Suncoast Animal League Executive Director Rick Chaboudy, center, oversees the removal of dogs and puppies from wire cages where they were kept.
TARPON SPRINGS – More than 100 dogs and puppies rescued from what was described as deplorable conditions at a north county home used as a breeding facility are recovering, though several are suffering from a variety of health problems.
Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies, Florida Department of Agriculture employees and the Suncoast Animal League on April 7 seized the Pomeranians, Yorkies and Maltese from a home at 339 Ranch Road in unincorporated Tarpon Springs.
Suncoast Animal League Executive Director Rick Chaboudy, who has seen most everything imaginable in his many years of animal rescue work, was shocked.
“We pulled up to a beautiful home with a perfectly manicured yard and I thought this must be the wrong place,” Chaboudy said. “When you opened the door into the room where the adult dogs were kept, there was the most horrible smell you could ever imagine. This was no different than the backwoods puppy mills you saw on ‘Oprah’ and other shows.”
Chaboudy said the dogs were kept in small, wire cages, with up to eight dogs crammed into 6-foot long cages. Most were covered in feces and urine. The food in the cages also was covered in feces, and the dogs were not allowed out to exercise.
The owner of the home, 69-year-old Teresita Hughes, pleaded for mercy, Chaboudy said.
“She said the usual ‘I love them, I love them’ but when we told her we were going to take the dogs, then she started negotiating to keep the young ones," Chaboudy said. "All of a sudden she didn’t love the old ones so much anymore ... it’s all about the money she could make.”
The dogs are advertised on Hughes’ Web site for sale prices ranging from $1,500 for males to up to $3,000 for females.
Hughes refused to sign over permanent custody of the dogs to the Suncoast Animal League, so the organization will go to court to seek custody.
In the meantime, the dogs and puppies, ranging in age from a few days old to 8 years old, are being cared for at the Suncoast Animal League, Westlake Animal Hospital in Tarpon Springs, Sheldegren Kennels and in foster homes.
Several have required emergency medical care.
“We’ve seen congestive heart failure, some are in oxygen cages, one has a broken leg which has been set, pneumonia and other respiratory problems,” said Chaboudy.
The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case. Hughes potentially faces felony animal cruelty charges.
Chaboudy advises that anyone interested in adopting the dogs should keep checking the Suncoast Animal League Web site for updates. Much-needed donations to help with the expenses associated with the dogs’ care also can be made at www.suncoastanimalleague.net.
![[Image]](/content_images/040908_pets-01.jpg)
