AR-News: (NM - US) Vet bills for seized dogs from puppy show increasing

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Vet bills for seized dogs increasing; city wants puppy shop owners to pay 
  
An animal control officer carries two puppies out from the Puppy Patch on April 23. 
 
 
Last Update: 05/01/2004 9:32:06 AM
By: Todd Dukart


More than two dozen dogs seized from an Albuquerque puppy shop last week are costing the city over $11,000 to care for, and the city wants the puppy shop’s owners to pay the bills.

The city’s Animal Services seized 27 dogs from the Puppy Patch at Menaul and University on April 23, and then closed the business. The city is taking care of the dogs at its east side animal shelter. Veterinarian bills, food, and shelter costs have reached $11,296, and the tab is still running.

The city sent letters to the Puppy Patch owners Friday, demanding payment.

The owners, who were not available for comment Friday night, want the animals back. The city says it will fight that in court.

“Given the deplorable conditions they were in, how sick they were, that it’s not in the best interest of those animals to return them to the Puppy Patch under any circumstances,” said assistant city attorney Greg Wheeler. He says the owners face 27 counts of animal cruelty.

The city is still building a case against the business.

“What we’re doing today is trying to let the public know that if they have bought a sick animal from there or witnessed sick animals there to please call us and let us know,” said Viki Elkey of Animal Protection of New Mexico.

On Monday night, city councilor Sally Mayer will ask for a moratorium on pet shop permits to encourage people to adopt from shelters.