Jul 9, 2009 7:58 pm US/Eastern
Puppies Found Living In Filth In Delivery Truck
WEBSTER (WBZ) ―
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Two dogs were crammed into a tiny cage in the back of the truck.
Webster Health Department
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John Clayton faces charges of animal cruelty.
WBZ
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Officials say the puppies were found in deplorable conditons and that there was a strong odor and many flies in the truck.
WBZ
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Some of the dogs were alone in the cages when they were found.
Webster Health Department
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Investigators believe there were 51 dogs in the truck.
Webster Health Department
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Two more dogs were crammed into a tiny cage in the back of the truck.
Webster Health Department
A truck driver from Missouri is facing charges of animal cruelty in central Massachusetts.
Webster police say 44-year-old John Clayton of Bolivar, Missouri had 51 puppies living in deplorable conditions in his truck as he delivered them to pet stores in the area.
"The smell was horrific. There was a swarm of flies," said Webster police Sgt. Michaela Kelley. "I could see puppies in their cages that were very sick."
TIP LEADS TO DISCOVERY
Officers received a tip Wednesday afternoon as Clayton dropped off 10 weak and sick puppies to Elite Puppies on Main Street in Webster.
The dogs had been transported in tiny cages and were surrounded by waste.
"The operator of the truck said he had left Missouri on Monday, and that the puppies had not been out of the cages since then," Sgt. Kelley said.
As police searched the truck, they learned there had been 51 puppies in all at the beginning of the trip.
"There was a very strong odor of dirty dog, feces in that truck," said MSPCA Officer Christine Allenberg. "The animals were extremely dehydrated."
Officials seized 27 puppies from inside the truck.
At least nine puppies had been dropped off earlier in the day at Laughlin Kennel in Oxford. The Worcester Telegram reports the Oxford shop typically gets a delivery of puppies from the company involved in the case, Puppy Ship, every week.
Investigators are trying to account for the rest of the puppies, which may have been dropped off at other pet shops and kennels.
PUPPY SHIP DENIES ALLEGATIONS
The Department of Agriculture will inspect the pet stores. WBZ's calls to Elite Puppies were not returned Thursday.
The deliveries were for a company called Puppy Ship out of Missouri. The general manager of Puppy Ship, Todd Davis, denies the allegations.
"That truck was inspected Monday by the USDA," Davis said. "The truck is cleaned periodically. Obviously the dogs are well taken care of. There are guidelines with regard to everything from food and water and temperature."
Clayton was arraigned Thursday in Dudley District Court. He made bail and is scheduled to be back in court on Aug. 2.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Eventually the puppies will be made available for adoption, but not immediately. They are considered evidence in the case and won't be made available for adoption until court proceedings play out, officials tell WBZ.
Many of the puppies are still recovering from health issues. They are in the care of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
Both the Animal Rescue League and the MSPCA are accepting donations to help cover the puppies' health care costs. To donate,
visit arlboston.org or
mspca.org/webster.
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