Animal Cruelty: 92 Puppy Mill Dogs Abandoned on Texas Road

Sadly, the media across the country has brought to light yet another instance of animal cruelty associated with puppy mills.  News broke recently that 51 Maltese mix breeds were abandoned by the side of a road in Flower Mound, Texas, along with 41 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that were left 15 miles away (also by the side of road) in North Denton County on Tuesday, October 4th.

According to both the Flower Mound Police Department and the North Denton County Sherriff’s Office, concerned citizens called in to report the dogs. In the case of the Cavaliers, a neighborhood resident heard barking and drove out to investigate the disturbance, where she found a large group of the pups huddled together by the side of the road. Soon after, she returned home and telephoned the Sheriff's office. Sgt. Roger Griggs of the Denton County Sheriff's Department reported that neighborhood residents helped the two-man police team round up the dogs so that they could be kenneled together until representatives from The Humane Society of North Texas in Fort Worth (HSNT) could drive the 45 miles to the site.

According to the HSNT representatives and Flower Mound Animal Services, both groups of dogs were covered in feces and mud. 

Flower Mound authorities reported that the Maltese mixes ages one to 10 years of age seemed in fairly good health. Captain Richard Brooks of the Flower Mound Police reported that “although the dogs were dirty and needed to be shaved, they seem to be in good health except for some sores [and] are still receiving veterinary care.”

Operations Manager of HSNT, Tammy Hawley, explained that the Cavaliers, approximately ages three to 10 years, “had so much feces on their coats that it was, in some cases, three times as long as their ears.”  Overall, the filthy conditions they lived in have led to damaging health issues. Additionally, some dogs showed signs of ailments from over-breeding.

"Even with all of their health problems, the Cavaliers are sweet and friendly," says Hawley.

Humane and law enforcement officials think that the dumping of these dogs is a response to the September 1, 2012 effective date for commercial dog and cat breeders covered by the Dog and Cat Breeders Act to register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Now, dog and cat breeders are required to register with TDLR when they have 11 or more breeding females or sell 20 or more puppies and kittens during a 12-month period. Additionally, pre-licensing requirements includes onsite inspection.

Although some people have contacted the shelter faulting this new puppy mill law for the dumping of these dogs, Tammy Hawley said that the new law didn't cause the particular problem, but exposed it.

Furthermore, Denton County’s Sgt. Roger Briggs, who has experience with puppy mill operators, noted that law enforcement officials in both locales are working closely together and that there are leads in the case.

In the meantime, both sets of dogs are receiving the medical and social support they need to prepare for the next stage of their lives: adoption. Kathy Sturgeon, Texas Coordinator for Cavalier Rescue USA, and her volunteers are helping to clean up the dogs in Denton County and aiding in the screening process of potential adopters so that animal lovers will understand the unique needs of the breed. 

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