ASPCA: More than 50 dogs removed from puppy mill

WPBN/WGTU — More than 50 dogs were taken from a property in Mio after ASPCA believed it to be a puppy mill.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) field investigators and response team is helping the Osoda County Sheriff's Department and Oscoda County Animal Control with removing more than 50 dogs from a large, substandard, unlicensed breeding facility.

The ASPCA says the dogs range from English Bull Dogs to Schnauzers. The dogs were found living in small wire cages stacked in a crowded, filthy basement in ramshackle outdoor pens.

The ASPCA says most of the dogs did not have access to food or water.

Responders on the scene found many dogs to be unsocialized and fearful when being handled by people.

The ASPCA believes the facility to be a puppy mill, which is a large-scale breeding operation designed to generate profits at the cost of the animal's health and well-being.

"These dogs were living a very sad existence," said Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. "While the puppies at breeding facilities are sold for profit, their parents are often kept there for years, subjected to incessant breeding and typically lacking routine veterinary care and basic socialization, resulting in a very poor quality of life. Our goal is to remove these dogs, help them become healthy, and find them homes once custody is determined by the court."

"We hope this investigation will emphasize that cruelty will not be tolerated in Oscoda County or the surrounding counties," said Andrew Thompson, Oscoda County Animal Control Officer. "We encourage the public to report any suspected cruelty to law enforcement or animal control".

The dogs are being moved to a temporary shelter at an undisclosed location where they will receive medical exams and veterinary care.

The ASPCA responders will care for the dogs at the temporary shelter until their custody is determined by the court. The ASPCA is also collecting forensic evidence and providing legal support to strengthen the case.

Other organizations helping with the sheltering operations include Roscommon County Animal Shelter, Quincy Humane Society in Illinois, Nebraska Human Society, and Animal Rescue foundation in California.

The ASPCA says Michigan is among a minority of states without any regulation of puppy mills.