2nd Puppy Mill Bust this week

Another puppy mill bust in Canada this week - this time out in British Columbia -

(isn't it heartening to know that there's "no such thing as a puppy mill, only substandard care" - especially when you hear of this type of substandard care - dogs being kept in complete darkness for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.....)

from CTV news:
Almost 60 dogs and cats have been rescued from a suspected puppy mill from a residence in Mission by BC SPCA animal protection officers.

Forty-six Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers, both adults and puppies, along with 12 Persian-type cats and kittens, were rescued on Nov. 28. Some of the puppies were only a few hours old. One adult Rottweiler was also seized.

BC SPCA senior animal protection officer Eileen Drever says the dogs were kept inside tiny, filthy cages littered with urine and excrement.

The neglected animals were suffering ailments including untreated eye and skin infections, gum disease, matted fur and overgrown nails.

A number of the dogs exhibited aggressive behavior.

"It's absolutely disgusting that someone would permit an animal to live in such desperate misery like this," says Drever. "It breaks my heart."

The animals are now under veterinary care, where one of the Chihuahuas gave birth to four puppies over the weekend.

Drever said the SPCA will recommend charges of animal cruelty against the breeder. She cautioned those thinking about buying a puppy from a pet store for Christmas to learn more about where it came from.

"Few pet stores deal with reputable breeders and in fact most deal with breeders such as this one," says Drever. "And when we patronize their stores, we are in fact contributing to, causing and perpetuating the pain and suffering of companion animals."

Last year, the BC SPCA investigated 4,600 complaints.

Another 100 dogs and puppies were rescued from another alleged puppy mill in Meaford, Ont., by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal on Monday night.

from CBC News:
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has seized more than 60 animals from a suspected puppy mill in Mission, B.C.

Animal protection officers with the SPCA said Tuesday the 46 dogs and puppies, along with 15 cats and kittens, were living in deplorable conditions.

The animals suffered from a variety of ailments, including untreated eye, skin and genital infections and dental disease, said Eileen Drever, a senior animal protection officer with the SPCA in B.C.

"Some dogs were kept in crates, forced to live in their own feces and urine [and] were kept in complete darkness," she said.

All of the animals are under veterinary care in the custody of the B.C. SPCA.

Drever said the SPCA will recommend charges of animal cruelty against the breeder, who is being accused of running a puppy mill.

A puppy mill refers to an operation where dogs are continually bred to produce as many animals as possible. It is not illegal in B.C., but animals must be kept in good condition, or breeders can face cruelty charges.

Drever said people who think about buying puppies as Christmas presents should consider where the animals came from and purchase them from reputable breeders.