Authorities raid dog breeding operation

CHANDLER, Okla. (AP) _ Authorities have raided a dog breeding operation on a city manager's land in which puppies were living in squalid conditions. <br/><br/>Homes have been found for the 20 dogs,

Tuesday, March 28th 2006, 1:44 pm

By: News On 6

CHANDLER, Okla. (AP) _ Authorities have raided a dog breeding operation on a city manager's land in which puppies were living in squalid conditions.

Homes have been found for the 20 dogs, many of them pure breeds, that were seized from a small windowless garage near Cow Bell Lake, Humane Society spokeswoman Connie Bly said Tuesday.

The dogs were jammed in feces-covered cages. They were without food.

Lincoln County Assistant District Attorney Clayton Niemeyer said the sheriff's office and the Humane Society did not seek criminal charges against Chandler City Manager Reuben Pulis.

``He has done everything we have recommended,'' Bly said. She said he has agreed to close the operation and clean up debris left behind.

Pulis did not return telephone calls Tuesday.

Chandler Mayor Carl Reherman said Pulis' future employment with the city, which is about 30 miles east of Oklahoma City, would be discussed at the next City Council meeting.

The dog breeding operation was reported to the sheriff's department by motorcyclists who rode by the garage, smelled animal waste and discovered the neglected dogs. The breeds of the dogs that were recovered included Chihuahua, Maltese, Chinese Crested and Bichon Frise.

``They were in tiny cages,'' Bly said. ``When we brought these dogs to our animal runs, they just ran for about two hours.''

``There was no ventilation, just a small walk-through door in front.''

``There was trash everywhere.''

Bly said puppy mills were a problem in the area.

``I've got four that I'm watching now and I'm fixing to close one in Shawnee,'' she said.

``It's everywhere. People start out raising quality puppies and before you know it, they get overwhelmed.''