Source: http://www.washtimesherald.com/local/local_story_047123643.html/resources_printstory
By Patricia Morrison
— Sheriff’s deputies have investigated reports of a puppy
mill in the Odon area and found the charges unfounded.
Their investigation
found that John Graber currently owns the operation, not Leroy Graber who was
listed as owner in the initial police complaint.
A woman looking to buy a
French bulldog puppy reported to sheriff’s deputies Tuesday the owner would not
let her into the kennel, but brought the puppies out one at a time. She said the
some puppies were covered in feces and another dog had a hernia at the incision
site of a C-section.
Deputies investigating the complaint on Tuesday were
denied access to the building.
An Odon veterinarian accompanied Detective
Bill Dougherty on Thursday for an inspection of the premises at 900E 875N.
Pictures were taken of the facilities as well as the animals within. Dougherty
said the owner told him he did not allow persons in the kennel building for fear
of the spread of disease among the many animals. He preferred to bring the
puppies out for inspection by potential buyers one at a time.
“Everything
looked good in there. It was clean,” Dougherty said of the kennels. “They (the
puppies) were fat balls of fur. I fell in love out there yesterday.”
Graber
said this morning he had been very upset by the original complaint as he said he
had nothing to hide.
“I wouldn’t let her go in here,” Graber said. “I don’t
want to spread disease.”
The original complainant said there were no windows
in the building and more than 100 dogs.
On Thursday, the detective and local
veterinarian found there were about 65 dogs in the building and food and water
was plentiful. According to Dougherty’s report there were no more than three
small dogs to a kennel and one or two medium-sized dogs per kennel. There are
windows on three of the four walls and doors on two walls. All dogs were kept in
7-foot by 2-1/2-foot runs with a concrete pad in the center with hot water
radiator heat keeping that warm. There was wire mesh on the sides for waste.
Dougherty said the dogs had access to continuous water and the food dishes were
all full.
The dog reported to have a hernia, was inspected by the
veterinarian who said it was a very common thing and was on no concern. The
veterinarian said all the dogs were in excellent health. He also conferred with
a Washington veterinarian.
Graber had advertised the dogs for sale as he is
trying to reduce the number of animals since he is going out of business.
“I
have nice kennels and nice dogs,” Graber said of the 12 breeds he has, all small
or medium-size dogs. “Anyone interested in buying a dog or the whole operation
should contact me.”
The state Board of Animal Health was contacted, but said
the state currently does not have requirements for kennels to be licensed and
inspected. The federal Department of Agriculture Animal Care Regional Division
in Raleigh, N.C., was then called and they said a USDA license is not required
for retail sales.
Graber has agreed to let officers come in and inspect the
facilities on a monthly basis until the animals are all sold.
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