Puppy mill pair fined

[Nikko]

This is just outside the town that I work at. Poor babies!


A former Morden-area couple have been ordered to pay more than $18,000 in fines and court costs for operating a filthy puppy mill where animals were found sick and malnourished.
In addition to fines, Helen and John Wiebe were prohibited from owning animals for five years.
Judge Heather Pullan rejected a defence request that the couple be allowed to keep one dog as a pet.
Manitoba Agriculture inspectors were called to the couple's farm and licensed breeding facility in March 2007 after receiving reports of unsanitary conditions.
Inspectors found large feces accumulations both inside the kennels and out, inadequate or non-existent bedding, and unsatisfactory ventilation.
Of 21 dogs seized from the farm, eight required immediate medical attention. Others were thin and malnourished. Two puppies died a short time after they were seized.



“It was a shameful display of animals held for a commercial purpose,” said Crown attorney Sean Brennan.
Defence lawyer Madelaine Low said the couple found themselves in dire financial straits following repeated setbacks in the farming sector and “standards started to slip.”
“They had good intentions,” Low said. “This was not a case of intentional cruelty or blatant disregard.”
Low said John Wiebe moved to Alberta to find work, leaving Helen to operate the breeding operation on her own.
“There was lots of pressure on them both,” Low said. “Helen was diagnosed with depression prior to the seizure and this played a large role in her not being able to keep up with chores and maintain the premises.”
The couple and one adult son now live in Alberta and are still trying to sell their Morden-area farm.
Helen Wiebe said she was “shocked” to see pictures taken by officials prior to seizing the animals.
“I love animals ... It’s an embarrassment,” she said.
John Wiebe said he didn’t realize just how bad things had become after he moved to Alberta for work.
“When you saw the animals running around, you never would have thought there was something wrong,” he said. “It’s not who we are. Things got out of hand. We are terribly sorry.”


Article is from this site: http://www.mordentimes.com/News/383993.html


If they couldn't afford to feed them and give them proper care, they should've found homes for the one's they had and stopped breeding.

[pinkie1205]

I agree and find it sad that they said they didn't realize anything was wrong until it was too late....

Hello, all the poop and dogs starting to get thin should have been the first sign. Geez, not giving them proper food and bedding is THEIR fault, it's nothing that came from things getting out of control, that is something that the owners are totally responsible for.

[marmilla]

I would give up my own bed before my pup went without one. I would give up my own food! I don't understand people sometimes. I'm sure they could have even given away the dogs for free... Depression is no excuse. There are people with much more involved disabilities that know the difference between right and wrong. Shame on them!

[Nikko]

I agree with both of you. I'm glad they aren't allowed pets for 5 years, but I think it should be longer than that.

[bosco]

They should just not allow them to have dogs anymore. Owning an animal is a privilege, not a necessity. Obviously, they can't handle the responsibility.

[Vanilla_Rat]

The woman's depression is an excuse!
When the poop starts piling up and dogs start looking skinny and when they don't have bedding...well there is something wrong.I know depressed people with pets and they take awesome care of their animals.That is NO excuse! To me it seems as if they just wanted to look innocent.

[CaliforniaGirl]

Im glad at least some action was taken against them, people like that should not be allowed to own animals

[SimbasMommy]

im glad action was taken as welll. there are so many animal cases now where people arent charged or fined. i dont know how you wouldnt notice conditions in your breeding establishment unless you didnt care :\

[rachael24]

Give them the chair!! No seriously, its nice to see action was taken here.

[TheFancyFerret]

When they saw that things were getting out of hand they should have done something about it. They could have adopted some of the animals out to new homes to lessen the burden. Or they could have surrendered them to a shelter. Instead they did nothing, so in my opinion they deserve the penalty they were given.