Scotlund's Blog
A Half Century of Suffering Ends
Warren County, TN Puppy Mill
I always know when I’m close to a puppy mill because I can literally smell the suffering, but the puppy mill epidemic is a sly one. I estimate there is a puppy mill within 20 miles of every American home but deception keeps them hidden and ignorance perpetuates the suffering. As is the case with most puppy mills, the entrance of the Warren County, Tennessee mill was well disguised at the end of a heavily wooded road in rural area, topped with an endearing “Welcome” sign and a flowery façade. However, all you have to do is pull back the curtain and the decay and suffering are revealed.
Once down the typically long driveway, I immediately started to see the signs of hell. In this case, 50 years of dilapidated hell. Dozens of feces-encrusted structures were scattered throughout the property with no thoughtful design. Enclosures that had been carelessly constructed throughout the decades of this mill’s operation were crowded around barns and cramped into the middle of the yard. Space had been roughly carved into the thick surrounding woods for the crumbling wood and wire hutches that teetered precariously over slow-moving water – a breeding ground for disease. The basement, where the majority of the nursing mothers and puppies were kept, was a showroom – the only area prospective buyers were allowed. The suffering that was so blatant outside was better hidden here, though the high ammonia levels were so dangerous we were not allowed to enter until it had been aired out by a Hazmat team.
Freeing Celie from the Cage
It was 3:30 p.m. on March 29 when we came to free animals from these cells that had represented the entire world for so many dogs for so many years. Like most puppy mills we raid, we weren’t sure of the exact number of dogs we were going to find. As the team assessed the situation, we tore away sheets of plastic that had been stapled to the rusted, filthy rabbit hutches and quickly estimated that more than 100 dogs were languishing behind the opaque curtains. In total, there were 121 dogs living in misery and 7 others who were recently deceased. One young pup had actually been using two of his dead cage mates as a blanket.
Dogs living outside had no access to edible food and any water available had long-since turned green. We knew underlying conditions would be found once a veterinarian examined these dogs. Many appeared 20 pounds heavier than they really were – their emaciated bodies hidden under their matted fur. One Maltese, as seen in the photo, wagged her tail and showed an eagerness to be in my arms as I opened her cage door. I smiled and spoke to her but she would not come to me. I reached far back into her filthy cage and when I shined my flashlight on her I realized her fur had matted to the wire floor. The innocent prisoner literally stuck in her cell for who knows how long licked at my hands as I spent the next few minutes carefully cutting her out. I lifted the six year old we would later name Celie out into the fresh air and she clung to me, so ready to forgive what humans had done to her and so ready to finally be a dog.
Inside the house, dogs’ eyes were filmy and burned from living in the high levels of toxicity for years on end. The amount of cruelty was immeasurable, but by 2 a.m. on March 30, 121 dogs and 5 exotic birds were given the promise that they would suffer no more.
We saved 126 lives that day, but it is the support of law enforcement that keeps more animals from suffering in the future. The District Attorney of Warren County was quick to respond when we informed them of the situation a week prior to our joint-effort rescue. Their office didn’t hesitate to mobilize resources because of their intolerance to cruelty in their community. It is only because of their dedication to justice that we are able to do what we do.
This rescue called for a focused effort from all ARC personnel but it would not have been possible without the weeks of preparation and follow-through expertly handled by Tennessee State Liaison Peg Petrelli and Intake Officer Lorie Van Olst. We also couldn’t have done what we did without the support of rescue partners, generous donors and committed volunteers. The city of Nashville and beyond in the Volunteer State showed true compassion to those who had never known compassion before. Hundreds of people put their lives on hold in order to care for these animals – to clean a cage, provide some food, give a bath or simply extend a loving hand. Please see our soon to be published “Thank You” list for more individuals who deserve recognition.
Click for Video of ARC Rescue & Emergency Shelter
Once out of the mill, the animals were immediately placed in ARC’s Emergency Shelter located at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds, where three primary programs were implemented: first, veterinarians and their technicians addressed both critical injuries as well as general health needs; second, groomers removed inches of feces matted and flea infested fur; and third, volunteers provided quality socialization time so that every dog was held and given human affection several times a day. It was the first time these dogs had experienced even this basic care.
Four dogs and the birds remain in state’s custody until a second custody hearing April 15. The rest of the 117 were awarded to ARC and then given to our rescue partners in order to start a new life: New Leash on Life, Snooty Giggles, Agape, Nashville Humane Association and Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee, who received Celie. Celie will be spayed and receive further vetting this week, then will be fostered with them for the next month before she is put up for adoption.
Celie is bounding down the road to recovery but there are millions more dogs who need our help. This is a story of just one puppy mill – one mill out of an estimated 15,000 in the United States. The puppies, products of misery and greed, are sold online, the conditions of their birth misrepresented by deceitful photographs. They are also advertised through carefully worded classifieds and in pet stores – always sold far from view of their suffering mothers. Animal Rescue Corps was designed to focus on rescuing lives from industries that profit from cruelty. We will not stop until every single one of them is revealed for what they truly are and extinguished.
18 Responses to “A Half Century of Suffering Ends”
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I love this organization and the work they do. The most wonderful thing I could imagine would be to devote all my time to this type of work. I’ve had few better days in my life than the one I was able to spend with them at the Nashville Fairgrounds. As Scotlund mentioned in his blog, I was amazed by how willing these dogs were to forgive human beings and how eager they were to be loved by people! Thank you for coming to their rescue!!
Scotlund,
It was an honor working with you and the entire ARC team, and I am looking forward to working with you again in this fight to end animal suffering. Thanks for all you do for the voiceless and the helpless. You are a light in a dark world!
You are amazing amazing wonderful people. Thank you for your dedication. You are doing a wonderful thing! Thank you so much for being good people.
Thanks for all you do, Scotlund, Tim, Elaine, Lori, Marcel, Peg, And so many others. Thanks for caring and for doing and for inspiring!
As the mama of two puppy mill rescued chihuahuas I want to thank you for rescuing these babies. One of mine, Henry, passed away after me having him only a year. He had suffered so much neglect and malnourishment he had severe health problems. But I can say his last year on earth was his best because he was truly able to be a dog instead of caged away suffering. so thank you for freeing these animals and allowing them to be loved the way they all deserve to be!
Pictures & video of this rescue made it such an emotional, personal experience for those of us back home. I was especially impressed with the wonderful images of post-rescue care delivered by people united by kindness. I differ with your assessment of this rescue in one respect though: You acknowlege all of the people who put their lives on hold whereas I value them as the people who put their lives in motion. Best always, Georgette
Thank you for shining a spotlight on the abuse of puppy mills. You’re right that ignorance perpetuates the suffering, “ignorance” meaning “not knowing.” Abusers rely on the cover of darkness to keep their operations secret and hidden from view.
The overwhelming support from the community was most gratifying. I’d like to thank Warren County law enforcement officials and the District Attorney for pursuing this case. Their leadership serves as an example to communities everywhere. And I’d like to extend a special thank you to the rescuers’ families – the husbands, wives, children and others – who not only took over all family and household responsibilities in your absence, but also sacrificed their time with you to help these precious animals.
I hope ARC shuts down every puppy mill on the continent and beyond.
I don’t know how such a logistic nightmare could be carried off! My God, I encounter a dozen obstacles when doing even simple tasks, so handling the minute details of the puppy mill rescue is an accomplishment beyond my wildest dreams.
Talk about perseverance! How in the world did you ever believe you could do it? People and dogs have to eat and drink and sleep somewhere. You need medicine and water and transportation and communication. There are public relations matters to tend to, financial and legal issues, and volunteers to oversee. Dogs and people need showers and bathrooms and laundry facilities, restaurants and hotels, first aid, veterinarians, garbage pickup, and partner organizations to take the dogs after initial evaluation. So much paperwork, budgets, conversations, policy and procedure manuals …
I’m astounded by the throngs of people ARC found to help; I read that many volunteers had to be turned away! And for every person physically at the rescue site, families at home were sacrificing too: kids managing without complaint while moms and dads worked miles and miles away, spouses chipping in with their partner’s household chores, siblings and neighbors babysitting, chauffeuring, cooking, and cleaning so someone else could save the dogs.
Now that ARC has momentum, the next mission should be easier. Congratulations Scotlund, Marcel, Tim, Karla, Elaine, Kristina, Peg, Mo, Michael, Lori, Michele, Guy, Ady, Patty, and everyone else who contributed.
JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS,MY COUSIN WAS THE 1 WHO NOTIFIED THE A.R.C ABOUT THE PUPPY MILL & YET I HAVNT SEEN ANYONE THANK HER BUT I DO EVERYDAY & REMIND HER SHE IS THE HERO IN ALL THIS.
Thank you Tracy and your cousin. There are many, many quiet heroes who can never be named, and your cousin is among those. Your cousin was a “whistle-blower” I gather, who bravely spoke up to protect the precious animals. If others learn from her example and speak up, puppy-mills will be eradicated.
I understand too that you and she don’t expect praise, but you want folks to know that behind-the-scenes support is key to the success of such an endeavor. It does take a village.
Tracy, please, please extend my heartfelt thanks to your cousin for speaking out on behalf of the puppy mill dogs. I don’t know who your cousin is personally, but I suspect it’s ARC’s standard operating procedure to keep the names of people who report abuse confidential for their own protection. I believe most law enforcement agencies guarantee that people who report crimes can remain anonymous if they so choose, and thereby not risk retribution.
The fact that we don’t know who your cousin is does not diminish her heroism or our appreciation of her in any way. In fact, I think the fact that she did all this anonymously makes her contribution all the more praiseworthy. You must be so very proud of her! Thank you also for your support, Tracy. ♥
Dear Tracy,
It is the policy and standard operating procedure of Animal Rescue Corps to never divulge information about a confidential informant. It is also typically a directive from the law enforcement agency to never publicly reveal this information, as it was in this case as well.
Failing to publically acknowledge a confidential informant is not from any lack of appreciation but rather out of a concern for the safety of an informant who has to remain and live in the community and often not to jeopardize other investigations of which that informant may also be contributing information.
Everyone at Animal Rescue Corps, our partners, volunteers, supporters, and beyond are grateful to your cousin for bringing the initial information about this case forward. I know that President Scotlund Haisley and TN State Liaison Peg Petrelli have been in regular contact with your cousin, expressing our collective gratitude and sharing updates on the case as we were permitted by law enforcement.
I hope this helps to clarify our actions and to reassure you and your cousin of our gratitude.
Thank you and best regards,
Tim Woodward
Director of Operations
Animal Rescue Corps
Scotlund…thank you on behalf of all these poor little prisoners. When I saw Michael carrying out that little papillon, I just could not get her out of my mind. She haunted me for days. I started to track her whereabouts, with Michael and Peg’s help, made the application to adopt her and she is on her way to Toronto, Ontario on April 27th to a new life. She will never be caged again, will always have food, vet care, toys, fun, freedom, care and compassion. If we each just reached out for one, rehoming would be quickly solved. It was absolutely serendipitous the way she wound up in my life. I can hardly wait to see her…it seems a very long time to April 27th. I have tentatively named her Freedom as a reminder of her heritage and my obligation to her to always care for and protect her in the future. Thanks again everyone.
A big Thank You to ARC for saving these sweet babies. Thank you also, to all the volunteers at the Nashville Fairgrounds. I tried to volunteer but was turned away due to the large volume of people there to help. It makes me very proud to see the overwhelming support for these animals.
[...] County, TN Puppy Mill Animal Rescue Corps By Scotlund [...]
Scotlund you are THE BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Scotlund…it was an honor to get to volunteer with your organization with the Warren Co Puppy Mill Raid. I worked daily at the fairgrounds. I adopted a male maltese (his name y’all gave him was Jack, I renamed him Gizmo)and was told that he was the one in the cage with the two dead dogs, trying to stay warm next to them. I want you to know he is my heart now and is quickly becoming very spoiled. He sleeps in bed with me, and he is very fond of my favorite goose down pillow. So, it’s his now. He eats very good dry dog food, and every morning I bake a sweet potatoe to mix with his food. He has a wonderful fenced in back yard to run and play in now. I also have 3 other maltese that are all rescue dogs and he loves his new pack. They play very well and he has adjusted beautifully. I can’t thank you enough for rescueing these little dogs. They all deserve the best after the life they had!I am ready and on call if you ever need my help again!
I will never in a life time know how anyone could do what they do to these innocents. This to me shows that these people have no morals, and just don’t care if they abuse or even kill others.
I have two puppy mill dogs and I know they must have been so much pain and suffering. They still show the suffering because it is hard for them to trust but at least they are safe.
I would love to see each and every puppy mill shut down and a law where no dogs or cats could be sold ever again. The amount of dogs and cats being killed daily just because there are to many is mind blowing and down right WRONG!
Thank you for the work that you do for these innocents!