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A commercial dog breeder is under investigation after at least 600 dogs were found living in deplorable conditions at a Tennessee puppy mill.
The Mercer, Tennessee dog breeding operation was named one of the Humane Society’s ‘Horrible Hundred’ puppy mills actively breeding and selling puppies across the country.
According to an announcement by Guardians of Rescue, 600 dogs were living in horrific conditions during the raid, while several others were in active labor delivering more puppies. Investigators also discovered a shed piled with deceased dogs.
“This is still a very active investigation, so we cannot elaborate at this point but we can tell you that one of the worst puppy mills in America has been stopped. The alleged perpetrator is a criminal mastermind, using a number of websites to sell puppies across the US, set up so that it’s difficult to tell where the dogs are even coming from, leaving a path of victims, both dogs and the people who bought them, all over the country,” a Guardians of Rescue Facebook post stated.
“Today’s a big victory for animals in Tennessee. This is the most horrific puppy mill bust in the past 20 years. We are confident that as a result of this case, laws will change and the animals of Tennessee will get more protection, as they deserve.”
A witness told WVLT that every room of the mobile home at 179 Sanderson Road in Mercer, Tennessee was stacked floor to ceiling with hundreds of dogs in crates. Most of the dogs are Daschunds and Shar Peis.
“We would like to see the laws in Tennessee change to keep this from happening again,” said Guardians of Rescue spokesperson K.B. “This was the most horrific puppy mill I’ve ever seen in my life. There’s no excuse for this at all.”
Daschund Haus Rescue, who took in 13 of the 600 dogs said all 13 were in very bad condition but are on their way to a better life. They also urged everyone to report puppy mills, saying it was the persistence of animal lovers that continued reporting the breeder for many, many months that finally led to their rescue.
“Please report puppy mills, even if you have to do it over and over! Persistence saved these dogs.”
Guardians of Rescue and their rescue partners are facing tremendous expenses, including veterinary care, supplies, medication, housing, and food, in their mission to see that every single dog rescued is given a chance at the life they deserve.
None of the dogs will be available for adoption until the active investigation is completed and all have been vetted and medically cleared.
To follow this breaking story or to donate to rescue efforts, visit www.guardiansofrescue.org.
Deb Lewellen
Jun 22, 2020 at 9:17 pm
This is the Tennessee way, allow puppy mills to flourish and allow suffering and neglect, TENNESSEE THE PUPPY MILL CAPITAL OF THE MID SOUTH, WAY TO GO, BE PROUD OF YOUR DERELICT BEHAVIORS IN FACT YOU SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED SHAME ON YOU Legislators because year after year after year the animal neglect in this state is rampant and you do absolutely nothing to stop it. in fact you allow it to continue on.