Roane Breeder: Marjorie Dodd

Dec 14, 2009: Animals from Roane County alleged puppy mill all removed

By Anthony Welsch

After six weeks of legal limbo, Roane County agents have seized an additional two dozen dogs from an alleged puppy mill near Midtown.

Monday morning, a judge ruled Marjorie Dodd, 72, must turn over all her remaining animals to the county. Dodd faces a dozen charges, a half dozen for animal cruelty and another half dozen for failure to vaccinate against rabies.

If Dodd is found to have animals again, Johnathan Sanchez, an investigator for the District Attorney's office says her current misdemeanor charges could be upgraded to felony charges.

"They've done a great job today, going back on the property and getting these dogs out, we're tickled with what's gone on," Karen Marquand, of the Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee said..." More & video

Nov 9, 2009: Accused Harriman puppy mill operator charged with cruelty to animals

By Bob Fowler

A woman under investigation for operating a puppy mill has been charged with six counts of animal cruelty after authorities for the third time discovered dogs jammed together in poorly ventilated sheds, jerry-built pens and portable carriers.

Virtually all of the 90 dogs and puppies found on Marjorie Dodd's Poland Hollow Road property in Harriman on Wednesday had health problems ranging from infected jaws to mange to flea infestations, John Sanchez said.

Twenty-eight animals with the most severe health issues were seized, said Sanchez, an investigator with the Roane County District Attorney General's office.

Dodd, 72, has been cited for six counts of animal cruelty. Future charges would be upgraded from misdemeanors to felonies, Sanchez said.

Wednesday's raid by Roane County animal control officers was the third time in two years that authorities have inspected Dodd's property.

Nearly 100 dogs were found there in August 2008, when Dodd was given an "ultimatum" to improve the animals' living conditions, Sanchez said.

Fifteen animals seized then were in such poor condition they had to be euthanized, he said.

Inspectors returned last August and conditions were essentially unchanged, with 149 dogs and puppies there.

Authorities found much the same situation Wednesday, with the animals in "extremely cramped conditions," Sanchez said..." More

Animal control seizes dozens of dogs from Roane puppy mill

Anthony Welsch

Roane County's Animal Shelter is at full capacity, following the seizure of nearly 30 dogs from a suspected puppy mill this week.

In a month, the number of seized animals could nearly triple.

"The inhumane confinement of the animals was just really the worst part," John Griffin, the Director of the shelter in Rockwood, said.

Late Wednesday night, authorities partially broke up a suspected puppy mill near Midtown in the county. Griffin expects the owner of the dogs to face six charges of animal cruelty and another half-dozen charges for not vaccinating dogs against rabies.

"I stand firm and believe that this is the first puppy mill in Roane County," Griffin said.

Thursday morning, 28 of the seized dogs sat in the county's shelter, most of them with mange after living in their own feces for most of their lives.

"Living in the feces, the water was dirty, the food was old," Griffin said.

More than those conditions, Griffin said the ammonia levels at the site were high enough to cause damage to the dogs' respiratory system. Many of the dogs were coughing and showing obvious signs of respiratory distress, Griffin said.

Pictures taken by investigators that went on the raid show 30-40 dogs living in buildings the size of boxcars, with large food dishes and water that, in some cases, had turned green.

In all, they estimate the owner had about 110 dogs. The county only seized 30, because they simply don't have any more room at their shelter. Finding the money for flea treatment and other veterinary costs is another major obstacle.

Some of the dogs have serious conditions like cataracts, broken jaws, open wounds, and even tumors.

After hearing of the case, Thursday afternoon, several groups came to give the dogs some much needed TLC.

"Someone who would do something like this to innocent animals who have no voices to protect themselves, to speak out for help, they don't need to ever own another animal again," Sherrie Farver with Little Paws Canine Rescue said..." More & video