Clewiston puppy mill busted, nearly 100 dogs rescued

Author: ashley edlund
Published: Updated:

CLEWISTON, Fla.- Nearly 100 dogs living in filthy conditions were rescued from a puppy mill on Avenue Del Club in Clewiston.

The owners of the facility, Beatriz Perez, 46, and Alexei Fernandez, 47, were arrested on animal cruelty charges.

Complaints by residents lead authorities to the large-scale breeding operation.

“We’ve worked with people who have come in and made some uncover buys, or been able to just offer up photos or information about what was going on,” said Hendry County Sheriff’s spokesperson Susan Harrelle.

Siberian Huskies, Chihuahuas and Poodles were discovered living in crowded pens. Officials with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) say many dogs also had no clean drinking water or food, and were suffering from various medical conditions, including skin and eye disease and severe dental issues.

“We have no tolerance for animal cruelty in this county,” said Hendry County Sheriff Steve Whidden. “Hopefully this case will send a message and prevent similar situations.”

Authorities say the dogs were being sold to pet stores in the Miami-Dade area. The dogs are being transported to a temporary shelter in an undisclosed location, where they will receive medical care.

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