3/13/09 Burns
By Doug Johnson
The Oregon Humane Society says it's one of the largest puppy mill rescues in Oregon history. Almost 200 dogs found, 60 roaming free, the rest in cages on one man's property, sharing just one bag of food amongst themselves.
"There were dogs that lived in old abandoned trailers, dogs that were stuffed into wired cages, just way too many dogs," says Scott Beckstead with the United States Humane Society, who was at the puppy mill on Friday.
The dogs were discovered by the Harney County Sheriff's Office about sixteen miles east of Burns on Palamino Lane. Members with both the Oregon and the United States Humane Society were on scene with Harney County Sheriff deputies earlier Friday. Beckstead said things were as bad as it gets.
"We witnessed random breedings of dogs all day," Beckstead says.
One hundred and eighty seven of the dogs were taken to Portland on Friday, passing through Prineville. Animal welfare officials say most of the dogs appear to be in good health. The dog's owner, fifty-seven year-old Ted Tellefson is facing animal neglect charges. But the Harney County Sheriff's Office will let him keep about twenty of the older dogs. Others not going to Portland, will be sold or euthanized. The US Humane Society says this raid shows why new legislation is needed. Currently Oregon has no statewide laws to regulate puppy mills.
"Law enforcement would have even stronger tools to take care of a situation like this, and actually to prevent one from happening in the first place," Beckstead says.
Comments
Burns Puppy Mill Raid
If people STOP buying puppies like groceries these places will cease to exist. That’s all it will take…
Take your time, do your research on your chosen type of dog. If you don’t have a particular need for a purebred, then adopt from a shelter. If your choice is a purebred, try a rescue or a reputable breeder.
What is a reputable breeder you may ask. Well for one thing they probably are a member of the parent club for their breed. Secondly, they’re not just going to hand over a puppy for money. They will probably want to interview you or have you fill out an application. Some people get annoyed with this, but to the reputable breeder, this is NOT just a product, it’s a living thing and they take responsibility for it for its whole life. Expect to sign a contract stating that you will return the dog to the breeder if at any time you are unable to care for it.
If everyone did this then there would be no demand for puppy mills to supply. Legislation will not help, enforcing the current laws that relate to the treatment of animals will, and education of the consumer will help the most.
Please feel free to forward this in its enirety if you would like to educate anyone about the way to stop puppy mills.
We bought dogs from this guy in 2000 and 2001
I'm sick! We purchased two female golden retrievers from this guy in 2000 and 2001. In 2000, he lived in LaPine, and brought his litter to Detroit Lake to show to prospective buyers (we live in Salem). Everything seemed great - he was knowledgeable, answered all questions, and the puppies and mother were in great health. That dog, Ruby, has been exceptionally well behaved and in excellent health. Sometime thereafter he moved to Burns. We decided to get a second Golden and turned to Ted again, given the success of the first dog. He was much "weirder" this time, showing her to us in Bend at the same time he was showing an older litter, when she was about 5 weeks old, but without either parent. We made a deposit with an agreement to pick her up in 3-4 weeks. We had an useasy feeling, but Ruby was such a great dog, we stuck with our committment. After several phone calls, he finally met us on the road to his place claiming we couldn't get in all the way to his place due to heavy snow to deliver our second Golden, Cricket. She was afraid of ANYTHING big, including people right from the start, even while we picked her up (in November). She smelled like a pig pen. At 8 months she was diagnosed with hip displasia. She has been labeled by some as "autistic." We love her just as much as Ruby and have poured money into a diet we've developed with help from experts and books over time, along with several supplements. She's had PT, acupuncture, and 2 arthroscopic shoulder surgeries. She loves us in return, and still continues to get better with loving other people like a typical Golden. Her health is not as good as Ruby's, but she's able to do some running with us, loves to chase balls, and backpacks and hikes with us enthusiastically. She is a joy in our lives, and I hope she has many years left.
I tell my story for the lessons we've learned! SEE the place you're getting your dog from! See the parents! Trust your insticts! I guess I'm glad we're the ones to get Cricket so she could get the care she's had, but . . . how many others have had a painful or shortened life. Please Humane Society, stick it to this guy!!
Foster care for these dogs
Now imagine dogs being raised with very little food, no vet care, being thrown around, and sick with severe round/whip/hook/tape, Giardia, Coccidia, and your immune system is affected. In addition, imagine a puppy mill dog being so fearful of indoors since they lived outdoors their entire life that they tried to jump through your windws to escape. That's what we have faced with our fosters from this puppy mill. Mr. Tellefson has a history of animal abuse and neglect and we are now gathering information to make charges stick! If you have bought a dog from him or have information please email us at saveourshibas@hotmail.com and visit our website at http://www.myspace.com/saveourshibas. There are victims out there that have paid thousand of dollars for the damage that he caused by running a commercial puppy mill in Oregon! As Oregonians, we will not tolerate puppy millers and animal abuse!
hundred and eighty seven of the dogs
One hundred and eighty seven of the dogs were taken to Portland on Friday, passing through Prineville. Animal welfare officials say most of the dogs appear to be in good health. The dog's owner, fifty-seven year-old Ted Tellefson is facing animal neglect charges. But the Harney County Sheriff's Office will let him keep about twenty of the older dogs. Others not going to Portland, will be sold or euthanized. The US Humane Society says this raid shows why new legislation is needed. Currently Oregon has no statewide laws to regulate puppy mills.
dog houses