Poodles rescued from what officials said was 'puppy mill' in North Carolina
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

Donna Ezell of Carolina Poodle Rescue shows off two toy poodles. The one on the left was rescued from a location in Raleigh, N.C.

Approximately 30 toy poodles have found new homes in Gaffney after being rescued by authorities from a "puppy mill" in North Carolina.

A few weeks ago, Donna Ezell and members of the Carolina Poodle Rescue made their way to Raleigh, N.C., to pick up the animals that were taken from their owner by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). According to Ezell, it was easy to tell why.

"Animal Control received information about this case and thought it was in its best interest to look into the issue," Ezell said. "The woman who was in care of the dogs simply had too many to look after. It was in the dogs' best interest to be taken out of her home."

The dogs were under the care of 77-year-old Janie Conyers of Raleigh, N.C., formerly an American Kennel Club (AKC) champion breeder.

"(Conyers) had an excellent reputation as a breeder but it seemed in recent years that she became a bit overwhelmed," Ezell said.

Law enforcement officials in Wake County, N.C., said they found 103 toy poodles in October at Conyers' residence living in conditions detrimental to their health. According to officials, some of the dogs "were covered in excrement, dripping wet with urine." There were also reports of injuries to the canines including broken jaws, dental disease, corneal ulcers and cataracts as well as urine and fecal scalding.

"Her love for animals was unquestioned... she just got in over her head," Ezell said. "(Conyers) could not see the damage she was doing with her own eyes. It just got to the point to where things got out of control and she was forced to give them up."

Conyers officially released the animals into ALDF custody in December, agreeing never to own or work with animals in the future in addition to allowing animal control officers to visit her home to make sure she is complying with the terms of the agreement.

Representatives from the animal shelter, after securing help from the Humane Society of Cherokee County, made their way to the Tar Heel State to pick up the canines, who Ezell said were in definite need of love.

"When you have dogs that are scared and small it is pretty easy to fall in love with them," Ezell said. "The primary reason is because the dogs are already looking for love."

Ezell and her staff are working around the clock to get the canines back on their feet so they can eventually be adopted. The animal rescue shelter recently received physical releases for dogs and papers necessary for the spaying and neutering of the animals.

"We are starting the process of finding these guys homes right now," Ezell said. "There are already a bunch of people interested."