Always Adopt: Breeders Charged With 100+ Counts of Cruelty to Animals

An Alabama police department charged two people with more than 100 counts of cruelty to animals after busting an illegal animal-breeding operation.

Dothan, Alabama, investigators worked with animal services officers to rescue 65 dogs and 16 exotic birds from the site. The bust happened after authorities followed up on a call in reference to a cruelty-to-animals complaint.

The photos show dogs in filthy cages caked with feces and dirt. You can view all the images on the Dothan Police Department’s Facebook page.

According to city jail documents, one offender was charged with 23 counts of felony aggravated cruelty to animals and 27 charges of animal abuse. The other was charged with 78 counts of cruelty to animals.

Dothan Police Chief Steve Parrish said that all the dogs are doing well despite coming from such deplorable conditions.

“It is a sad situation when animals suffer from cruelty situations and abuse,” Parrish stated in a local report. “An animal can’t speak up to protect themselves—it is up to us.” He added that he believes all the dogs seized from the facility will find loving homes.

Licensed or illegal, breeding animals is always irresponsible and cruel.

Breeders, pet shops, and the people who buy from them are responsible for the more than 6 million animals abandoned at shelters every year in the U.S., roughly half of whom are euthanized for lack of good homes. Millions of animals sit in shelters just dying for a caring person who has the resources and time to adopt them. To breed even more animals when so many already need homes is shameful.

Adopt—Don’t Shop!

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