Police seize 48 yellow labs from Western Wisconsin puppy mill

Dogs kept in travel crates without food/water

ELMWOOD, Wis. — Authorities seized 48 yellow Labrador retrievers from an unlicensed breeding facility in western Wisconsin. 

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) seized seized 35 adults and 13 puppies. They were discovered living indoors in small, filthy travel crates with no access to food or water.

Numerous dead animals also were found on the property. 

The ASPCA believes the facility to be a puppy mill or a large-scale breeding operation designed to generate profits at the cost of the animals’ health and well-being.

“What we saw here is no way for a dog to live,” director of investigations for ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Kathryn Destreza said. “(What) many people don’t realize that their parents are often kept there for years, subjected to incessant breeding and usually lacking basic care and socialization, resulting in a very poor quality of life.”

The owner of the facility was booked into the Pierce County Jail for mistreatment of animals, not providing proper food to confined animals and improper animal sheltering.

“Large scale animal cruelty cases are not something that we encounter often here in Pierce County,” Pierce County Sheriff Nancy Hove said. “When we are made aware of any animal cruelty issues we do the best we can to investigate and hold accountable those responsible.”

Hove said the case started with a complaint from someone who noticed the animals and was appalled by the conditions.

“Deputies responded to the complaint and determined the allegations had merit,” Hove continued. “

The dogs were transferred to the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, Minn. Officials say the dogs are considered evidence and will be cared for by the Humane Society until a court determines their custody.