300 dogs seized at Caldwell kennel

The dogs will stay at the shelter set up at the fairgrounds until released by Caldwell County authorities. Over the next few days, they will be examined by veterinarians, and after an evaluation, the dogs will be sent to the Humane Society's emergency services partners and placed into adoption.

Anyone who wants to make donations for the care of the dogs can send checks to the Caldwell Humane Society at P.O. Box 1991, Lenoir, NC 28645 or contact Donna West at 828-292-2925. Or email caldwell4pets@gmail.com .

Officers seized 300 dogs Thursday from a Caldwell County kennel, rescuers said, including some found living in their own feces and others with foot problems caused by walking on wire cages their entire lives.

Several dogs were also found dead on the property, according to the Humane Society of the United States, which sent a team to help local authorities rescue the dogs from Mason Creek Kennels on Free Mason Road in Hudson, about 70 miles northwest of Charlotte.

Animal rescuers are calling the kennel a puppy mill.

"Many of these dogs were living in filthy cages so small that they could barely stand up and turn around," said Kim Alboum, the N.C. director for the Humane Society.

Caldwell County Animal Control Director Greg Greene said Mason Creek Kennels had been under investigation for quite a while. Greene said no charges had been filed against the kennel's owner, William "Bill" Thomas Allen, but those are expected within a week.

The investigation began after animal control got an anonymous tip about the dogs, according to the Humane Society, and an inspection revealed unsanitary conditions and unhealthy dogs.

The Humane Society said the kennel's owner was selling puppies over the Internet.

The Mason Creek Kennels website claims Allen has 28 years of experience as a dog breeder, and that the kennels are certified by the American Kennel Club.

The site has several photos of puppies for sale, including Yorkshire terriers, Pomeranians, Boston terriers and French bulldogs. The kennel advertises a two-year health warranty on the dogs it sells.

"We have recently constructed a brand new 'state-of-the art' facility which is attached to our residence, which was designed ideally for the rearing of happy, healthy, exercised and socialized adult canines and puppies," the website says.

But photos released Thursday by the Humane Society show animals kept in dirty kennels or small cages stacked on top of one another.

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