MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. — A disturbing case of animal cruelty is under investigation after 124 dogs were discovered living in deplorable conditions inside a defunct veterinary clinic on Reidland Road.
A disturbing case of animal cruelty is under investigation after 124 dogs were discovered living in deplorable conditions inside a closed veterinary clinic on Reidland Road.
The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report on May 2 alleging that a “puppy mill” was operating out of the former Reidland Veterinary Clinic, located in the 5000 block of Reidland Road. Upon arrival, deputies confirmed the presence of a large number of dogs and noted that the animals appeared to be living in unsanitary and inhumane conditions.
According to authorities, the majority of the building had no ventilation, electricity, heating, or air conditioning. Most of the dogs were confined to areas with carpet soaked in feces and urine.
During the course of the investigation, detectives identified the tenant of the building as 66-year-old Suzanne Alt of Woodlawn, Illinois. Further inquiries revealed that Alt had already been under investigation in Illinois in connection with the same group of dogs.
Alt has been cited to court on 111 counts of Inhumane Treatment of Animals. These charges are misdemeanors. Alt could face up to 12 months in jail and up to a $500 fine per charge. The case is being actively investigated by the MCSO’s animal cruelty investigator in partnership with McCracken County Animal Control.
The McCracken County Humane Society is now severely overcapacity after taking in 124 dogs from an ongoing “puppy mill” investigation.
The animals are now being housed at the McCracken County Humane Society. Because they were already over capacity, David Boggs, a kennel worker at the Humane Society, said they are barely keeping their heads above water.
“We took in over 120 dogs, on top of the dogs we already have. It’s really stretched our resources to their limit,” Boggs said.
The staff at the McCracken County Humane Society is nothing short of overwhelmed.
“We’ve got 253 animals in our care and there’s only 84 kennels. Try to make that math work. It doesn’t work,” Boggs said.
The McCracken County Humane Society is now severely overcapacity after taking in 124 dogs from an ongoing “puppy mill” investigation.
A large portion of these dogs are involved in the ongoing puppy mill investigation. Until that investigation is concluded, they will stay at the humane society.
“Those are animals we can do nothing with, except take care of. We take very good care of them. We can’t adopt them out. We can’t foster them. We can’t spay, neuter, anything like that. So we need to find homes for these animals that are ready for homes,” Boggs said.
If you want to help, consider adoption. The humane society will host a clear the shelter event, where adoption fees are heavily discounted. Fostering is another option for people who don’t want a long-term commitment. If you decide not to walk out the door with a new pet, there are still ways to help inside the shelter.
The McCracken County Humane Society is now severely overcapacity after taking in 124 dogs from an ongoing “puppy mill” investigation.
“We always need volunteers. We need help folding laundry, putting laundry away, organizing things. If you want some interactions with the animals, we can certainly set you up to walk dogs,” Boggs said.
Supplies donations will help staff care for all the extra animals. That way, every animal can get the care they deserve.
You can drop off donations at 4000 Coleman Road in Paducah. They’re open from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
They need towels, sheets, small beds, toys and more.
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