Saturday, June 18, 2011

Hundreds of dogs seized from Caldwell County kennel

HUDSON — Caldwell County animal control officers seized nearly 300 dogs Thursday from a suspected puppy mill, where some of the animals were already dead.

The director of North Carolina’s chapter of the Humane Society of the United States said some dogs at Mason Creek Kennel had rotting teeth, infected jaws or ears closed from severe infections. Fur was so badly matted on some that their skin had split. Overgrown nails curled into pads on paws. And some females had infected uteruses from frequent breeding.

“They lived their whole lives in cages,” said Kim Alboum. “They’ve never touched carpet, heard a doorbell or a television. They don’t know any of the things that a normal companion animal knows.”

Kennel owner William Thomas Allen, who is confined to a wheelchair, said he depends on others to help him. He said he has two new employees who replaced two others who weren’t doing their job. Despite those problems, he said his dogs are healthy..." More

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