KSPR Humane Society Yorkshire Terriers Rescued from Alleged Puppy Mills
Nearly 100 dogs rescued from the Ozarks last week are recovering in a Humane Society of Missouri facility in St. Louis.
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Last Friday, Greene County authorities seized 93 dogs from what they call a deplorable puppy mill.
The owners have signed the animals over to the Humane Society of Missouri.
The rescued Yorkshire Terriers were shaved and bathed after they were saved from cages on a Pleasant Hope property.
“In some cases performing the exam was difficult because there was so much matting they were like little mummies,” says Steven Schwartz, Humane Society of Missouri Director of Veterinary Services.
Schwartz says the severe matting caused bones to form abnormally.
“Many of their kneecaps are dislocated,” Schwartz says.
Underneath the matted feces Schwartz says he found more problems.
He says the vast majority had skin infections and open wounds.
It took a lot of work to groom the 93 dogs.
After shaving half of them veterinarians removed more than 50 pounds of matted feces and fur.
Schwartz says malnourishment caused severe dental disease.
“It’s affecting their ability to chew food,” Schwartz says.
Many dogs will get multiple surgeries but recovery doesn’t stop there.
Humane Society members say each dog also needs socialization.
“All they can do is bark and spin in their cages because they want attention. Humane Society of Missouri Director of Adoption Center Cyndi Nason says, They’ve never had that.
Nason says many dogs dont even know what grass is.
Even though three dogs didn’t make it, volunteers hope special owners can give the special dogs a new chance.
“These little guys will love any loving home,” Schwartz says.
The dogs owners, who are in their 50s, were arrested and released last Friday.
As of Monday evening, no charges had been filed in the case.
Humane Society members would like to see one count of animal abuse filed for each dog.
Anyone interested in donating or adopting can call (314) 802-5712 or go to http://www.hsmo.org.
Anyone interested in adopting a dog should not call The Southwest Missouri Humane Society.
The humane society expects the dogs will need several more weeks to recover before they can be adopted.
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