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Hillsborough officials rescue dozens of dogs from 2 breeders

News Channel 8 photo by PAUL LAMISON

This dog is among dozens seized today from two breeders in Hillsborough County.

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By KATIE CORONADO | News Channel 8

Published: June 11, 2009

Updated: 06/11/2009 02:22 pm

Dozens of dogs were rescued from two Hillsborough County breeders who kept the animals in what investigators are calling "deplorable conditions."

Hillsborough County Animal Services workers removed the dogs, including Yorkies, from a business in the 300 block of Orsley Drive in Seffner and another in the 8900 block of 39th Street East in Tampa, according to animal services.

Most of the animals will need medical attention, said Animal Services Veterinarian Isabel Roese, who was at the Seffner location.

"I saw feces on the floor," she said, "I saw Yorkies urinating a little bit everywhere. There's feces on beds, on couches. There's open cans of food everywhere. There's bowls of food on the floor."

The joint operation between the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Tampa Police Department started around 8:30 a.m., officials said.

Investigators seized 28 Yorkies from the Tampa location and 35 from the Hillsborough County jurisdiction, said animal services investigator Buddy Butler.

Officials say the breeders from both locations are blood relatives. James Jordan of Seffner was not at home when investigators served the warrant to seize the dogs.

Investigators say Dovie Jewel Carter was breeding dogs at the 39th Street location. When called for comment, Carter said, "I'm upset and I can't handle this," and then hung up.

Herbert Robins, a Carter family friend, answered the door at Carter's home moments after the seizure. He said she's been breeding dogs for a long time. "She sells them all the time," Robins said.

"All of these dogs they were never put in cages, Robins said. "They were just out loose on the floor, and we swept and mopped every evening and every morning and picked newspapers and this place was clean."

Investigators say the house reeked.

"There was a strong odor of urine and feces when I first walked in there," said Butler. "We read the warrant at the door and you can smell it."

In all officials say they seized 63 animals, all Yorkies except one Shepard mix. The Yorkies were sold for $650-$1000, said Animal Services spokesperson Marti Ryan.

Investigations like this may be imperiled by looming county budget cuts, said Dennis McCullough, Operations Manager with Hillsborough County Animal Services.

"Without our capability to have investigations which is being cut, there will be nobody to speak for these animals," he said.

The animals seized today are in the custody of Animal Services. They are being tested for medical issues. Meanwhile, officials say the breeders could face charges of animal cruelty and improper animal confinement.

Ryan is asking animal lovers not to call about these dogs. Overwhelming phone calls could result in the blocking of emergency calls such as the anonymous tip that led to today's seizures. Ryan said there will be an announcement about adoptions when the time comes.

Hillsborough County residents will have first priority, she said.

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