Feds investigating potential puppy mill in Selah
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SELAH, Wash. -- Metal scraps and garbage blanket this property in Selah. Action News first learned about it when neighbors were just tired of looking at the mess off North Wenas Road and asked me to investigate.
That's when KIMA learned it violates Yakima County code. But that's just scratching the surface.
Investigators said the property owners are potentially running a puppy mill. Officials said their kennel doesn't have a license and isn't meeting county requirements.
Federal agents opened an investigation after finding dozens of complaints about dogs received from this Selah home. The complaints are spread across the country and even from Canada.
To get their side of the story, Action News went back to the property.
It didn't go well. When I knocked on the door, an unidentified woman slammed it in my face and told me to get off the property.
On the way out I was met by Tom Beatty, the property owner. He was equally unhappy.
Beatty calmed down after I explained that I only wanted to hear his side of the story. I asked him about all of the complaints the county has received regarding dogs from his kennel.
"I know I've been in court with them. I know all about it," Beatty said.
"Do you think you're operating this kennel illegally," KIMA asked.
"I am. But when I was in court, the county said they'd come, be right out to inspect and they haven't done anything," Beatty said.
Deputy Prosecutor, Paul McIrath, says the Beatty's have been cited for operating without a kennel license before. But Yakima County hasn't been able to get a criminal warrant to get on the Selah site.
They're gathering evidence from afar. Including pictures of the 130 dogs the Beattys gave away to a Seattle-area animal rescue. Many of them were sick. State law only allows 50 animals per kennel.
Beatty tells me he still has 40-50 dogs on his property, but wasn't willing to let me get video.
"If the dogs are in good condition, why won't you let us see them," KIMA asked.
"They've got everything they need. I'm not interrupting my wife. I had a heart attack last year."
The County believes this site is a problem and intends to follow through.
"We will do everything possible to ensure that the state and county laws are upheld and if that means going to court and getting a warrant," McIrath said.
That's when KIMA learned it violates Yakima County code. But that's just scratching the surface.
Investigators said the property owners are potentially running a puppy mill. Officials said their kennel doesn't have a license and isn't meeting county requirements.
Federal agents opened an investigation after finding dozens of complaints about dogs received from this Selah home. The complaints are spread across the country and even from Canada.
To get their side of the story, Action News went back to the property.
It didn't go well. When I knocked on the door, an unidentified woman slammed it in my face and told me to get off the property.
On the way out I was met by Tom Beatty, the property owner. He was equally unhappy.
Beatty calmed down after I explained that I only wanted to hear his side of the story. I asked him about all of the complaints the county has received regarding dogs from his kennel.
"I know I've been in court with them. I know all about it," Beatty said.
"Do you think you're operating this kennel illegally," KIMA asked.
"I am. But when I was in court, the county said they'd come, be right out to inspect and they haven't done anything," Beatty said.
Deputy Prosecutor, Paul McIrath, says the Beatty's have been cited for operating without a kennel license before. But Yakima County hasn't been able to get a criminal warrant to get on the Selah site.
They're gathering evidence from afar. Including pictures of the 130 dogs the Beattys gave away to a Seattle-area animal rescue. Many of them were sick. State law only allows 50 animals per kennel.
Beatty tells me he still has 40-50 dogs on his property, but wasn't willing to let me get video.
"If the dogs are in good condition, why won't you let us see them," KIMA asked.
"They've got everything they need. I'm not interrupting my wife. I had a heart attack last year."
The County believes this site is a problem and intends to follow through.
"We will do everything possible to ensure that the state and county laws are upheld and if that means going to court and getting a warrant," McIrath said.
Elizabeth Turner Brinkley......I have seen it first hand. I have worked with several breeders. Some good, some bad, But I have seen it first hand on more than 100 dogs in less than 3 short years, and that is not including the retired breeders we didn't have room for. Poor shelter management...please. Yes, the breeders DO CAUSE issues for the shelters,it's silly to believe otherwise, .......where do you really beleive these retired (no longer good for a buck) dogs end up? Â Also state of the art kennels mean virtually no hands on for these dogs unless they are being put together for mating or having puppies taken from them. State of the art can cause other issues with these prisoners of greed. .Lets' not even go into the condition of there coats,especially those that need constant grooming to remain healthy. Â If the "industry" is breeding "companion animals", then why doesn't the parents of these animals act like companion animals? Why at 5 yrs. old does a yorkie cower and shake in a corner when people approach? Why do the crap and then spin in it? They spin because it's the only exercise they have even known. Why have they lost legs from circulation issues caused by coats so matted they cut off the circulation? Â There is such a term as puppy mill and the people that have created it are these great usda "licensed" breeders. USDA also oversees the industry that brings you salmonella in cantalope and spinach. Â Just because they are "licensed" means NOTHING!!!! Â Â And as far as breeders NOT being responsible for the dogs in shelters, well that's a pretty easy thing to say if you have never worked in a shelter, Did you know, that most of the non productive dogs from breeders are saved by rescuers and shelters? WHY? Â Mainly since the posting usually end with,"it's okay if you can't take them,I can have them euthanized". We make room and we help because we believe that every dog that has been forced into giving their entire life for the pleasures of others,deserves to feel the love and attention that they have missed out on. So you are right on one point only...... Not all shelter dogs are right for everyone, and that includes the parents of these commercially bred dogs. Do you really think they all magically disappear when they are over puppy bearing age????Â
7 Things You Didnât Know About Puppy Mills 1) There is no such thing as a "puppy mill". "Puppy mill" is not a legally defined term, it is slang used by the âanimal rightsâ community to denigrate any and all breeders -- small or large, standard or substandard. It's the "N-word" of breeders. The phrase âpuppy millâ has been promoted in the media by the animal ârightsâ movement, people who want to end all animal ownership. It is applied indiscriminately by these fanatics to anyone who breeds dogs. 2) Those horrendous photos you see in commercials for the âHumane Societyâ are mostly outdated or a 1 in one million exception to the care given animals by breeders everywhere. The photos are intended to shock and horrify you into giving money. Any photo can be photo shopped into looking really bad. Be skeptical. If you didnât see it with your own eyes take it with a grain of salt. 3)There are three main types of breeders: Commercial, Pet and Hobby/show breeders. Every one of these can be a large-scale breeder, every one of these could be a substandard breeder. Commercial kennels are subject to state and/or federal oversight. Substandard care can be found with all types of breeders. It is about the standard of care, NOT the numbers. Most commercial breeders have state of the art kennels that meet USDA standards and the standards of their state laws. They are inspected at least yearly and must meet or exceed standards far higher than those expected of the average hobby breeder. 4)âSickâ puppies do not sell. It is counterproductive for any industry to produce a defective product and expect to stay in business. Any dog can have health issues. Its about Mother Nature NOT lack of care or numbers. 5) Passing laws intended to outlaw âpuppy millsâ will not solve any problem. Most substandard breeders are already in violation of existing laws. New, stricter laws will only affect those who are already working to follow the laws. The only way to have any effect is to enforce the laws that are already on the books. 6) All the hobby breeders in this country cannot produce enough puppies to meet the demands of the American market. A shelter dog is NOT for every family. Shelter dogs come with baggage that can require an EXPERIENCED owner. 7) BREEDERS are NOT responsible for the presence of dogs in shelters. We have a problem with a lack of responsible ownership, poor shelter management and poor pet distribution. Education is the key to improvement in this area. For more information: http://www.cfodconline.org/ http://www.petpac.net/ http://www.exposeanimalrights.com/ www.naiaonline.org www.humanewatch.org www.saveourdogs.net www.nathanwinograd.com www.saova.org
whose dogs are in the video.. if you were not allowed to film the dogs in questions whose dogs did you film,? since when is it illegal to ship a dog across a state line for auction or any other lawful purpose?
Sounds like a "with hunt" to me.. neighbors don like the condition of the property.. hmm I wonder if tit will be condemned and "auctioned" to the highest bidder.. like on of the neighbors.. ya think? The idea that you have something to hide if you will not let a camera crew into your home is bordering on Nazisim..privacy and your right to it is a cornerstone of the American principle. Your station has taken this a step too far. I also would have told you to get off my property ..only I would not have been so nice
Who are the "federal agents" investigating the Beattys? What federal laws are they believed to be violatiing? The newscast mentions one of the issues is "shipping puppies across state lines for auction." Is there a state or local law against shipping dogs across state lines? A state or local law that prohibits selling dogs at auction? I have no personal knowledge of the people or the condition of their animals, just trying to understand what they are accused of. It's also not clear why the county would need a criminal warrant to conduct an inspection of the animals and kennel facilities if they have notified the owners this is necessary under state law and the owners are waiting for this to occur. The story seems a bit long on supposition and sensationalism and a bit short on clear presentation of facts.Â
 @genie the deplorable conditions not even up to the animal welfare law in the entire United States. Which means they either don't have potable water, food or their cages are not safe for them to be in. The Animal Welfare Act has the bare minimum standards for animals. If a breeder can't even give them that, they should not be in any kind of breeding .
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