A breeding business in Hillsborough County, Florida was operating under such dangerous conditions, that 350 dogs were evacuated with an emergency court order. These poor dogs were living in absolute filth, and forced to fight for their lives from the second they were born.
Rescuers state that hundreds of the dogs were stained with urine and feces, living in cramped cages, and suffering from a list of medical conditions brought on by living in unsanitary conditions. Severe dental disease, malnutrition, upper respiratory infections, and hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar) were among the list of illnesses that these poor pups were battling upon their rescue.
One dog was even found dead, and another with such severe injuries that the poor pup had to be euthanized to end it’s suffering.
https://www.facebook.com/ErikWaxlerWFTS/photos/pcb.2505374472834501/2505374436167838/?type=3&theater
Luckily the dogs are now being cared for by the dedicated staff at Pet Resources Center. The staff is working around the clock to treat such a large amount of sick dogs at once, and is relying on the help of local animal lovers who are currently volunteering at the shelter. The Pet Resource Center is currently trying to clear the shelter in order to make room for the incoming pups, as they must be kept in the care of animal services for 30 days, required by law. In their efforts they are waiving all adoption fees of pets already housed at the shelter.
https://www.facebook.com/PRCPets/photos/a.1430495257252403/2139013456400576/?type=3&theater
What is even more daunting than the horrific housing these dogs were kept is the fact that the man in charge of this facility had already had several counts of animal abuse against him. This facility had already experienced three previous mandatory seizures, resulting in over 800 dogs in total being pulled from this business over the past two decades. This leaves the public with the concern of how he was able to run this operation without any interference from authorities.
Robert Royers, 69, was previously charged with five animal-related crimes: cruelty to animals, selling contagious diseased animals, nuisance injurious to health, failure to have rabies certifications, and sale of an animal without health requirements. These charges have been acquired over the last 20 years in the same county, but appear to had been dropped for whatever reason according to court documents.
https://www.facebook.com/ErikWaxlerWFTS/photos/pcb.2505374472834501/2505374319501183/?type=3&theater
Just now Royers is finally facing severe penalties, and his ability to own an animal has been revoked.
So how could a man with such a long history of animal abuse be allowed to participate in so many animal related operations over the years?
This is yet another example of how animals are not seen equal in the eye of the law. We can only hope that this case helps to shed light on the suffering that these animals face, and helps to ensure harsher punishment in the future for offenders.
You can also sign the petition here, ran by Lady Freethinker, that is fighting for harsher penalties for animal abusers.
H/T: http://tampabay.com
Toledo, United States.
