My aunt has been running a dog breeding business for several years from her home (she lives in a rural area), and until I started going to visit, I thought she were doing it properly. I have visited from out-of-state several times, and witnessed something that I believe to be ongoing animal cruelty.

My aunt has a small building behind her house and in it, she keeps several small to medium sized dogs in small cages, barely big enough for the dog to turn around in. She allows these dogs out only a few minutes each day while she cleans the cages. I asked her why she doesn’t let them out for longer periods but she says she has no one to help her watch after all the dogs she has, so she can’t. She claims they’re all “rescues” and are lucky to have a safe place where they get fed every day. Frankly, I think she’s become some kind of hoarder and it’s making the animals she “rescues” suffer.

The dogs she uses for breeding are kept in almost as dismal conditions. She keeps five or six larger dogs in outside pens, but the pens are still too small (in my opinion) for that many dogs, and she constantly has to break up fights. She has several of these pens, but like the dogs inside the building, she NEVER allows them out of those pens for any sort of exercise.

She has had county animal control come to her house several times over the years, called by neighbors who complain about the noise and odor. According to her, she hasn’t so much as been given any kind of warning. According to HER, all they do is come out, talk to her, look at her record-keeping and that’s it. I do not understand how anyone concerned with animal welfare can look at her set-up and not reach the conclusion that she’s engaging in cruel treatment of those dogs.

I suspect no one from the county has ever gone inside her building to see how she keeps the dogs in there -- or if they do, she lies to them and says they’re allowed out. I might believe this, too, had I not seen things like this on every visit. It’s gotten to the point where I can’t bear to go visit her again.

I don’t know who to contact about this, but someone needs to intervene. I live in another state and have not been able to figure out who to contact in HER state (North Carolina) and let them know they need to inspect ALL her facilities, inside and out, as well as examine her dogs.

You may have to visit and get some photos. Hve you called the local Animal Protection Agency - SPCA or something else?

Very often a specific dog breed association will step in - for example, a German Shepherd owners' group in my area polices GSD breeders in my area.

The best you can do is keep contacting the Animal Protection Agency. Sometimes the AKC will also take part.

One of the problems is she breeds hybrid dogs (labradoodles), and she's not a member of AKC. She was at one time (early on, when she first started), but claims she got suspended for not paying dues or something. She is supposedly a member of some group called the UKC.

I'm guessing that by asking this and wanting to take action that you are not concerned with being implicated in any reports that may be filed?
Continue to call the Animal Control Dept. in her county, call the Humane Society, call absolutely any group that you can possibly think of and keep calling.
Ever heard "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"
I don't know what county she is in, I do know that at least one county in NC that the Sheriff's Dept is actually in control of Animal Control. Check that out, perhaps some other agency has a hand in Animal Control in her county.

Where is she located, County and State? In my area (NY) PETA does and has stepped in. I'm not saying I don't think they are radical but I do know they "step in."

She is in Rowan County, Cleveland, NC. Unless necessary, I'd rather stay anonymous.

Can't blame you for not wanting to start a squabble.
You can still make all the anonymous reports that you wish.
But it would help is the neighbors would also continue to report.
Unfortunately, sometimes it takes a while for authorities to take action on things like this, they have to build a case.
But at least someone is aware and is trying to do something, that is a start.

I understand your concerns about confidentiality but I am former law enforcement (although not involving animals) and anonymous complaints are not taken terribly seriously. I would contact PETA, I would contact County Animal Control, in some instances the local (City) Animal Control Officer will help.

Sometimes, as unpleasant as it is, you have to step forward to stop abuse and cruelty. You very obviously believe the situation needs to be corrected and the inhumane treatment needs to be stopped.

You're the only one who can stop it at this point.

- Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary (http://www.faithfulfriendsnc.org/)

Cabarrus Pets Society - Home (http://www.cabarruspets.com/home.cfm)

Humane Society of Rowan County (http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC62.html)

animal rescue Cabarrus animal rescue, HS Cabarrus Animal Rescue Cabarrus County, NC Home (http://www.cabarrusanimalrescue.org/)

Ok, I've just done a little searching and had to locate Cleveland on the map.
There are a couple of major cities nearby, Salisbury, Greensboro, Asheboro and others.
The links above may be helpful, they are shelters or rescue facilities, even if they cannot help you you or even take the pets if an investigation were to take place.
They will be able to point you in a good direction as to who to call.
One is a list of no kill shelters, I think I spotted a couple in that area on the list.
Don't stop at calling only Rowan county, it is not unusual for other counties to step in and work with neighboring counties to get things done, so call other place also.
It will be a lot of phone work but unless a stir is made there may be nothing done.

Okay. Thanks so much. I'll contact all those and will even give my name and address if necessary.

You will find that in NC, the people who breed and/or board animals fall under the Dept of Agriculture. And it appears by my reading their law, she is required to have a state license and be inspected by them.

They appear to be the department that enforces state law for kennels, breeders and boarders.

You will need to find what exact law she is breaking and it may break you heart to know that if they are feed, cleaned and no illness, that they may not have to be played with or taken for walks and the such.

You will need to read though these laws and see if she is breaking any real law,

North Carolina Consolidated Dog Statutes (http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusncst19A_20_130A_201.htm)

Okay. Thanks so much. I'll contact all those and will even give my name and address if necessary.


Thanks - sometimes it's difficult but you have information and need to step up. You are doing the right thing. If your aunt is a hoarder, this could also make a difference in her life.

(Great research!)

Sad but true, North Carolina is one state where breeding facilities do not require license or inspection. But hopefully that is turning around.
As a resident of this fair state, I know that public outcry is making a difference.
Hopefully these laws or lack thereof will change.

N.C. trails most states in regulating 'puppy mills' - Other Views - NewsObserver.com (http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/02/22/1873844/nc-trails-most-states-in-regulating.html)

We are seeing it more in the news, here are two recent ones. More is being done about complaints of this nature now than has been in years past. It may just work in the animals favor.

Rescuing More than 150 Dogs from North Carolina Puppy Mill - Wayne Pacelle: A Humane Nation (http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2012/02/nc-puppy-mill-rescue.html)

80 dogs removed from Jones Co. puppy mill | NBC17.com (http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2012/mar/14/80-dogs-removed-jones-co-puppy-mill-ar-2044543/)

Thanks to everybody providing links and contacts. One of my cousins told me she was a "borderline" puppy mill (whatever that means), but at this point, she's not breeding anymore. The last time I was there, she had no puppies, just older dogs she couldn't seem to sell (mainly because she's asking too much for them). The "rescue" dogs she keeps for reasons only she can understand, even though she can barely take care of them.

Nonetheless if the dogs are not properly cared for reports are still valid.
Are you still planning to pursue?
Like Judy said it could be a win-win, with your aunt reaping benefit also.

I apologize, I realize that it may seem I am pushing, the fact is I see neglected animals often because of my job, so I am a little passionate. I suppose that is evident.

I'm planning on reporting to all the agency links provided, and I'll see if I can find out how to contact the Dept. of Agriculture. I hate even thinking about dogs being kept in cages and not allowed any freedom at all.

Thanks, one and all.