Oct 10, 2008 9:16 pm US/Central
USDA Considering Action Against Puppy Mill Owner
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Puppies' paws slip through openings in their cage floor at Bauck's puppy mill. She was cited for this in 2006. The USDA said it "could potentially case injury to the legs," and to "correct immediately."
CBS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering taking action to shut down a bad breeder that supplies dogs to pet stores here and across the country.
The 2 Investigators' story Thursday night included videotaped evidence of shocking conditions recorded by an undercover investigator for the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS).
CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman reports the USDA is reviewing all of the CAPS tape and the breeder Kathy Bauck's troubled history.
It is routine practice for Bauck, who owns Pick of the Litter in Minnesota, to dunk her dogs in a tub of water diluted with a toxic insecticide meant for swine. It can damage a dog's eyes and could be fatal if swallowed.
Records show Bauck's routine has also included practicing veterinary medicine without a license, including botching surgeries on dogs.
"We kept getting reports that she was doing c-sections and spay and neuters and docking tails and cropping ears and giving vaccines and other kinds of medications," said Deborah Howard of the Companion Animal Protection Society.
In 2006 Bauck was ordered by the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine to cease and desist the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine. But she didn't.
So last April, Bauck faced similar criminal charges, pleaded guilty to one count and was jailed for five nights.
Video shot by the CAPS investigator has led to animal cruelty charges against her. It shows emaciated dogs, wounded dogs, and sick dogs all in need of a real veterinary care.
"My heart is bleeding for these animals," said Dr. Sheldon Rubin of Blum Animal Hospital.
The 2 Investigators showed the tape Dr. Rubin, who is president of the Illinois Veterinary Medical Association.
"We are going to try to get these puppy mills shut down all over the United States," Rubin said. "I don't mean just here."
Viewers have asked about the dogs in Thursday night's report. Some died. And records show Bauck euthanized others using a method that is not approved by the USDA.
Bauck has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. Her lawyer says the CAPS investigator created evidence and stole records that showed she had consulted with a veterinarian about the sick dogs as required by the USDA.
In August, a month after she was charged, the USDA found no violations at Bauck's farm.
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