Animal Rights Group Settles With Owner of Seized Dogs

Raleigh, 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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Latest Comments

I am so glad that lady reported this filth.

Animals cant speak for themselves.

Sessy - Italiana
December 13, 2007 11:57 a.m.

Number one, I never said they don't take in money. Do you know any non-profit that doesn't? I've volunteered with ALDF and you're only correct to some extent. Yes, vet's do provide free services (but none that I dealt with felt suckered). I helped take in donations for kennels in one case and the money was totally accounted for and only used for its designated purpose. Accounts were set up at a local bank and all funds went to that account. The people able to access the $ were local two volunteers, not ALDF. In the same case the billboards we secured were not through them even though ALDF was listed on the boards. They actually didn't secure the space (that was done by volunteers from another organization). I'm the farthest thing from a bleeding heart - part of why I don't volunteer with animal groups any longer (I think it's abuse for rescues to keep them in cages). However, in the time I volunteered with (not for) ALDF, I saw them in there scooping poo with the rest of us.

Heather
December 12, 2007 11:10 p.m.

I know i'm going to hear about this. Ihave two dogs.and two birds, and i love them all very much,but for all you so called animal rights people. Don't forget you are human and if you put as much money into rights,and care,and help for your fellow human being we may not have alot of the problems we have now.The same person who would call the animal protection people about an animal that may have been mistreated, might turn there back on someone who is being mistreated because they "don't want to get envolved".And that old argument of the animal can't protect it self is just that, old. Did you know that the only two animals that have sex for fun is the Dolphin and human,yet you think nothing of "FIXING" little POOKIE because its a pain to keep her inside when she has that NATURAL urge.Good thing you can't swim fast or the Dolphins would be next.

danno50
December 12, 2007 9:52 p.m.

I suppose the PETA was not interested in picking up a few dogs that they could treat ethically?

Viewer
December 12, 2007 9:04 p.m.

Trooper: Heather was wrong; the ALDF takes in money, and plenty of it and they account to no one for where it goes. They sucker lawyers in to providing free legal services; vets in to providing free vet care; numerous gullible people into providing donations of pet care items; and then they plaster the area with billboards seeking monetary donations. They play on people's passion for animals, and seek to impose their views on animals upon the people of North Carolina who actually eat animals.

ghwhitaker1_old
December 12, 2007 8:43 p.m.