« Ind. Decisions - Identifying the Articles of the Indiana Constitution [Updated] | Main | Ind. Decisions - "Attorney fees, treble damages to be sought by state in sidewalk case" »
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Ind. Law - "Puppy Mill Busted: Dogs taken from Harrison County farm to New Albany warehouse"
Matt Thacker of the New Albany News & Tribune reports today in a long story that begins:
Approximately 240 dogs were seized from an alleged “puppy mill” in Harrison County on Tuesday and were taken to an emergency shelter set up at a warehouse in New Albany.More from the story:
With a new state law restricting “puppy mills” not going into effect until next month, the Indiana Attorney General’s office was able to obtain a search warrant to raid the farm due to suspected tax evasion by the property owners.The warrant was executed at two adjoining properties, known as the Breezy Valley Dairy Farm, at 8605 Valley City Mauckport SW in Mauckport. The properties are owned by Virginia Garwood.
The Tribune was the first media allowed inside the shelter as the dogs were being evaluated by veterinarians for diseases and other health conditions.
Investigators from the attorney general’s office, Department of Revenue and the Indiana State Police served a search warrant that was signed by a Marion County judge on Friday. Approximately 60 volunteers from the Humane Society of the United States’ Emergency Services department and the Humane Society of Missouri removed the dogs from the property and transported them to New Albany.
The seized animals were taken to a warehouse at 1420 East Main St. in New Albany where they were kept in 180 crates donated by PetSmart to the attorney general’s office.Here is a story in the LCJ reported by Harold J. Adams.“They should be ready to go to other homes,” Crump said. “Some will need some training. They’re just not used to being around other people.”
The dogs will be taken to humane societies for adoption in Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri.
David Hall, director of the New Albany-Floyd County Animal Shelter, said about $80,000 worth of supplies were donated by PetSmart Charities to the attorney general’s office. The wire crates, dog food and medical supplies can be used in future “puppy mill” raids, he said.
Hall said he was honored that the humane society decided to set up the shelter in Floyd County.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller held a press conference at the Culbertson Mansion in New Albany Tuesday afternoon to announce the seizure. He described the conditions of the farm as “squalid.”
Zoeller alleges that Garwood and her daughter, Kristen Garwood, sold the puppies, but failed to collect or remit sales taxes to the state of Indiana. Crump said they were being sold for $200 to $400.
On behalf of the Department of Revenue, the attorney general’s office filed a tax “jeopardy assessment” against the Garwoods for $132,440. Zoeller said that will allow them to seize personal property in order to recoup the money.
The two women nor the Breezy Valley Dairy Farm registered as a retail merchant in Indiana or ever registered to do business in the state. Department of Revenue records showed neither woman has ever remitted sales tax.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on June 3, 2009 01:13 PM
Posted to Indiana Law