Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Calhoun woman arrested, accused of running 'puppy mill'

By WILL HOBSON / News Herald Writer

"...Dozens of high-pitched barks pierced the air. A herd of miniature goats ran laps around an old, white school bus. The acrid odor of feces and urine wafted out of the dilapidated white house, and the barks grew louder each time the door opened.

This was the scene outside the home of Beth Hall, a 59-year-old Calhoun County woman arrested Friday morning on a charge of felony cruelty to animals. Bay County Animal Control (BCAC) was called in by the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office to assist with the raid on the alleged puppy mill. Hall shared the one-bedroom home and small, fenced-in yard with 89 Chihuahuas, five horses and 16 goats, said BCAC Director Jim Crosby.

"The conditions were horrible," Crosby said. "The puppies were fed, but the place is caked in feces and urine. She had too many animals for one person to reasonably care for. This is a high-volume, substandard commercial breeder, aka, a puppy mill."..."  More