Puppy Buying Guide

Well, it appears that nearly all of the dogs that were seized from the Tucson triple-wide last week have found new homes.  Thank you to all who provided homes as well as to all who offered to provide homes for these animals.

The Arizona Humane Society reported that after the news reports were released regarding the rescue of the dogs, hundreds of people showed up at the Southern Arizona Humane Society premises in the hopes of adopting one of the dogs.  Apparently, emotions were running high as some shoving matches broke out while waiting in line.  The sheriff’s department had to be called to clear out the mob of people and the Humane Society location closed it’s doors in order to organize and prepare for the following day.  They did reopen the following day and 500 people lined up to await the possibility of adopting one of the rescued dogs.

The Humane Society also reported that they received offers of adoption from individuals all across the nation as well as from Germany and Australia.

I am happy to hear about the animals that have found loving homes after being rescued from, what I call, a puppy mill.  It does appear, however, that no charges will be filed against the individuals.  I don’t quite understand how this can happen when they were not just hording the dogs but also selling the dogs.  To me, this sounds like a puppy mill and some action should be taken against the couple.  This isn’t an elderly couple who loved dogs and got overwhelmed with 20 or so animals (which is still a lot).  This is a couple who had 800…..I’ll say it again….EIGHT HUNDRED dogs and had the authorities not rescued the dogs, they would have had over 800 dogs within a day or two as dogs were GIVING BIRTH on the way to the shelter!  This is inexcusable and something should be done.

What are your thoughts?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

Monday March 10 and Wednesday March 12, Animal Welfare officials, with the assistance of the Pima County Sheriff’s deputies, removed about 800 dogs from a triple-wide mobile home. Among the breeds rescued were Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Chinese Cresteds, Lhasa Apsos and other terrier breeds.

Some of the dogs were pregnant and began giving birth during their transport to various shelters in Tucson. Some of the other dogs were missing paws from animal attacks as well as getting their feet caught in the outside fencing. The elderly couple who lived in the mobile home claimed they just got overwhelmed trying to take care of all the animals, however, they were breeding and offering dogs for sale.

It makes you wonder how they were selling these animals. First, the dogs roamed freely throughout the home and property. Their was no controlled breeding being done. It is unclear how they were able to properly feed 800 dogs and who knows what type of diseases, illnesses and genetic defects the dogs would end up having. According to a spokesperson for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, “The home was definitely in very bad condition, urine and feces all over the home, in the kitchen and bedroom, with a very strong odor”.

Yet, these dogs were being offered for sale. As a matter of fact, this operation was reported by a woman who purchased a Chihuahua at the home.

According to news reports, no charges have yet been filed, but authorities are continuing to investigate.

I am appalled at this case, however, it is just one more reason why those who are looking for a puppy for sale need to perform their due diligence when choosing a breeder. The individuals who purchased puppies from this couple have no idea of the lineage of the puppy they received, the type of inbreeding that occurred and what type of health issues will present themselves later in the pup’s life.