HOUSTON -- Eighty-five animals were rescued from what authorities described as a “quintessential puppy mill.”
It happened after animal cruelty investigators with Constable Precinct 6 traveled from Houston to Raymar Kennels in Teneha.
Deputies said they weren't just trying to issue a search warrant; they were also trying to check on the welfare of 78-year-old Mary Crane, the kennel’s proprietor.
11 News first met Crane in Dec. 2009, following up on a tip from a viewer. Crane claimed she was a veterinarian.
“My dogs are my family, so I take care of them like they're my children,” she said.
11 News purchased two miniature dachshund puppies from Crane for $125 each and took them to the Houston Humane Society where they were evaluated by Dr. Tim Harkness.
Harkness said he found the puppies were infested with internal parasites, fleas and an early mange smell.
“I think this is purely for profit,” he said about Crane’s operation. “Purely for monetary gain and has nothing to do with compassion for the animals.”
During the search of Crane’s property, authorities said they found a kennel covered in feces from floor to ceiling and animals breeding even as rescuers attempted to take them to safety.
“Those dogs are in horrible shape. Standing in their own feces. There's no circulation of air,” Harkness said. “I can't even describe it; it's so bad in there.”
Crane said her kennel was doing business with a Houston pet store.
“Pet City in Houston buys everything that I raise, and have for over five years,” she said.
However, Pet City’s owner, Frank Stack, said that relationship has ended.
“She was, in the beginning, well-organized,” he said. “Puppies were cleaned and presented exceptionally well.”
Stack said when Crane's health started to decline, so did the condition of her animals and he stopped dealing with her almost a year ago.
There are no laws in Texas regulating commercial breeders, no licenses or inspections required.
11 News showed video of Crane's operation to State Rep. Senfronia Thompson, who introduced legislation last session that would have cracked down on puppy mills, but the bill was defeated in the state Senate.
“These are little slave animals,” Thompson said. “They are absolutely slaves.”
The animals are now in the custody of the Houston Humane Society.
http://www.houstonhumane.org/
