AR-News: UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service Assists with Montana Puppy Mill Rescue

[United Animal Nations]

UAN's Emergency Animal Rescue Service Assists with Montana Puppy Mill Rescue


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO, CA (June 21, 2004) - At the request of local authorities, the
Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) arrived in central Montana late last
week to assist with the temporary shelter of more than 100 dogs seized by
law enforcement officials during a June 10th raid on an alleged puppy mill.

Responding to complaints of alleged animal cruelty, officers from the Judith
Basin County Sheriff's office arrived at the property with a search warrant.
Officers involved with the case stated that the condition of the dogs was so
horrific they were unable to determine the sex and breed of many of the
dogs. After documentation for the pending criminal charges, the dogs were
seized and transported to Stanford, where EARS volunteers helped build a
temporary shelter to house, treat and care for the dogs.

"This could well be largest felony animal abuse case in Montana history,"
reports EARS National Director Kay Mayfield, who is leading the crew of six
EARS volunteers who have traveled to central Montana to assist. "The animals
were found in hideous mud-filled enclosures with inches of feces on the
ground and no food and water. The dogs are safe now and receiving
appropriate medical attention."

The Humane Society of the United States is assisting law enforcement
officials with the legal aspects of this case. On Tuesday representatives
from Montana's Attorney General's office, who are expected to prosecute this
case, will meet with shelter volunteers and tour the temporary shelter.

The shelter is in dire need of volunteers during the week. Any EARS or local
community volunteers who would like to assist are encouraged to contact
Judith Basin County Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinator Bonnie
Ostertag at (406) 566-2277.

Puppy mills are a big - and sad - business. Facilities like the one raided
in Montana often go unregulated and continue to breed female dogs, usually
housing them with their puppies in deplorable conditions. The puppies - who
have no pedigree or assurances of health - are sold to pet stores around the
country. All this while millions of dogs die annually in animal shelters
nationwide.



EARS, the disaster rescue program of United Animal Nations, is a nationwide
network of more than 2,000 trained volunteers dedicated to rescuing and
caring for animals during disasters. During the past fourteen years, EARS
volunteers have helped thousands of animal disaster victims including those
displaced by last fall's devastating Southern California wildfires.

All disaster rescues are funded by donations. To contribute to the EARS'
Montana puppy mill rescue effort, send donations to EARS/UAN, P.O. Box
188890, Sacramento, CA 95818. For the latest update on EARS' Montana rescue
efforts, please visit UAN's website at www.uan.org.

United Animal Nations is a non-profit national animal advocacy and rescue
organization headquartered in Sacramento, California. For further
information, contact UAN at (916) 429-2457, visit our website at www.uan.org
or send an email to info at uan.org.