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Dogs From Suspected Riverview Puppy Mill Ready For Adoption

Hillsborough County Animal Services

"Daisy" is a long-haired Chihuahua seized from the PM Tinies breeding kennel nearly two weeks ago.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 18, 2008

TAMPA - Thirty dogs, many Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas that came out of a suspected puppy mill operation busted two weeks ago, are ready for adoption and will be available at the Hillsborough County Animal Control shelter on Wednesday.

The Brandon shelter opens at 11 a.m. Wednesday and will begin processing adoptions then.

The dogs were seized this month when animal control officers raided the PM Tinies breeding facility in Riverview and made three arrests. Most of the dogs were signed over to the county, which cleared the way for immediate adoptions.

Here are some guidelines for adoptions:

Priority is given to Hillsborough County residents during the first 24 hours of this offering.

Interested adopters should have applications approved in advance to expedite the process. This can be done in person at the animal services office at 440 Falkenburg Road from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today. Adoption paperwork is available and may be downloaded at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/animalservices. However, applications are processed in person.

Adoption approval requires proof of current address, photo ID, pet policy of landlord (if renting) and proof of current rabies vaccination and tags for pets already owned.

Those who want to adopt dogs from the breeder seizure may be subject to special restrictions, such as home visits or other screening by Hillsborough County animal services officers.

Most of the dogs still require spay or neuter surgery and may not be available to leave immediately.

The dogs offered range in age from 8 weeks to 14 years of age, and many have medical issues such as heartworms, heart murmurs and periodontal disease.

A second group of dogs from the same seizure has been sent to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay for immediate health care, and several more remain in foster care.

For information, call Hillsborough County Animal Services at (813) 744-5660.

Officers found animals living in deplorable conditions inside the PM Tinies business at 13605 U.S. 301 on Nov. 5. In all, 77 dogs were seized, and three people were arrested.

The owner, Patricia Martin Walters, 73, was charged with 41 counts of confinement of animals without food and water and 41 counts of animal cruelty. She was released from jail after posting $1,000 bail.

Daniel Hickman, 41, and Elaine Cave, 69, each was charged with 36 counts of confinement of animals without food and water and 36 counts of animal cruelty. Both were released after posting $1,000 bail each.

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760.

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