Oct 23, 2009 10:42 pm US/Central
Mpls. Animal Control Seizes 30 Shih Tzus From Home
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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Investigators said the woman ran a web site advertising dogs for sale, but she did not have a license to be selling animals.
CBS
Thirty Shi Tzu's are getting the love and attention they need after being removed from a filthy Minneapolis home. The dogs have a range of health problems and look like they have not had any vet care.
Police said the dogs that were cooped up in the home and had never been outside, which explained why the home reeked of urine and feces. Earlier this week, Minneapolis Animal Control served a warrant after neighbors complained about barking and odors.
"It just kind of bothers me that it got that bad and no one was there to help her," said neighbor Dorothea Bruce.
The 74-year-old woman who lived here was not cooperative and had to be put in cuffs as officers removed the 30 dogs.
The dogs were taken to the Minneapolis Animal Control. One had a broken jaw, most had dental and eye problems as well as other medical issues.
One of the dogs named Tara had cloudy eyes, a severe skin condition, her nails had not been clipped in a while and she'd been shaking because she was so frightened.
Investigators said the woman ran a web site advertising dogs for sale, but she did not have a license to be selling animals.
"This is very problematic when people think they're going to make profits off animals and then the animals, as well as the community, suffer from the behavior. I encourage people to think before they think they're going to make money off breeding animals," said Dan Nizolek of Minneapolis Animal Control.
Prosecutors are expected to charge the woman next week with animal cruelty and exceeding the maximum number of animals allowed in one home.
"I don't really think she should be charged. I think she has a problem, some type of issue. There should be some sort of intervention, [someone should] come in and help her to understand why she's doing this and make sure the animals all have good homes," said Bruce.
The homeowner was not licensed to sell animals and also had ten times the legal limit of animals.
The city of Minneapolis only allows a total of three pets per home.
Depending on the investigation, some of the dogs may be up for adoption in a few weeks.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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