They didn't think this puppy would survive

Описание: When the Animal Rescue Team first found Twitch, they didn't think he would survive. Now, he is thriving in his foster home.

The Humane Society of the United States assisted the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office in rescuing over 100 dogs and puppies in a large-scale alleged cruelty situation at a breeder’s residential property in Hertford County, North Carolina. Orange County Animal Services also assisted on-scene.

Local authorities served a search and seizure warrant on a dilapidated property consisting of a mobile home and several outdoor pens and yards at approximately 9 a.m. Though obscured from view by debris and an overgrown fence line, responders saw generally filthy conditions from the road and could smell feces. The dogs and puppies appeared to suffer from a lack of basic care and were living in unsanitary, hazardous conditions typically seen in severe neglect situations.

A veterinarian immediately noted that many of the dogs appear very thin and some are severely emaciated, with visible ribs and hip bones protruding. Responders noticed dogs eating feces. Several dogs had eye issues and some dogs and puppies had skin conditions characterized by missing hair, open sores and itching.

Rescuers saw multiple litters of nursing puppies throughout the property. A mother dog with matted fur and puppies—so young their eyes have not yet opened—were crated inside the residence, while other nursing litters of similar ages were outdoors in group pens, their mothers watching vigilantly over them.

The assistance of the Humane Society of the United States was requested by the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office after members of the community and individuals who reported buying sick puppies from the breeder raised concerns about the welfare of animals on the property.

Law enforcement, consumer protection agencies and the HSUS receive hundreds of complaints annually from consumers who have bought sick puppies from breeders and pet stores, as detailed in a report released earlier this month by the Humane Society of the United States’ Stop Puppy Mills campaign. These situations underscore the importance of choosing a responsible source when bringing home a new puppy.