Faces of a Puppy Mill

Animal Rescue - Sophia
Sophia

Animal Rescue - Sophia
Sophia

Animal Rescue - Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell

Animal Rescue - Tinkerbell
Tinkerbell

Janice, "Sophia" & "Tinker Bell"

Suncoast Animal League volunteer Janice Capra participated in the rescue at Teresita Hughes' home on April 7, 2008. Since that day, she has fostered two of the rescued Pomeranians which she named "Sophia" and "Tinker Bell." As a vet tech for a local veterinary office, she is well aware of the medical problems these dogs have endured, and the great lengths involved in getting each dog healthy. Below is a letter Ms. Capra wrote to Pinellas County State Attorney Bernie McCabe requesting Ms. Hughes be prosecuted for animal abuse.

State Attorney's Office
Attn: Bernie McCabe
P.O. Box 5028
Clearwater, Fl. 33758

May 31, 2008

Dear Mr. McCabe,

I am writing you on behalf of the 121 dogs removed from Mrs. Teresita Hughes's house on April 7, 2008 and for the puppies born since. I am a volunteer with the Suncoast Animal League and I was called to assist in the removal of the dogs so I have first hand knowledge of the deplorable condition they were in.

I want to tell you about two of the Pomeranians I am fostering. Since I work for a veterinarian, I told Suncoast Animal League that I would take care of their medical needs. Sophia, the older of the two, had a hernia that had pushed its way up into her uterus. Had Mrs. Hughes tried to breed her again, she would have died. Sophia had the hernia removed. She also had a mammary tumor so one of her breast had to be removed. On top of that, her teeth were a grade 5 which on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 is the worst. As a result of not having any previous dental care, Sophia lost several teeth because they had just rotted away in her mouth. Her hair was coarse and dirty. I had her vaccinated, tested for heartworms, teeth cleaned and I have given her flea and heartworm preventative monthly. She's been bathed and groomed. Tinker Bell, the younger of the two, suffered yeast infection in her two ears. She had a grade 5 dental. She was vaccinated, tested for heartworms, had her teeth cleaned and has received flea and heartworm preventive monthly. Her ear problem will be a continuous problem that will require her ears to be flushed twice a week. She too has been bathed and groomed.

In addition to all the medical problems these dogs have experienced, let's not forget all the physiological and social problems these dogs have. Most are very timid. They did not know how to walk on a leash. None were house broken. They were startled by everyday noises. They had no idea what a toy was or how to play. Yet despite all this, most of the dogs have thrived on the love and care they have received since being removed from their tiny prisons.

To allow these dogs to get in such deplorable condition is criminal. Then to keep breeding these dogs over and over, selling their pups for astronomical prices to families who have been deceived into thinking they are getting top quality puppies from champion parents is fraudulent!

Breeders like Mrs. Hughes have to be stopped. We as a community need to send a message to these puppy mill breeders that there are strong consequences for neglecting your pets. No more! Mrs. Hughes should be charged with felony animal abuse and lose custody of the dogs removed on April 7, 2008. Further more, I strongly feel that she should never be allowed to have pets nor should she be allowed to present herself as a breeder. I hope that you, as State Attorney, will be the voice of the people and say this will stop here. That you will prosecute Teresita Hughes to the fullest extent that the law will allow.

Respectfully yours,

Janice Capra
Volunteer, Foster Parent
Suncoast Animal League