AR-News: (TX - US) Another puppy mill bust!

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

It seems the folks in Texas are getting serious, another bust
today...YEAH!!!!

http://www.spca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=News_Van_Zandt_July_2004

SPCA of Texas Rescues 88 Animals from East Texas Breeder

The SPCA of Texas, in conjunction with the Van Zandt County sheriff's
office, rescued a  total of 88 animals-37 dogs, 26 cats, 22 Barbado sheep, 
two wolf hybrids and  one rabbit-from a breeder in East Texas on July 1.

The animals-which included large and small breed dogs and purebred Persian
cats-  were living in a cat and puppy mill near Ben Wheeler, Tex., east of 
Canton.
They had  been forced to live in crowded, filthy conditions without clean 
food or
water. Many of the sheep were underweight and infested with worms. Both the 
cats and dogs had  upper respiratory illnesses.

Linda Williams, 49, who resides in the 400 block of Van Zandt County Road
4105 just  outside Canton, faces possible charges of animal cruelty.

Officials from the Van Zandt County Sheriff's department have repeatedly
visited the  property over the last year and issued warnings to improve the 
animals'
living conditions.  Most of the cats and dogs lived in small, cramped cages, 
and many of the  animals are
emaciated. Some of the cages also contained dead animals.

The animals were taken to the SPCA in McKinney at 8411 FM 720 where they
will be  examined by veterinarians, vaccinated, wormed and cared for until 
final
custody is determined. 

A hearing is scheduled for Friday, July 9 at 9:30 a.m. at the Pct. 2
Courthouse at 250   Grove Street, Canton, TX 75103, Justice of the Peace 
Ronnie Daniels. If the  SPCA is  awarded custody, the cats and dogs will be spayed 
or neutered and made   available for  adoption along with the sheep and the 
rabbit. The wolf hybrids will go to a  sanctuary.

This is the SPCA's third puppy mill raid in Van Zandt County this year. Dave
Garcia,     the SPCA's VP of Humane Law Enforcement, says that law 
enforcement officials   there   are "taking a more active role in animal cruelty because 
they have the  resources   through the SPCA do to just that."

"The SPCA urges citizens to take action and contact legislators to stiffen
laws and   penalties that will eliminate the market for mass-bred pets," says 
Garcia.
"We must   stop the unnecessary addition of countless animals to an already 
tragic
problem of   pet overpopulation." 

Typically, dogs bred in puppy mills are sold in venues such as flea markets,
pet shops,   over the internet or via newspaper ads. In most cases, the 
animals, many  with medical   problems, are not vaccinated or wormed, are 
malnourished and sick, and   suffer abuse, 
physical stress and lack of socialization. 

View <http://www.spca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Vanzandt_slide_1>  Photos  
 of the animals and conditions

As always, the SPCA is seeking donations from the public to cover the cost
of this   and other Rescue Operations. 

To donate, contact 1-888-ANIMALS, ext. 128, E-mail  <mailto:lshay at spca.org>
lshay at spca.org or visit  <http://www.spca.org/> www.spca.org.
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