Largest Puppy Mill Bust In TN. History.

** some info taken from www.hsus.org **

On June 26, 2008, the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) along with local authorities executed a warrant on a puppy mill called Pine Bluff Kennels. The suffering they saw was unimaginable, even to the seasoned officers. More than 700, yes 700, dogs, 25 horses and donkeys, 20 cats, 4 parrots and 15 chickens were seized.

There was the the smell of massive tragedy. The most neglected area of this puppy mill housed mother dogs and young offspring. These animals were left to wallow in mounds of their own feces, most of them with no food or water. Because the youngest animals are most vulnerable they found several puppies who succumbed to neglect.

These animals died without ever having a chance. They never even had names—nothing but misery. The older breeding dogs at the facility didn't fare much better. They were housed in a sea of tiny wire cages that made it impossible for them to stand comfortably—forcing their legs through the grates. Many had never had the opportunity to feel the security of solid ground beneath their feet.

The team came across the grave site of a pile of dogs with multiple gunshot wounds in their decaying bodies. Shot and thrown away like garbage. But, people that have puppy mills don't care about anything but money. These animals are garbage to them when they can no longer produce.

The owner of this horrid operation had agreed to surrender all of the animals to the local district attorney's office. May the punishment fit the crime this time. So, remember, if you purchase a dog from a pet store, this is the kind of operations you are keeping in business. People who just breed dogs to death.

I have many, many posts on puppy mills, but this one took my breath when I read about it. Please, please don't purchase a dog from a pet store or off the Internet, or through classified ads in the paper. Remember, reputable breeders do not sell their dogs through these means. If you absolutely think you need a purebred dog, there are many, many breed rescues out there. I have heard people say, "Oh, I don't know what these dogs have been through, and I bet they have all kinds of behavioral and genetic problems." This is not the case.

Breed rescues know what animals are special needs and only place them with people who can give them that special care. And, your local shelters have many purebreds up for adoption. Give a shelter dog or a breed rescue dog a second chance.