For several months, our neighbors have been running a puppy mill.  For those not familiar with puppy mills, they are exactly what they sound like.  A place where puppies are bred for profit.  A concept that is not too bad, until the mill has more puppies than they can handle and no client to buy the puppies.

These puppies and the dogs used to breed them have been escaping the confines of our neighbors back yard.  Concerned about the safety of the wandering animals, we contacted our county's Animal Control.  Each call was answered with either an excuse as to why Animal Control was unable to respond, or an excuse as to why nothing could be done.  Either way, the dogs remained unCONTROLLED.

The lack of response by Animal Control eventually resulted in the death of the adult female dog.  She was hit by a vehicle.

Animal control was notified and the neighbors were served a warning to keep their dogs under control, or the dogs could be removed.  The warning was largely ignored by the neighbors as there were anywhere from 1 to 5 dogs at any given time roaming, freely.  

More calls to Animal Control were made.  More excuses were given.  A call was made by me to the Animal Control.  Since they close at NOON, I left a rather frank voicemail expressing my displeasure with all of their excuses and lack of action.  I received a call back by them expressing their displeasure at my thinking that they were in the business of making excuses.

Today, 2 March, 2009, our neighbor's adult male dog was in our yard (loose), limping.  We captured the dog and brought him into our home (locking our 2 dogs away to avoid confrontation).  Our inspection of the dog revealed that he had sustained a serious injury to the left, rear leg.  A visible deformation was present - possibly a broken bone, or a displaced hip.  Either way, the dog was in so much pain that he would not use the leg to walk.

We contacted Animal Control to have the dog taken and examined.  They came up with an excuse as to why they were unable to come, today, to get the dog.  With some heated convincing, the Animal Control guy finally agreed to get the dog.

It is obvious that our Animal Control department does not have an interest in performing their duties.  Because of this, an e-mail was sent to the County Administrator, outlining all problems explained, above.  I wonder how many excuses the Administrator will have to defend the Animal Control department?

+ruined