MADISON COUNTY, Ark. — Nearly 300 dogs and puppies were rescued from what officials believe was a puppy mill in Arkansas.
On a property just east of Elkins, hundreds of dogs — rom chihuahuas to German shepherds — were found in terrible living conditions.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office took homeowner Joyce Johnson into custody.
They said she’s facing two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and has already been released without bond.
Humane Society coordinator Amanda Gossom said in Arkansas there are no laws against commercial breeding.
“A puppy mill is what’s considered a commercial breeding facility where dogs are bred constantly to maximize profit, and oftentimes the welfare and care of the dogs is kind of pushed aside in order to maximize profits,” Gossom said.
But she said it crosses the line when animals are being neglected.
“Most the time the dogs don’t really receive veterinary care, they don’t get much socialization, they don’t really ever get to touch grass for that matter, so it’s very sad for them, and we are very lucky today to be here,” Gossom said.
Several neighbors told KFSM they’ve called on this exact address before, and members with the Humane Society said they actually got the tip on their hotline in December, but they haven’t been able to make the bust until now.
“A lot of them have injuries, a lot of lack of food, water, just very deplorable living conditions,” Jessica Lauginiger with the Humane Society said.
Lauginiger said around 40 people were called in today to get all the animals out of eight sheds and the house.
“Most agencies can’t take in several hundred animals, and we understand that,” she said. “And that’s why we come in and we’re here as a resource for them.”
And she said there’s evidence Johnson was making a profit.
“She was selling, there was a website that says she was selling online from what we were speaking to her about this morning. There’s a flea market in Texas she would sell at,” Lauginiger said.
The dogs will now go to an undisclosed location for treatment. Lauginiger said they just want a happy ending.
“Seeing the dogs at the end, once they’re fixed up and they’re in that home, it makes everything worth it.”
