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Neglected North Carolina Dogs Come To Largo For Adoption

Tribune photo by MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

Dogs rescued from a puppy mill in North Carolina are being cared for by Disaster Animal Response Team members at the SPCA Tampa Bay in Largo on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2009.

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TBO.com staff

Published: February 12, 2009

A Tampa Bay area animal agency is helping some neglected dogs from North Carolina.

Animal control officers seized almost 300 dogs from a suspected puppy mill at Thornton Kennels in Wayne County last week, according to the SPCA.

Many of the 283 animals are emaciated, have untreated cuts and matted fur, and suffer from skin and eye infections.

The SPCA of Tampa Bay went up to help with the case and brought back 77 dogs this morning. The pure bred dogs range in age from six months old to 10 years old and include Chihuauas, Lhasa Apsos, Maltese, Min Pins, Pekinese, Pomeranians and Poodles.

Once the animals are in good health, they will be ready for adoption.

The owner of the kennel, Virginia Thornton, faces a civil injunction that alleges she willfully and intentionally deprived the animals of a proper living environment. The district attorney will decide whether to file criminal charges, according to the government Web site for Wayne County.

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