, he never would have been given a license in the first place for 500 dogs if they didn't think he could take care of them. yes, they maybe weren't socialized as much as a pet and that makes me sad. but, I've seen alot worse abuse than that from people who only had 1-2 dogs.

[Diamond_Y]

I agree, PVF. Personally, I cannot imagine taking care of that many animals, but if they were clean, well fed, and healthy, then they were better off than many "pets."

[gbarmranch]

Originally Posted by pvf

Although, I don't condon anyone having 1000 dogs. This was his lively hood. He probably had some of the most expensive dogs. And with hired help probably had some of the best care for his animals. His animals were probably taken better care of then if someone else would have 20 -30 dogs. Since it is his business and reputation. Also, he never would have been given a license in the first place for 500 dogs if they didn't think he could take care of them. yes, they maybe weren't socialized as much as a pet and that makes me sad. but, I've seen alot worse abuse than that from people who only had 1-2 dogs.

Boy, the article sure didn't sound like they were cared for did it.. When I first read that I could only imagine filthy scrawny dirty flea infested wormy puppies..

I do agree with you on this.. but he is in violation of his license with that many dogs.. He was only allowed 500..

[joustinggirl]

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

I wonder what condition they are in though - and social skills must be almost not existant - how does one even begin to take care of 1000 dogs, unless he had lots of help..

I'll let you know. We are volunteering our time to spay and neuter about 30 of them Thursday night. I am so glad that I work for a clinic that balances making money with compassion!!

[gbarmranch]

What great folks... Hubby would have a fit, but a little dog - like a corgi - wouldn't be too bad...

[Diamond_Y]

My husband nearly died when he found out that we're up to 3 dogs, I cannot imagine what he'd say to 500!!!

The breeder I got my puppy from didn't keep her dogs in her house, but she has a very nice heated and cooled facility for them behind her house. Honestly, it was cleaner than my house!

[Range]

What disgusts me is that he's breeding 600 females. I recently contacted a rescue near here and discovered they had 200 dogs waiting for new homes. 200 dogs that had been abandoned or reliquished or seized. 200 unwanted dogs! And this guy is breeding MORE?!

[EquineLaw78]

You know, I have noticed that more pet stores in my area are selling puppies now, and most of those puppies are coming from operations like that one.

My theory is that because rescues and reputable breeders are screening more people and putting more stringent standards on what one must have (or not have) in order to purchase or adopt an animal, that people who just "want a dog" are going corporate and getting puppies from the puppy farms and paying HUGE amounts of money to get those dogs.

Strangely enough, I would imagine many of those dogs end up in the rescues.

So I think in a way, the rescues and reputable breeders are unintentionally causing a backlash. I also think the same thing tends to happen in horse breeding. Because the indiscriminately bred animals go to irresponsible owners, those same indiscriminately bred animals end up in rescues to be placed with responsible owners.

I am certainly not meaning to say that having high standards is a bad thing, and it's unfortunate that there are those who can still vicariously profit in this manner.

[farmergal]

Hundreds of puppies, mostly small, purebred varieties

I've gone numb! The shock is to great This seizure couldn't have happened at a better time for the humane society with the holidays just around the corner. I smell something fishy in all this. They have known for 5 months. I think they were waiting for the picking to be ripe. It all boils down to the all mighty dollar. Why else would they leave him with so many.

The animals largely appeared to be in good shape, although many were denied the socialization that produces good pets.

I hope they went to no kill shelters

I have a litter of 4 toy poodle puppies and I can't keep up. Two of my dogs are in full heat. Thankfully I have no plan to breed them at this time. After reading this the future doesn't look promising either.

[roberts617]

Holy geeze! 1000 dogs, I have no idea how anyone could keep up with that many!

Can you imagine the noise? I sure can't. That's outrageous. That is also a lot of poo...he had to have help of some sort.

And what will they do with that many un-socialized dogs and puppies? That's an awful lot to have to socialize and re-home.

[Blondie]

Originally Posted by roberts617

Can you imagine the noise? I sure can't.

Oh man!
Imagine when people came to look at the dogs!
1000 barking dogs.
I hope the neighbours had earplugs!