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Animal Rights Group Settles With Owner of Seized Dogs
An animal rights group has settled with a Wake County woman from whom authorities seized more than 100 dogs from her home.
Posted — UpdatedRALEIGH, N.C. — A Raleigh woman from whom animal control investigators seized more than 100 dogs has agreed not to own or have custody of any more animals, according to a settlement agreement reached Tuesday.
Wake County Animal Control officers seized 106 dogs, mostly toy poodles, and nine birds from the home of Janie Conyers on Oct. 19, after a woman looking to breed her poodle reported filthy and crowded conditions to authorities.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sought a court order that would prevent Conyers, 77, from regaining ownership of the dogs.
The matter was scheduled to go to court this week, but the two parties reached the settlement, which also states that Conyers shall allow visits to her home to determine compliance with the settlement's terms.
Because Conyers also ran a dog grooming and breeding business, she can no longer care for animals in any capacity.
An animal cruelty investigator found 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, according to a search warrant.
The animals seized have since been returned to their owners, placed in foster care or are still being held at the Wake County Animal Care, Control & Adoption Center.
The settlement now clears the way for those animals to be adopted.
"It's a very good day," said Mike Williams, director of the center. "We're happy that the case is settled and that these animals will all go to good homes and get the medical attention that they need."
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