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Loading...79 Dogs Seized From Illegal Manitoba Breeding Operation
A January 24 raid in West St. Paul, Manitoba resulted in 79 sick and mistreated dogs being taken into custody, the Winniepeg Free Press reports. The residence, on the northern outskirts of Winnipeg, was the site of a backyard breeding operation, with the dogs living in crowded conditions in a large barn. The dogs were crowded into metal cages, three in each one. A number of breeding and animal cruelty laws were violated in the operation.
The raid came as a result of complaints from neighbors about the deplorable conditions the dogs were living in. When the dogs were taken into custody, many had a host of health problems, including gum disease and fleas. Almost all were thin, covered in feces and had been receiving no exercise.
Last week, the deadline for appeal of the seizure was reached. Since the owner chose not to file one (presumably to avoid any more bad publicity), the dogs officially passed into provincial custody and, through long-standing agreements, were moved to different shelters for veterinary care and eventual adoption. Ten moved to a no-kill shelter in Darcy. The rest are at the Winnipeg Humane Society.
None of the dogs have had to be euthanized. One dog has given birth to puppies, with two more still expecting. All need to be observed for temperament and emotional trauma before they can be considered for adoption. All dogs, adults and puppies, will be spayed and neutered as well.
Though there’s no set schedule, the dogs will become available for adoption a few at a time over the coming weeks. On their Facebook page, the Winnipeg Humane Society suggests potential adopters interested in a dog from the seizure fill out the adoption form as soon as possible. Due to the number of dogs and different medical conditions they are treating, it is impossible to say in advance how many dogs will become available for adoption on a given day. Adoption forms can be found here.
That concludes the breaking news portion of the article. At this point, I’d like to hop up on my soapbox. My family includes two WHS adoptees. Maxwell (tri-colour, top picture) came from a seizure much like this one, though smaller in scale. He’s not a purebred beagle, but probably his parents were close enough that someone thought they could make some good money with a breeding operation. We have precious little information about what this place was like, other than the physical and emotional scars.
I usually avoid using the term “rescue” with reference to my adoptions. I feel it gives me undue credit. I’m not a hero, sweeping in to save the day with no thought to personal gain. I’m not a martyr, taking in a defective dog out of pity. I get far more out of the relationship than Maxwell does (who is, I’ll add, far from defective).
Having said that, Maxwell certainly was rescued — by the Humane Society. His early life was hell. His sister, who was adopted by another family member, is missing a part of her ear, apparently from frostbite. Maxwell himself remains extremely timid around strangers. What people did to him for his first six months left him with a persistent fear of anything that walks on two legs.
But there’s no point in denouncing the individuals who run these operations. They obviously have no concern about animal suffering and won’t be easily made to feel guilty. Our target has to be the people who keep them in business. Kids and kid-like parents who impulsively buy animals without thinking through the responsibility. People who think of dogs as trendy toys, and want one that looks a certain way instead of one whose emotional and physical needs match up with the family.
Adopt from a shelter, not a breeder — especially backyard breeders or puppy mill operations that mistreat their animals. Not from a pet store, which amounts to the same thing. If you do this, I don’t even have to remind you to spay or neuter your pets, since shelters will do this automatically before allowing any animal to be adopted.
Perhaps more importantly, tell your friends and family how you feel about this issue. Let them know the right way to adopt an animal. The people who keep these kinds of facilities in business aren’t outwardly malicious, but they’re clueless about the effects of their consumer actions. Help them to do better by educating them on the topic.
Related stories:
Read more: animal cruelty, animal rights, animal welfare, backyard breeding, education, ethical consumerism, puppy mills, purebreds, rescue dogs, shelter dogs, social justice
Photo credit: Vanessa Cruz-Gochez
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NO! NO! NO! NO!
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+ add your ownWHO are the scum that perpetrated these atrocities? If it were people involved, especially in Canada, this kind of perverse action would lead to life imprisonment. Why don't people get that animals are 'people' too and deserve every right that we do (within reason of course!)? It just makes me sick. I just can't see any value at all for the so-called businessmen who seemed to think milling dogs would gain them a profit. Could these people be serial-killers in the making? I hope they are never allowed to live free.
Why cant every backyard commercial breeding (or puppy mill) be demanded that all dogs have clean kennels (not cages), vet care, social interaction and dogs that are not breed continuously eihter. REALLY better inspection, consequences for selling a sick puppy (would trigger fines severely) and not to make commercial breeding profitable. Smaller more distinguished breeding would be incouraged. Dogs are not agricultural animals to breed (sick) orlackof care.
Please make conscious consumerism part of your life, for EVERY purchase you bring into your home.
good news
good news
Puppy mills and the like make mefume,these vile cash chasers make hand over fist easy cash at the health and safety of the poor dogs .And the monsters breeding them dont and wont give them a meal water ,walks ,or any attention.The way those traders think is we can always get more dogs ,why pay for when they die EVENTUALLY and they paid their way while alive.The laws are as wrong as the culprits, If I lived near I really would complain ,complain ,complain.And try to free the dogs so many at a time ,the worst cases and the vunrable.I would take a little food to them as too much would make them poo more or be sick.When their have to lie in it why make life even worse for them.And I BET HE CAN STILL BREED even more dogs till there die.Scum like him should be put inside for years.To me these days the worse scum treat animals ,the less punishment their receive...again the animal always looses out.And their are the more honest, loving,devoted,caring,creatures we could ever wish for UNLIKE MAN!
A piece of good news but please no more animal left unattended
A campaign must be launched directed especially to politicians, STRESSING THE TIES OF ANIMAL ABUSE, CRUELTY AND VIOLENCE ESCALATING TO HUMANS. This is especially true in the treatment of animals of burden, and those raised for food, company animals and those in the entertainment. If law makers do not care about the animals they should consider that ANIMAL ABUSERS (INCLUDING HUNTERS) sooner than later abuse spouses, children the elderly and finally kill humans as well.
Puppy and kitty mills are abusive and cruel. A campaign must be launched, directed especially to politicians STRESSING THE TIES OF ANIMAL ABUSE AND VIOLENCE AGAINST HUMANS. If they do not care about the animals, then stress the fact that animal abusers sooner than later abuse children, spouses, the elderly and finally kill other humans. This is especially true with animals of burden and raised for food or used in entertainment.
I am glad these 79 dogs were rescued. At least now they have a chance at a healthy, happier life with someone who will love them. I hope they all find forever homes as soon as possible!!!
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