HSHV Investigates Breeder Dogs Dumped in Salem Township
Friday, April 8, 2011

Cocker spaniels abandoned on the side of the road

The Humane Society of Huron Valley is looking for information on abandoned dogs found in Salem Township. So far seven purebred cocker spaniels have been found near Five Mile and Salem Road. A $500 reward is offered for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible.

"Someone, most likely a puppy mill or backyard breeder, simply dumped these dogs off on a rural, dirt road and then drove away," said Matt Schaecher, HSHV Director of Cruelty and Rescue. "The dogs were dumped and left to fend for themselves. It's disturbing to see dogs discarded because someone decided they could no longer be used to make a profit."

The dogs, mostly older in age, had clearly been used for breeding and did not receive proper care. The oldest dog is approximately 12 years old and the youngest is approximately six.

Greed likely a motivating factor

Tanya Hilgendorf, Executive Director of HSHV, has this to say. "This is a case of greed on the part of the breeders, who only see the animals as money makers and not as living feeling beings, unfortunately supported by unwitting people who buy pets without doing proper research.

"We always want families to consider adoption first, but if they go to a breeder they need to make sure it is a responsible one. Folks need to know that they should never buy companion animals from pet stores or from the internet, or any other place where you can't see where all the animals are raised and cared for. These dogs weren't family pets. They were 'breeder dogs' kept for the sole purpose of making puppies to make money.

"As such, they were severely neglected and probably lived tortured lives--never knowing the joy of a loving family, a happy walk outside, or a warm bed, like all dogs deserve. People who buy puppies from puppy-mill-like conditions are inadvertently supporting animal suffering."

Dogs being assessed for adoption

"We are currently evaluating the health of all the dogs," said Dr. Carrie Allen, HSHV Veterinarian. "All are in horribly neglectful states, with overgrown, badly matted feces-covered fur.  It appears that they have been housed in small cages amidst their own waste.  They range in age, but sadly, some are very old and appear to have had at least one litter of puppies a year for many years."

The dogs are being assessed medically and behaviorally and we are hopeful that they can go up for adoption.  Anyone with any information about where these dogs came from should call our anonymous tip line at (734) 661-3551.

If you are a cocker spaniel lover and are interested in adopting one of these sweet, but special needs, dogs, please call (734) 662-5585, or come to the shelter. HSHV is open daily from noon to 6 pm for adoptions.  

For more information, see our press release.

If you would like to support our Cruelty and Rescue department--which is solely funded by private donations--you may do so online.