BUYER BEWARE! If you have been scam'd by an Internet puppy / dog / kitten / cat breeder / seller, please take the time to read this rather lengthy writing. Factual information is presented first, followed by my personal experience, sound advice and a willingness to help you with your issues to the best of my ability.
Animal Abuse at Self-Proclaimed Rescue Facility. December 17, 2005 - source: Pet-Abuse.com/Enid Eagle/Alva Courier: A reported "animal rescue" site near Avard was raided December 17, 2005 by the Oklahoma Humane Society and Woods County Sheriff's Department. About 60 dogs were being kep in four 6 foot by 16 foot open stock trailers at a so-called animal rescue farm near Avard.
The owner, Libby Miller, was arrested on a felony count of animal cruelty, said Woods County Deputy Sheriff Steve Ward. When authorities arrived they found two puppies dead and another died enroute to the veterinarian, said Vickie Fox of the Enid Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Another woman who identified herself as a co-owner (Nan Wheatley)of the rescue arrived as the dogs were being taken away by authorities and also will have charges filed against her, Ward said.
Cynthia Armstrong of the United States Humane Society in Oklahoma City said she ha received reports on Waggin Tails Rescue, which has been under investgation for nearly a year. The group received complaints based on poor health of the dogs and the animal's living conditions. "Not only does she pose as a rescue, but she is breeding animals that are ill and many puppies sent around the U.S. are very ill. Several people who have received them have called the U.S. Humane Society for assistance on the investigation," Armstrong said.
The remaining 57 animals were taken to triage facilities in Enid and distributed to five shelters across the state that volunteered to keep the dogs throughout the trial. The humane society is stressing the felony charges be pursued. "All of the animals had lice. "I've never seen a dog with lice" said Vickie Fox, President of the Enid SPCA. "It probably has something to do with the conditions they are kept in." "We've been receiving complaints about Waggin Tails since Jauary 2005, complaints based on the poor health and conditons of the dogs" Armstrong said. Some of the complaints came from Enid SPCA. "Recently we had another situation where we were informed she was keeping animals in livestock trailers in filthy and overcrowded conditions and in freezing weather" she said.
Armstrong contacted the Wood County Sheriff's Department and Ward went to the facility to examine it, found it in violation and filed a report. Deputy Justin McOscar served the warrant and remained while the animals were being taken away. "We will press for a felony. She has done it for several years, she advertises over the Internet" Armstrong said.
Fox said many of the animals were thin and the maority were dehydrated. Some were in poor condition and some in fair condition. The worst ones were kept at Enid SPCA. "Two of the puppies were already dead and one of them had been cannibalized by the other dogs", she said. The dogs were kept in open stock trailers, which were partially covered, but were open to the rain and snow. "I saw some food in bowls, but I didn't see any water" Fox said. Ward said Miller was in Avard previously and left due to what he called "public sentiment".
She then moved to Wynoka where she evantually faced municipal charges for failure to care for animals, and recently returned to Avard. Fox said the dogs were emaciated, living in the stock trailers with straw on the bottom.
Update - Feb 16, 06 : Source: Alva Review Courier Assistant District Attorney Brian Mitechell filed additional felony charges last week inthe Woods County District Court regarding the animal cruelty arreast back in December 2005. The original charges for Elizabeth A Miller, 36, of Avard, were amended on Feb. 9 to include five additional felony charges of animal cruelty. Additionally, six charges of animal cruelty were filed agaisnt Nana Marie Wheatley, 51, of Avard.
The charges against Wheatley and Miller list six specific dogs which were held in stock trailers without adequate shelter, food and water. The affidavid accompanying Wheatley's charges stated that the crime of 60 counts of cruelty to animals has been committe. Miller's amended affidavid stated that 59 counts of cruelty to animals were committed in addition tothe one in which she was already charged.
According to the new affidavit, Wheatley identified herself as a partner in Waggin' Tails Rescue with Elizabeth Miller. The affidavit further states that WSCO Deputy Steven Ward spoke with Vicky Fox of the Enid SPCA and that all of the dogs had lice. Fox stated in the affidavit that lice infestations are very uncommon for dogs, and also that most of the dogs were malnourished and dehydrated.
The dogs also had internal and external parasites. Two of the 60 dogs found in the stock trailers were dead and one of them had been cannibalized by other dogs. A third dog died shortly after the Humane Socity took posession of the dogs. During the removal of the dogs, Deputy Justin McOsker stated that he did not observe any food or water in any of the four stock trailers. Deputy McOsker also stated that the trailers were extremely overcrowded.
MY STORY : My first introduction to Libby Miller was in early September, 2005, through a website called "NextDayPets" - it was one of several rescue sites for Newfoundland puppies. I had completed an extensive search in all my local animal shelters and could only find adult Pitbulls and a few aggressive mix breeds. I checked "Want Ad" publications both from newsstands and electronically in my living area, with no positive outcome.
I was unwilling to pay for a "bred" animal as they are too many homeless animals awaiting homes - it's just a matter of finding the animal that is right for you. I did find the state of Pennsylvania to have a considerable selection of Newfoundlands for adoption, but they were not allowed to be adopted outside of a 50 mile radius - I live in upstate New York.
On NextDayPets, Waggin' Tails Rescue had pages of dogs for "adoption" - over 50 at that time. I recall being concerned at the cost of these rescues, especially from Oklahoma. In New York State, our standard adoption fee only runs as high approximately $75.00 for dogs/puppies and $45.00 for cats/kittens. Though I did not find a pure Newfoundland, she did have 5 Newf-Husky mix puppies. They were adorable babies and needed a home. I contacted Libby via the website and she began emailing me at home.
Payment of $790 plus $300 air fare was made to Ms. Miller. Though Libby requested Western Union money transfer, reputable websites warn consumers not to use this service. Libby wanted her money as soon as possible so we handled the financial transaction as quickly as possible thru PayPal.
The puppy we paid for was named Lexus by Libby. She was to be shipped to us after a "vet check". I received word from Libby within one day that Lexus would not be available for adoption due to a condition she called "twisted gut". She stated it would be several months before the puppy was well. Her offering was down to just two male puppies. We chose one she called Leo.
At the Albany International Airport in Albany, NY, animals are handled first and are received as "cargo" in a special area behind the airport. I could see the cargo "tram" and the dog carrier. I could not hear through the glass doors where I was waiting to pick him up, but as the tram entered the building, I could see the dock workers making a fuss over the crate.
My first thought was that the puppy had perished in the flight. Thankfully, such was not the case. They gave me the crate and told me to immediately take it outside. The stench was unbelievable. The crate and puppy were covered in feces, mud and urine. I recall wondering why anyone would ship a puppy from Oklahoma to New York with anything in his stomach. I put a collar and leash on him and in the shady grass area behind the cargo receiving area, gave him small amounts of water and cleaned him with baby wipes, as best as I could. He was wrapped in a towel and brought home for a bath before he was taken to be seen by my Vet.
It is my personal practice to always vet a new animal before bringing it home into my family. I have other feline and canine rescues that are now older and do not want any health issues.
Keeping in mind that Leo, now named Elijah, was a 3-month old Newfy-Husky - he only weighed 4.8 lbs. Our second rescue that came from North Carolina was a full Newfy - Savannah. She is two days older than Elijah and at 3 months, she weighed 12 lbs upon her arrival. Libby did not send enough food for us to properly change Elijah's diet over but through "networking" we were able to find enough food to start the transition and then get him on a special dog food (Eagle Pack), that gives maximum nutrition to a puppy, from puppy hood to senior. I was under the impression that we were on our way towards raising healthy, happy puppies.
Elijah was given a thorough initial physical by our Vet within two hours of his arrival, and we were given specific instructions for his immediate care. Within a few hours after returning home, he became ill. He began vomiting and had severe diarrhea. He was taken back to the vet the next day and "bags" of liquid were injected under the skin of both shoulders to try to aid his dehydration.
Analysis of a stool sample showed that he had never been wormed so he was full of common parasites and he was later diagnosed with Coccidia. He remained on Pedialyte and a diet of Gerber 1 - baby food beef, rice and hamburg with no commercial dog food. As his condition worsened, I contacted Libby several times. She replied only once that Elijah had received his last puppy shot before he was sent to us and there was no reason why he should be ill.
After that email, she would not reply to my questions. In desperation, I sent her another email asking for the history and photos of the parents - thinking perhaps something may be genetically wrong with the parents. She did not reply. I sent Libby one last email telling her that the NYS Dept of Agriculture Markets wanted the information I requested, because Elijah was so ill. Her response was that there was nothing she could provide that could help them. That was my last contact with her.
Since Elijah's arrival he remained very ill. During his second week home we consulted with another Vet and he tested Elijah for Giardia. Elijah tested positive. Due to the fact that we had two puppies, we tested Savannah for Coccidia and Giardia. She tested positive - her new brother had shared a bit too much with her. (I have documented records of proper puppy care for Savannah - she did receive her puppy shots and puppy rabies) We now had two ill puppies.
After aggressive treatments, we were able to rid both puppies of the Coccidia. I received a "blank" health certificate from Libby Miller and a "visual" sign-off sheet from her Vet. This sign-off sheet is what I call a "yup this is the puppy". It states his age, sex and color markings. Not exactly what I would consider helpful to a seriously ill puppy. This same "sign-off" sheet from her Vet was presented to Delta Airlines and they "assumed" to be "health papers" in good order. Elijah traveled through three major airports, his travel crate being handled six times and he was carrying an infectious disease - both to animals and humans!
To this date, we are still battling the Giardia. We have been using the most common medications and retesting both puppies after three weeks - they are still coming back positive. Although they eliminate in a separate area that can be sterilized with Clorox/wire brush and hot water (it is winter here in New York and not an easy task), and their water dishes/food dishes are sterilized, they are still battling the Giardia. At this writing we have received most generous and welcome help from one of the Vets at the Avard SPCA and Oklahoma Univeristy.
It has been determined that the strain of Giardia they have is not what is seen in New York (called "Beaver Fever"). This strain of Giardia is prevelent in Oklahoma due to high water tables and extensive cattle/horse population. Water is easily contaminated around wells of folks who live outside the city limits of public water. As our saga continues, it solidifies my commitment to push for justice to punish people like Libby Miller and Nan Wheatley.
I find the mindset of Oklahoma officials barbaric and feel very sad for the people who relentlessly work within the SPCA and animal shelters - those people who work desperately to save animals that a large population of Oklahoma apparently should not even be exposed to. It makes me wonder how they treat their children. Do they kick their children to the curb also?
A Word of Advice : Source: Enid Humane Society Here are the rules for those of us who will continue to adopt/purchase/rescue family pets from the Internet: Perspective adoptors should contact local reputable shelters to get a list of criteria BEFORE they adopt from someone. The local police department will tell people who a reputable shelter is.
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER adopt from someone who won't:
A. give you the name and number of the vet that examined the animal so you can verify the vaccinations and health check
B. provide you with a valid breeder's license, or a copy of their non-profit status approval from the IRS.
C. send, in advance, a copy of the animals health record and vet certificate.
D. allow you to do a site visit to their facility, or let a shelter or law enforcement rep do a site visit to the shelter.
E. never allow a breeder to meet you some where to transfer the animal. I know, it sounds like alot, but rules like these put people like Libby Miller out of business. If these were followed, how many successful adoptions do you think Libby Miller would have transacted?
SUMMARY : Be wary of sellers who insist on Western Union Money Grams - you might as well burn your money. Be cautious of "Puppy Escrow" offers. This appears to be a new fad - soon to be on my investigation list. I also caution you to stay away from PuppyFind.com - so far my own research and the complaints on this site indicate they are BAD NEWS. They are my next quest. I have also found Sell Classifieds to be questionable but have yet to investigate further - I would suggest staying away from them for now.
OFFER : As this is the first time I have been on this site and have been given much welcomed advice from the Editor - It is my intention, somehow, to help anyone who has been in any situation where there is animal abuse, loss of animal life or no receipt of animal purchased. My search resources continue to build and I can only put away one "bad apple" at a time! As I cannot put my email address in this message, please, if you need help, ask the Editor to put us together - perhaps this site can help us exchange information and get in touch.
Maggie
Troy, New York
U.S.A.