Animal Dealers in Wisconsin Surrender 198 DogsAmerican Humane Association The American Humane Association (AHA) and Animal Planet Rescue in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Polk County Department of Health, and the Polk County Sheriff's Department yesterday assisted with the surrender of 198 dogs in Polk County, Wisconsin from unlicensed animal dealers. The dogs, mainly adult and newborn Chihuahuas, were surrendered by the owners Tuesday.  "The dogs were living in horrific conditions, much like a puppy mill, " says Nicholas Gilman, AHA's director of animal programs. "They were confined to the couple's garage and house and were forced to track through their own filth." According to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), licensed dealers are required to provide animals in their care with adequate housing, handling, sanitation, food, water, transportation, veterinary care, and shelter. "I'm happy AHA and Animal Planet are equipped and able to aid the USDA when this sort of animal disaster occurs. It's a shame that these unlicensed dealers kept the animals in these conditions, but it's great that we can step in to help get them the immediate veterinary care they so desperately need," exclaimed Gilman. Gilman also said that thanks to the overwhelming response from Wisconsin animal shelters, most of these animals will be adopted out to new homes in a very short time. AHA, Animal Planet, and the Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies are working with local agencies to create temporary shelter for the animals and providing triage care. The animals will then be transported to Wisconsin animal shelters for adoption to new homes. The Animal Planet Rescue truck, an 80-foot long tractor-trailer, is on hand and will serve as the veterinary clinic and command station and is staffed by AHA. The American Humane Association has been helping animals in disasters since World War I when asked by the US government to form a rescue and ambulance service for injured cavalry horses. The past five years have been among the busiest ever for AHA's emergency animal relief. AHA has rescued animals after every major recent disaster including earthquakes, hurricanes and floods. Last year, AHA, along with Animal Planet Rescue, spent two-and-a-half weeks in North Carolina helping animals caught in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd. This year, AHA has also responded to tornadoes in Georgia and wildfires in Colorado.
For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org |
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