Something is missing in this story

[Kat09Tails]

http://www.examiner.com/article/surr...y-luzerne-spca

I'm missing where the animal cruelty is. Having a cubic assload of chihuahuas in otherwise good health to my knowledge isn't animal cruelty. Now - I - couldn't do it but I'm having a hard time figuring this story out.

Worst case of animal hoarding they've ever seen but the dogs were in good shape and well socialized?

[AdrianneIsabel]

Yeah... Denis and I were wondering too...

[lizzybeth727]

According to newyorkdailynews.com the owners did surrender all of the dogs voluntarily, and as the dogs were checked by veterinarians, authorities did not find any serious health issues. Some suffered from minor eye, teeth and skin issues. As the dogs were being removed from the home, the owners called each one by name. The dogs were friendly and socialized.

There were 30 dead dogs found in a freezer, but authorities say those dogs all died of natural causes.

Amazing that 187 dogs could be so well taken care of in one home. But yeah, "hoarding" does imply some sort of neglect situation going on.

The only thing I can figure they can charge them on is this:

Pennsylvania law requires anyone who keeps, transfers, or boards more than 25 dogs to have a kennel license and the premises to be inspected annually.

The article doesn't SAY that the couple didn't have a kennel license, but if they don't then I guess the county was right in seizing the dogs.

[crazedACD]

They weren't seized, they were voluntarily surrendered..I don't know. I can't see anything inherently wrong with the whole thing. Another article says the home wasn't that bad.

Would this not set a precedent for puppy mills?

[Tazwell]

They said the owners were facing animal cruelty charges. I can't imagine that having many dogs in good condition constitutes animal cruelty?

[stardogs]

It is possible that the dogs weren't dealing with health issues but still not kept in a humane manner (i.e. clean environment, treated for any external parasites, fresh water, etc.) - it would be more unusual, but a dog could still be relatively healthy yet living in icky conditions, especially if they hadn't been in them for long.