The owner and a dog caretaker at a Pleasant Garden kennel was ordered to pay over $50,000 to help pay for the care of 98 dogs seized three weeks ago during an investigation.
Judge Angela Foster ruled that Sheila Marie Savage, who owns Rush Kennels, must pay the $50,400.90 bond to help cover the costs of 30 days of care for the dogs. Savage and Robert Landreth, who worked as a dog caretaker there, were charged with seven felony counts of animal abuse and five misdemeanor counts of animal abuse earlier this month..." More & video
Dec 2009: Sheila Rush & family on ABC "Wife Swap"
Additional information on Rush Kennels and North Carolina Puppy Mills on Facebook
Apr 10, 2010: Kennel owner in Guilford charged with animal cruelty
The owner of a Pleasant Garden kennel and an employee have been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty following the seizure of 97 dogs from the business earlier this week.
Sheila Marie Savage, 53, the owner of Rush Kennel, and Robert Landreth, 61, a caretaker, were charged Friday with seven counts of felony animal cruelty and five counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, The News & Record of Greensboro reported.
Late Friday, Landreth was released on a $5,000 bond; Savage posted a $10,000 bond and was released.
Authorities have said more charges are possible as an investigation continues.
"She is resolved to see this through. I feel my client will be vindicated," said Kent Lively, Savage's attorney, as the woman was booked into jail Friday afternoon. "I think she has taken good care of her animals as entrusted to the care of Rush Kennel."
The case comes after a four-month investigation at the facility. It started with a letter from a Pennsylvania couple to the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, according to a search warrant..." More
Apr 8, 2010: 98 Dogs Seized from Pleasant Garden Kennel
According to Sheriff BJ Barnes, the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, animal shelter and animal control had received multiple complaints from people who had purchased dogs from Rush Kennels, located at 6324 Maplewood St.
The complainants said their animals were diagnosed with multiple health problems that, in many cases, resulted in death.
The sheriff's office conducted an undercover investigation into the kennel, purchasing a dog that was then found to have a life-threatening disease and a birth defect, the sheriff's office said. The dog later died of what are believed to be the same diseases and infections others had complained of. Sheriff Barnes says many of the dogs had hook worms, mange and other health problems from neglect and mistreatment.
"There were some that had been over utilized as breeders and actually had parts of their internal organs that were hanging out." Barnes said...
- Feb, 22, 2008: Dog Owner Pays for Purebred Lab, Claims She Got a Mutt
