Aug 11, 2009 5:10 pm US/Eastern
USDA Cites Company For Mishandling Puppies
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Two puppies 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 Missouri company that shipped a truck load of puppies to Massachusetts is accused of animal abuse and has been cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Puppy Ship LLC has been cited for mishandling 27 puppies, which were left in a hot box truck with no ventilation. Many of the animals arrived in Massachusetts dehydrated and sick.
The Worcester Telegram and Gazette reports the USDA is citing Puppy Ship for its handling of the animals and for its lack of veterinary services.
The federal agency now plans to work with Puppy Ship to make sure the company obeys the federal laws.
SICK PUPPIES DELIVERED TO PET SHOPS
The driver of the truck, 44-year-old John Clayton, of Bolivar, Missouri, also faces animal cruelty charges.
The truck load of puppies arrived in Massachusetts early last month when 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. Webster police called the conditions deplorable.
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 Telegram reported last month that the Oxford shop typically gets a delivery of puppies from the company involved in the case, Puppy Ship, every week.
PUPPY SHIP DENIES ALLEGATIONS
The general manager of Puppy Ship, Todd Davis, has denied 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."
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.
The puppies are in the care of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
The Animal Rescue League is accepting donations to help cover the puppies' health care costs. To donate, visit
arlboston.org.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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