Oct 9, 2008 10:41 pm US/Central
Owner Charged For Horrific Puppy Mill Conditions
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
There are deplorable conditions inside a puppy mill that supplies thousands of dogs to pet stores and Internet buyers across the country, including Chicago. CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman reports that an exclusive videotape was recorded in Minnesota by an investigator for the Companion Animal Protection Society, called CAPS.
It's a not-for-profit organization that focuses on exposing abusive conditions in pet stores and puppy mills.
As a breeder operating Pick of the Litter, Kathy Bauck is supposed to comply with all U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations. But she doesn't.
For example, puppies' paws slip through openings in their cage floor. Bauck was cited for this in 2006. The USDA said it "could potentially case injury to the legs," and to "correct immediately."
But Bauck told her staff to only use mats when inspectors are around.
"And the minute she leaves, we pull them up," Bauck said.
Bauck has also been cited for failing to provide "adequate veterinary care" and to "correct immediately."
But the CAPS investigator saw emaciated pregnant mothers, sick puppies, dogs suffering from serious infections and open wounds.
"I just can't hardly sew it up," Bauck said. "It's going to have to heal."
CBS 2 showed the undercover video to an expert.
"There's no question in my mind that this should have gone to a veterinarian and been surgically repaired. That's a huge wound," said Dr. Sheldon Rubin, DVM, Pres., Ill. Veterinary Medical Association.
Deborah Howard heads the Companion Animal Protection Society.
"We receive probably more complaints about her dogs than just about any other breeder or broker in this country," Howard said.
Like the complaint from Brian O'Keefe and his mother Christa. They paid $3,200 for one of Bauck's bulldogs at a Petland store in Niles.
"They guaranteed me a healthy dog," Brian said.
But Samson came home lethargic, urinating blood and required several surgeries, including two for a condition called cherry eyes.
"We're still out $5,500 in medical bills," Christa said.
Then there's Tegan. It took months for her to recover from kennel cough and intestinal parasites after Peggy Lockrey bought the sheltie from Park Pet Shop in Chicago.
"They claimed they went to a very reputable breeder," Lockrey said.
Now Kathy Bauck has been charged with animal cruelty, torture, and unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine.
Among the examples cited, a bulldog with infected gashes in its cheeks. Bauck told the CAPS investigator how to treat the infection.
"All you guys have to do is put a little Clorox water on it," Bauck said.
Experts say that will make the condition worse.
"Clorox is damaging to tissue," Dr. Rubin said.
Another example: dunking dogs in a tub of diluted insecticide normally used for livestock.
The label lists the hazards to humans and domestic animals: "irreversible eye damage," "may be fatal if swallowed," "harmful if absorbed through skin."
"Look, the dog is licking it," Dr. Rubin said. "These are insecticides that are toxic to dogs."
And then there was a bishon who had trouble delivering her puppies.
" and her daughter used forceps or clamps to reach in and try to pull this puppy out of there," Howard said. "She broke off the tail, and broke off one of its rear legs."
For days, the mother laid in her cage, unable to stand on her own – then died.
"There are dogs dying there on a regular basis," Howard said. "Litters of puppies that just die, just like that."
Bauck is still in business. But first the Petland chain and later both pet stores in this report stopped doing business with her. Petland gave the O'Keefe's a refund.
Bauck's attorney says her facility is clean and animals are treated with compassion and care. He said she does consult with a veterinarian. And he charges that the CAPS investigator created situations to portray bad conditions and fabricated evidence.
For more information on breeders and what to look for when you buy a puppy, visit the following websites:
Companion Animal Protection Society:
www.caps-web.org
USDA Animal Care Program:
www.APHIS.usda.gov American Kennel Club -- Puppy buying tips:
www.akc.org/puppybuyerinfo National Humane Society -- Puppy Mill Campaign:
www.stoppuppymills.org/what_you_can_do.html
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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