ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — The Polk County Sheriff's Office broke up a puppy mill in Lakeland and now more than 60 dogs are getting critical medical care at an Orange County animal hospital.
WANT TO ADOPT? Fla. Little Dog Rescue | West Orange Vet Hospital
Five dozen dogs, most of them used for breeding, were seized from a Lakeland home and brought to West Orange Veterinary Hospital for much needed medical attention.
The little dogs need lots of TLC, from teeth cleaning to mats; it's a big job to get these little dogs ready for adoption. So many dogs came in West Orange Veterinary Hospital needed to do surgeries and treatment at both its facilities.
"This is the largest group they've brought to us with 62 dogs. We do everything to kinda give back a little bit," vet Jon Nadler said.
The dogs were brought there by Florida Little Dog Rescue, an outreach group with a website filled with other rescued dogs. This was the largest number it had taken on at one time.
"It breaks my heart, it breaks my heart," said Melissa Perez, Florida Little Dog Rescue. "You can see how precious and can't imagine how someone could mistreat such a sweet thing."
Only one dog had to put down; the others will need to be placed.
All the dogs are spayed or neutered, so their days churning out pups are over. Any dogs that are pregnant will deliver their puppies, so the rescue really will be well more than 62.
WFTV asked the Polk County Sheriff's Office why the dogs' owner did not face charges and a spokesperson said the animal cruelty statute did not apply to any of the animals in this case because dirty and matted does not equal animal cruelty or animal abuse.
WFTV
