One thousand dogs rescued
Animals taken from Parkersburg breeder now at Humane SocietyBy Dave Payne Sr., Special to The Times
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To donate or volunteer to help with the dog rescue, call the Humane Society of Parkersburg at (304) 422-5541.
PARKERSBURG - When Maryann Hollis left Philadelphia to start her new position as executive director of the Humane Society of Parkersburg three weeks ago, Parkersburg seemed to be a small, sleepy town.
That is, until a thousand dogs were dropped in her lap Saturday and she found herself in the midst of one of the largest animal-rescue operations in the nation and the largest in West Virginia history.
Luckily, she's had some help as organizations and volunteers from across the nation have pitched in to help move and care for the dogs.
The dogs were surrendered by Whispering Oaks Kennel Saturday, after officials executed a search warrant at Sharon Robert's Internet-based dog-breeding business at 301 Whispering Oaks Lane, Parkersburg.
The Wood County Sheriff's Department reported the owner's husband, Edwin R. Roberts, 73, of 301 Whispering Oaks Lane, Parkersburg, was arrested at 4:25 p.m. Sunday on charges of assault of a police officer and obstructing a police officer. He was scheduled for arraignment Sunday evening in Wood County Magistrate Court. Details surrounding the arrest were unavailable at press time.
It took two days to move all the dogs into a Parkersburg warehouse for temporary housing. There is much still to do: each of those thousand dogs has to seen by a veterinarian. Each needs its cage cleaned, fed, watered and perhaps an occasional scratch behind the ear.
The warehouse was a flurry of activity Sunday, with dozens of volunteers moving dogs, cleaning cages, feeding dogs, bringing in supplies and checking on puppies and pregnant dogs - which will soon be moved to where they can be better cared for - about to give birth.
Many of those volunteers are from Parkersburg. Others hail from all over the nation - from groups including the Humane Society of the United States, Best Friends Animal Society, The Humane Society of Missouri, the Tampa Bay Disaster Animal Response Team and United Animal Nations.
It's an effort of monolithic proportions, but Hollis said it's one of the most satisfying undertakings she's ever been a part of.
"Pennsylvania is well-known for its vast amount of puppy mills and people brought so many of those dogs in to us, but the mills kept going. To be able to see one of those close down instead of just taking dogs they've sold has been a dream come true for me," she said.
Some of the dogs were dehydrated, but most were in relatively good health. One dog, however, was initially feared to have had a broken pelvis, but Sunday's prognosis for the animal was far worse, said Carrie Roe, the Humane Society of Parkersburg's board president.
"The dog's pelvis is not broken. The bad news is, it is paralyzed in the rear legs. The good news is one of the organizations here - Best Friends Animal Society - has committed to taking care of that dog for the rest of its life," she said.
Roe said the dog's injury was not new.
"The dog has been in this condition for some time," she said.
The majority of the dogs aren't the puppies people usually purchased from Whispering Oaks for several hundred dollars each. Although there are many puppies, as well as some yet to be born, most are adults, Hollis said.
"These were the dogs that were breeding machines," she said.
The dogs were kept in wire mesh enclosures, most about three feet by three feet, resembling rabbit hutches, Roe said.
Roe said dogs who have lived their lives on wire mesh often have difficulty learning to deal with other surfaces.
"They don't know how to walk in grass. They get in it and they feel this strange sensation on their feet and they will stumble and fall over. You literally have to teach them to walk on grass," she said.
Hollis said the dogs can also have difficulty learning to walk on carpet and may avoid flat, hard surfaces, such as tile floors.
Applications for adoption won't be accepted until Saturday. Roe said finding homes for the dogs will be a complicated process.
"These dogs have had very little human attention, they fight for it. Dogs from puppy mills typically don't do well with other dogs. These dogs have never been on a leash. They have seen so many more people in the last 24 hours than they have seen in their entire lives," she said.
On its Web site, which has been taken down since Saturday, Whispering Oaks cited a policy of not allowing people to visit the kennel because of insurance and liability purposes.
Not being allowed to see the conditions dogs were reared in should throw up a red flag to anyone wanting to purchase a dog, Roe said. She said there are numerous reputable dog breeders and those wanting to purchase a dog should expect some degree of transparency.
"If you can't see where the dog was born and raised, you simply shouldn't be buying that dog," Roe said.
The cost of the rescue operation could exceed $100,000 and the humane society needs monetary donations most of all, Hollis said. Volunteers are also in need of meals, she said.
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troyinohio
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08-25-08 10:54 PM
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Stick the bill to the owners. Take every asset they have and put it to the dogs. If you want to throw them in a 3x3 cage, fine, but I think that would be too good for them. These people are the worst and they CAN'T be allowed to get away with it. Make them an example for the whole country.
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pamellita
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08-25-08 5:32 PM
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Incredidbly, there are people that think that puppy mills don't really exist. Well here is the proof. I get so angry when I see all of the ads in the newpapers, the trades papers, advertising dogs and puppies for free,and then volunteer at the Humane society and see all of the wonderful and personable dogs just waiting for some love and attention. If you want time with a dog but can't afford one full time, volunteer: walk a few of them, help with feeding, buy a bag of food. It will do wonders for your well being. I have heard some people make the statement that they want their dog to have puppies just for the experience, becuase she would make such a wonderful mother. That's ridiculous. The dog doesn't care if it has puppies or not. And if is my belief that if you breed the dog, have a prospect and a backup for every possible pup born. Be responsible. Spay. Neuter. If you can't afford it, you can't afford to have the animal in the first place.
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Pancakes
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08-25-08 5:22 PM
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Tears. thats all I can come up with.
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OHIO45750
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08-25-08 3:39 PM
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THIS IS HORRIBLE..THEM POOR DOGS... THAT IS NO LIFE FOR THEM.. I AGREE WITH ALL THE ABOVE COMMENTS. I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE IS.... THEIRS NO EXCUSE. "NONE" MY DAUGHTER IS PART OF A LARGE CHEER ORG. IN PARKERSBURG AND HER COACH EMAILED ALL OF US ASKING FOR OUR HELP FOR THESE DOGS. I THINK EVERY ORG. SHOULD DO THE SAME. WE ARE COLLECTING GOOD, NEWSPAPERS, MONETARY DONATIONS AND OLD LINENS TO LINE THEIR CAGES. SO COME ON MID OHIO VALLEY.. LETS HELP OUT THESE HELPLESS DOGS AND THE AWESOME STAFF AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY WHO IS CARING FOR THEM.
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ladynoogs
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08-25-08 3:21 PM
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i heard on the news that it was the second largest rescue case in AMERICAN history and only a few hundred dogs from beating that one. It sick. If i didnt have two dogs and two cat's already i'd be one of the first down there to adopt them. we got our two dogs from someone who said they were goign to take them to the pound so my husband brought them home instead we gave the third to my elder parent. Puppy mills (adn thats what it is) need to face harsher punishments. dont put her in jail, but make her do so mega community service or something.
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wingsangel7
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08-25-08 2:06 PM
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I bought a dog from her years ago,A boston terrier, same thing, I was not allowed to see the facility, due to ins. and other possible contaminations. And I did not ever recommend her to any others, because of that. when I arrived the pups I was interested in where outside in a puppy play yard. which was fine by me. My pup, luckily was healthy. I had no idea she could have been housing that many dogs/puppies! I will also call the shelter and try to help.
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momof2girls
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08-25-08 12:59 PM
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I agree make the owners of the kennel pay. This story is a sad one. But at least now these puppies can find great loving homes. I for one already know of someone that is going to go down there and try and adopt one!!
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deaneo
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08-25-08 12:53 PM
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I DONT SEE WHY THEY ARE LETTING THIS MONSTER OFF THE HOOK. PUT A LIEN AGAINST HER HOME AND MAKE HER PAY FOR THE KEEP OF THESE DOGS. I DONT CARE HOW OLD SHE IS SHE CREATED THIS MESS OUT SHEER GREED. WITH NO COMPASSION FOR THESE DOGS.
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Angela415
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08-25-08 11:22 AM
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I really have to bite my tongue on this! What is wrong with people! Honestly!!! I pray that they get the fullest extent of the law and yea, I agree with "pioneernative"... put the owners in a 3x3 cage and let them serve their sentence! The only peace I find in this story is that one day they will have their judgement day from God. No mercy... do onto others as you would have them do unto you. Those poor animals! God help them find good homes that will love and treat them as God intended.
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peppie
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08-25-08 11:19 AM
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Such a terrible thing to have happen. I am offering my services also. Come on people, lets help the helpless.
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pioneernative
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08-25-08 10:44 AM
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Thank God this place was found and shut down and thank you to all of the volunteers who are helping these poor dogs. I own four dogs myself and when I heard about this, it made me sick! Maybe the owners punishment should be to be put in a 3x3 cage for the rest of their lives. They are obviously heartless people. I will be calling the shelter and doing what I can to help.
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