October 29, 2009

Nearly 50 Severely Starved Dogs Rescued from Suspected Jasper County Puppy Mill

On October 23, under the authority and request of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, the ASPCA dispatched members of its Field Investigation and Response Team to assist in the investigation of a puppy mill operating in Bay Springs, Mississippi. 46 dogs were removed from the kennels and taken to a temporary shelter by the local animal cruelty investigator and the Sheriff’s dept. Most of the dogs were severely emaciated and suffered from a range of ailments including skin disease, rotted teeth, fur matted with urine and feces and various infections. Several of the dogs needed emergency veterinary care.

Highly skilled in evidence collection and case management, the ASPCA Field Investigation and Response Team provided the local organizations with the tools and resources needed to conduct a thorough investigation. A local veterinarian, Dr. Wayne Adams, conducted veterinary exams on each animal and triaged any immediate needs.

Richard Stockman, the owner of the kennels, reported that his mother had run the business for over a decade until suffering from a stroke five years ago. It was at that time Stockman took over full responsibility for the operation. Stockman immediately signed over 46 of the most critical dogs to Sally Langley, who works as an animal cruelty investigator with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department and provides animal control services for the area. According to Jasper County Sheriff Kenneth Cross, Stockman was cited, but not arrested, though further charges may follow.

Our team of investigators collected evidence for possible prosecution of the criminal case and provided for the animals’ immediate needs," says ASPCA Senior Vice President of Anti-Cruelty, Matt Bershadker. "Animal cruelty is unacceptable, and we are doing everything we can to lend our support to this critical operation. We applaud Sheriff Cross for pursuing this case and recognizing the severity of the complaint."

The dogs are currently recuperating at the Oxford Lafayette Humane Society and will soon be made available for adoption. Special thanks to Tailwaggers for Life for providing crates, supplies and personnel during the raid, as well as transportation for the dogs.