100+ Dogs Seized From Raleigh Home

Raleigh, N.C. — More than 100 dogs are in the custody of Wake County Animal Control after they were recently seized from a Raleigh home.

According to a 26-page search warrant, the approximately 112 dogs, primarily toy poodles, and eight birds were taken from the residence at 8252 Holly Springs Road after a woman who was looking to breed her poodle reported filthy and crowded conditions to authorities.

An animal cruelty investigator reported in the warrants that animal waste accumulated on the surfaces of the animal housing and that the residence was "heavily infested with cockroaches" and rodent feces, as well as strong smells of ammonia and an infestation of bugs.

Neighbors said the animals were raised, groomed and boarded at the residence and that the noise and odor coming from the property were a nuisance.

"The investigator looked around the property, did an assessment and determined that she had the grounds to take possession of the animals," said Mike Williams, with Wake County Animal Control.

An investigation is under way, and authorities have not yet determined whether the resident of the property, Janie Conyers, will face charges.

Conyers declined to comment Tuesday, but according to the warrant, the woman who called animal control said Conyers "was an elderly woman who lives alone and who has few resources," and that Conyers requested a loan from the caller to purchase dog food.

The animals have not been placed up for adoption and it was unclear if or when they might be.

Animal control officials said the best thing the public can do is to help an animal from their regular population.

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First of all, I do not own a poodle. Good breeders guarantee their puppies and usually want to co-own them so that they can monitor all breeding if it meets the criteria. Health is also guaranteed. People lose control of situations sometimes. Sometimes adults or children suffer; sometimes animals suffer. Doesn't make it right. Sometimes you try very hard, but you can not make the right things happen. I hope you never find yourself in any kind of situation in life that would cause you to experience hardship. Have a blessed day.

lbdancer3
October 24, 2007 9:00 p.m.

One of my biggest concerns is the lack of response from the Central Carolina Poodle Club's board of directors, whom received a copy of this article. If you want to voice your concerns to a group that is suppose to police its own and keep the welfare of the dogs above their own egos please send your comments to the carolinapoodleclub@yahoo.com

4natural
October 24, 2007 8:53 p.m.

lbdancer3 - so are you saying that since she kept up with her paperwork that she's a "good breeder"? Does that make the conditions any less filthy? Or does that go to show that it was a conscious decision to let dogs live like this and KEEP BREEDING AND SHOWING? Not sure the fact that she appears to have enough wits about her to file DNA and get eye certs is gonna get her any sympathy as a "poor elderly person"....

NCchick - did your breeder require you to spay/neuter your puppy? Did she require you to sign an agreement that if FOR ANY REASON you could not keep her, that you would return the dog to her? What's her "guarantee" - that if the dog gets sick, she'll refund your money? How many times you think THAT happens - that new owners just say "darn - it's sick, just give me my money back or a new puppy"? Not trying to be difficult - but as soon as a breeder lets a dog go out without a spay/neuter agreement, there's a potential for 100's of unwanted dogs in just a couple years.

cocker_mom
October 24, 2007 6:06 p.m.

Don't ASSUME unless you know it to be a fact. All handlers do not charge, especially when the dog has been given to them because it is such good quality that it will enhance their breeding program. The majority of all puppies were and are show quality. Things got out of hand numbers wise. Cocker Mom--you are being very unkind. Do you think that she is not reading these posts? Why cause more stress, chest pain, etc. to a person already hurting? If more people would try to problem solve and not add to the hurt, more terrible situations would likely be solved. No money was spent in the way that you indicated. I have very good sources. Age, poor health, always giving any extra to those in need, and 100's of other valid reasons contributed to this situation.

lbdancer3
October 24, 2007 6:01 p.m.

For Pamela - the breed clubs should "police" their own. To belon g to a club, usually all breeders have to sign a code of ethics statement about the care they provide, keeping them clean, vaccinated, not to overbreed females, etc. Certainly if this woman was still showing dogs - there were signs: not meeting other breed folks at her house to sell them a puppy; not letting the handler come to the house; getting a puppy that didn't smell just right; bills not getting paid; records not being provided, etc. In my experience, there were always signs. And if a breeder constantly has a "new" show dog, that means that dog is part of a larger litter that has to be sold - so for every show dog they have - they've likely bred 6 to get one. Not too hard to do the math and figure who might be in over their heads. People in the club talk - and will step in and help if a member comes to them for assistance placing dogs or even if they have financial problems.

cocker_mom
October 24, 2007 4:19 p.m.