Field Notes | The Humane Society of the United States

Field Notes | The Humane Society of the United States

Field Notes Four Days of Action for Dogs by Scotlund Haisley In the past four days our Animal Rescue Team has rescued dogs from puppy mills in four states—ushering more than 500 dogs from a life of confinement and misery into a world of compassion and safety. This unprecedented rally of action is part of The Humane Society of the United States’ ongoing mission to wipe out the cruel puppy mill industry. The past few days have been both mentally and physically exhausting, but our team has buckled down for the sake of the animals. It's our devotion to eradicating animal suffering that allows us to continue day after day. Where it Began This particular series of rescues started over the weekend in North Carolina. Specialists from throughout the organization assisted with the rescue of more than 150 dogs from a Wilson County puppy mills. After settling the 150 North Carolina dogs with local rescue groups, our team drove on to the next rescue location. After hours of driving for some team members, and cross-country flights for others, we reconvened in Dickson County, Tenn., for our second rescue mission in 48 hours. Onto Tennessee On this property we found approximately 50 small-to-medium-breed dogs living in cramped, filthy conditions. This second rescue was smaller but no less pivotal in the lives of the dogs we freed that day. After hours in the field, the Tennessee rescue wrapped up around 6 p.m. Monday. By this time, our bodies ached, and we was covered in filth from head to toe. All we could think of was taking a hot shower, changing out of our dirty clothes and crashing for the night. But just as we were about to pull into the hotel, I received a call for help. An animal control officer in Tupelo, Miss., had gained access to an 81-dog puppy mill but had no resources to remove or shelter the dogs. No Rest, Yet I turned to my exhausted team and asked them if it was possible for us to press on and complete another rescue that very night. No one so much as batted an eye before agreeing. We arrived at the Miss. puppy mill at midnight. After an entire day of grueling work in the field and a six-hour drive, our energy was waning. But the sight of the truly hellish conditions at this canine factory farm immediately recharged our batteries. Maybe it was the late night hour, or the skulls of dead animals that littered the property. Whatever it was, this mill was truly disturbing. We rescued more than 170 dogs from the S.D. property.© Paul Turner/The HSUS The approximately 80 dogs were kept in small wire cages caked in feces that looked like it had built up for months. Many of the dogs suffered from infected cuts on their legs and paws where their feet slipped through the rusted wire crates. We made our way through the dark rows of cages, turning the rusty locks and taking these dogs out of their nightmare world once and for all. I made a promise to each of them there in the middle of the night that daybreak would usher in a whole new life. Forced breeding and constant confinement would be replaced by human compassion and comfort. Soldiering On Our team completed this rescue operation just hours before we were scheduled to fly out to our fourth puppy mill raid. Bleary-eyed and stooped, we made our way to the airport. I barely had time to absorb the enormity of the past 48 hours before falling into a coma-like slumber on the plane. When I awoke, we had arrived in South Dakota. Once in Sioux Falls, we were grateful to be able to take an evening to rest before the next morning’s raid. In South Dakota More than 170 dogs, mainly German shorthair pointers and Weimaraners, were being housed in dilapidated barns throughout the property. Despite the morning sun, we had to use flashlights inside the dark, dank structures just to locate all of the dogs. I was shocked when we heard whimpering coming from the closed door of a grain silo. We found 35 puppies entombed in the pitch-black silo, with no food or water. The food and water we did see on the property was covered in mud, mold and flies. Many of the dogs suffered from parasite infestation as well as skin and eye infections. The dogs leapt against their wire enclosures, paws extended through the grates. Their eyes begged us to hurry up and get them out. Those who were too weak to jump simply seemed to ask “what took you so long?” We rushed one dog, covered in flies and what looked like bullet wounds, to the emergency hospital. After several hours of combing the property, we had collected all of the evidence from the scene and removed every dog. It was only after they were safely transported to the emergency shelter that our collective team could step back and think about the massive amount of suffering we had witnessed—and thankfully ended—over the past few days. Sigh of Relief Tonight I reflect mostly on the lives we saved during this multi-state rescue mission. But I also think of the dedicated individuals, equipment and resources at HSUS that made the past few days of rescue possible. From undercover agents in our investigations department to dedicated state directors pushing for crucial legislation, we're dedicated to reform, education and action on all fronts. Even our public relations team plays a critical role in changing these animals' lives. The media coverage that these deployments generate is yet another opportunity to strike at the root of the puppy mill problem. The average person simply does not know that the dogs they see in pet stores or for sale on websites most likely came from the sort of abusive puppy mills that we have helped to shutter this week. Each raid is an opportunity to educate thousands of area residents that if they buy a dog from a pet store or online broker, they are part of the puppy mill problem. It is truly a gift to be part of an organization with such an incredible impact on animal welfare.