A puppy mill in Mt. Vernon, Washington has had hundreds of dogs removed in a two part raid.
Nearly 200 dogs were confiscated from two separate kennels south of Mount Vernon after authorities served search warrants for animal cruelty and neglect, Chief Criminal Deputy Will Reichardt of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office said.
The dogs were mostly Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, poodles and Yorkshire terriers.
There was also a room that was housing about 20 female dogs that were nursing litters of pups.
About 25 volunteers removed about 150 dogs Wednesday that were evaluated to be in need of better care.
Those dogs were taken to a temporary shelter at the Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon or to the homes of volunteers.
Another 40 dogs that were living in small crates, many of which were contaminated with their own feces and urine, were seized from another location on West Big Lake Road, Reichardt said.
The dogs were mostly Australian Shepherds. They are being housed temporarily in private residences of local volunteers until other accommodations can be made.
This is a huge operation, a second raid on the property seizedover 300 more dogs.
The animals had been left behind during an earlier seizure at a home in the 16000 block of Mountain View Road.
Two of the 135 dogs seized in the original warrant have tested positive for a potentially deadly intestinal disorder called coccidia, and three more dogs seized Friday are suspected of being infected with it.
The dogs are being moved to the Skagit Valley Fairgrounds for treatment. Then they will be moved to shelters and foster homes.
Animal control officers are asking that anyone who has purchased a dog from the Mountain View kennel belonging to Richard and Marjorie Sundberg to call the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office as this information may be important to their investigation. Call Animal Control officer JoHannah Deterding at 360-336-9450 or e-mail Officer Deterding at johannad@co.skagit.wa.us
The group Saving Pets One at a Time is helping the dogs. People interested in volunteering or donating can find out how at the group’s site.
Also, the Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic is helping the rescued dogs. They can be reached at phone: 360-757-3722 or e-mail: info@chuckanutvet.com.
