Hundreds of dogs seized in puppy mill bust, WA
Source: NWCN.com, May 27, 2009
KENNEWICK, Wash. – Benton County sheriff’s deputies seized more than 300 American Eskimo dogs living in “deplorable” conditions in a Kennewick home Wednesday morning, reports the Tri-City Herald.
Officials raided the house of Ella Stewart, 66, who runs Sun Valley Kennel out of her home and breeds toy American Eskimos, around 8:30 a.m. Stewart was arrested May 12th after a deputy discovered the conditions of the breeding kennel while responding to an unrelated call at a neighbor’s home.
The Tri-City Herald reports the dogs weren’t immediately recovered because the county had no where to put them. A large group of volunteers from various animal rescue groups set up kennels at the Benton County Fairgrounds. On Wednesday, they helping transport the dogs from the home to the kennel. Each dog will be photographed and its health checked.
A PetSmart charity donated food and other dog supplies and transported the goods in its “Emergency Relif Waggin.”
Stewart has pleaded not guilty to one count of second-degree animal cruelty. She’ll return to Benton County District Court next week.
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