On July 15, 2008, on my son Max's birthday, we bought a puppy named Maggie Moo from a breeder. While we were at the breeder's we noticed several dogs that looked like they could use medical attention. We also noticed puppies being held in rabbit hutches. This was a puppy mill. This breeder was recommended to me by a friend so I was very surprised at the condition of the family pets. We adopted Maggie because she was just so cute and we didn't want to leave her there. During the 24 hours we had Maggie, she became very sick. She lost her sight, started having seizures and was stumbling around. My veterinarian didn't think she'd live through the day. Max and I were devastated as we had fallen in love with the little girl. It was a very hard, but we made the decision to give Maggie back to the breeder as the vet didn't think she would ever be completely healthy again.
They believe that Maggie got into some kind of toxic chemical, possibly the medication the breeder used to worm her horses.
My friends, Ed Angelo, Liz Facenda and I all started trying to report the breeder to the authorities. It took us almost 2 weeks to get someone to even call us back.
I was online and found a site that's mission is to stop puppy mills and the cruelty that goes on there. On 7/24 a toll-free number was put into action. Ed Angelo and I both called and reported the breeder. On 7/25 Ed and I both received a call from the department of Dog Law Enforcement. I was asked to make a written statement, which I did immediately and faxed to them.
I just found out today that on 7/28, 17 dogs were surrendered by the owner to the Chester County SPCA, including Maggie Moo. At the last inquiry made by the Enforcement Agency, all of the dogs were doing great and were well on the road to recovery. The owner received citations for violations, vet care was ordered on the dogs that were not surrendered and the enforcement office has gained compliance for those violations as of this date. They will periodically check this property to ensure that this does not happen again in the future.
It is my prayer that Maggie Moo will find a loving home and get adopted right away. I sent a note of thanks to the woman at the agency and got this note in return:
Susan,
The puppy you had was doing just great last update I had. If not for your and Ed's efforts we would not be able to do our jobs. So many people don't want to get involved and make that crucial phone call. 17 dogs lives changed for the better due to your help and we thank you for that.
This story has a happy ending for Max as well. A friend found us another puppy to help heal Max's broken heart. His name is JJ and he is a love! Max still feels very sad about Maggie but is much relieved that she is no longer being kept at the puppy mill.
A lot of you have already seen pictures of JJ, but if you haven't, here he is:
Not a great picture as the little guy won't stay still for more than two seconds at a time!
The agency announced the launch Thursday of a 24-hour new hotline (1-877-DOG-TIP1) for the public to report problems in kennels.
If you live in the PA area, please plan to attend Puppymill Awareness Day.
Time: September 20, 2008 from 11am to 5pm
Location: Lancaster Community Park, Lancaster, PA.
Website or Map: http://www.awarenessday.org
Event Type: Awareness, Event
Susan Mangigian, West Chester PA Realtor RE/MAX Preferred, ABR — Search for homes
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What cute pics. Thats crazy. Thankfully those dogs will be out of harms way!