Saturday, March 12, 2011

Missouri Puppy Mills: Invasive Painful Vet Procedures Performed by Dog Breeder

Background:
Late last year, researchers at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) spent weeks poring over state and federal inspection reports, investigators’ photographs, and enforcement records to compile a list of some of the worst puppy mills in Missouri, known as “Missouri’s Dirty Dozen.” The report included direct quotes detailing horrific care violations documented in the facilities’ federal and/or state kennel inspection reports The violations included thin-coated breeds like Italian greyhounds found shivering in the cold in temperatures as low as 9 degrees, dogs with open, oozing or bleeding sores, underweight dogs with their entire skeletal structures showing, and sick or dying puppies who had not been treated by a vet.

March 9, 2011, the HSUS released an update to this report.  The majority of the Missouri Dirty Dozen kennels are still state licensed and in operation.  On the same day, the Missouri Senate voted 20 - 14 to repeal Prop B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.  The Missouri House will vote on this issue soon.
If there is any doubt in your mind that MO Prop B, as written and passed by voters last November, is needed and provides essential protection for dogs, please read below for details from the Dirty Dozen update.

S K's Kennel, Bill and Sandra Sackrey, Brookfield MO
S K's Kennel remains both USDA and MDA licensed through 2011 despite ongoing violations.  They've accumulated repeat Animal Welfare Act violations for failure to provide adequate veterinary care for numerous animals, including dogs with missing teeth and a dog who was missing a portion of his jaw, and sick or dying puppies. Several underweight dogs "thin in appearance with visible hip bones and vertebrae" were found in April 2010, as well as dogs with matting so severe that urinary/ anal openings were blocked. A rusty scalpel and scissors were found at the facility in May 2010 - the licensee admitted to using these dirty instruments on his dogs
.
Shockingly, the violations at this facility continue to escalate: in Oct. 2010 the licensee admitted to a federal inspector that he performed dewclaw removal and tail docking on 1 to 2 week old puppies
without the approval of a vet. He also stated that he cleans the dogs’ teeth and "extracts them when necessary" - the licensee stated that sometimes he has to stop because of the excessive amount of blood or when the dogs try to bite down on his fingers. Other violations include dogs in need of veterinary attention, dogs with untreated dental issues - "a wet, brown to green discharge was present along the gumline," multiple expired medications, housing in disrepair (repeat), accumulations of grime and hair and more.


Here are quotes from the October 2010 USDA inspection report:

“The licensee stated that he removes dewclaws and docks the tails of 1 to 2 day old puppies, but he does not have any documentation showing that he is appropriately trained and qualified to perform these procedures.” (USDA inspection Oct. 2010)

“The licensee stated that he cleans the dogs‟ teeth and extracts them when necessary. A bottle of 'Anased' was present in the facility, which he states he sometimes administers to the dogs intramuscularly while cleaning and extracting their teeth. The licensee stated he sometimes has to stop the procedures and finish them later due to the presence of excessive amounts of blood or when the animals begin to bite down on his fingers, which could indicate that the animals are experiencing pain or distress. The licensee is not a veterinarian and is not qualified to administer anesthesia/ sedation or
conduct invasive, painful veterinary procedures such as dental extractions.” (USDA inspection Oct. 2010)
 

"The following medical items were in the kennel area ready for use but were expired:  A container of amoxicillin pills inside the same refrigerator used to store vaccines expired 1/2002;  a container of catgut suture that the licensee stated he sometimes uses on umbilical cords expired 9/2004.  Expired medical products such as suture may become contaminated and could result in infections in the animals."  (USDA inspection Oct 2010).

2 comments:

  1. I bought a dog 10 yrs ago not aware of this. Reeder and did not investigate them when I bought dog and received AKV papers. I love my dog but have spent $12,000 so far on medical expense. my bet said very bad genes. Now I know why. I plan on consulting g an attorney. any support I can get from other victoms please contact me. Bellesmithny@yahoo.com

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  2. Nancy & Stephen Oxford, MAJanuary 8, 2014 at 6:55 PM

    Please share your stories ...I started a Facebook Page " Pennies From Heaven" We purchased our Cockapoo Dog 2 years ago from a local pet store ...two days later Penny became very ill had Kennel Cough which lasted for months...Pnemonia in both lungs and Parasites...prior they had done a hernia operation on her only weighing 4 lbs..so inhumane.....we were told from our vet she may not survive from her sickness...luckily she is 2 years old now and has survived ...she has had complications when having surgery.. very unhealthy medical history...This Government needs to have stricter regulations as does each state regarding these Puppy Mills ...I strongly feel that tey need to prosecute these breeders for cruelty and neglect..So inhumane and Cruel...If a child or animal is left in an car unattended in extreme heat or cold the owner is prosecuted for neglect well don't you think these Puppy Mills should pay also... and the Mother Dogs are continuously bred ..how sick is that...We have contacted the Board of Health ...Attorney Generals Office and nothing has been done...they still in business ...as is "The Breeder from The Dirty Dozen" as listed above L. Cox...We need to speak out for these animals...My symapty goes out to all the owners who have lost their precious dogs and puppies ..Please share a story on Facebook Page ."Pennies From Heaven..."Penny Lapomardo"
    Thank You,
    Nancy & Stephen From Oxford, Massachusettts

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