New details are coming out regarding a seizure of nearly 50 dogs from a licensed breeder in Washington County, including more than a dozen dead dogs.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Iowa (KWWL) — New details are coming out regarding a seizure of nearly 50 dogs from a licensed breeder in Washington County, including more than a dozen dead dogs.
Not only were 49 dogs seized from BR’s Dobermans Conditions in Riverside, but a state veterinarian said that 17 dogs were found dead around the property as well.
According to a search warrant, a complaint was made to police after someone adopted two dogs from breeder Terry Yoder in early March. After bringing the two purchased dogs to the vet, they say they have multiple health issues.
The search warrant outlines what the state-licensed veterinarian observed while at the facility, stating that she observed a dog with a respiratory infection, two dogs with taped ears, lack of outdoor access, unstable flooring and fences, and feces on almost all flooring with poor ventilation.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa has most of the dogs in their possession, seeking medical care for various issues. They warn people to do their homework on breeders before purchasing a dog.
Animal Welfare & Response Manager Robyn Dobernecker said, “Certainly do your homework before you adopt from a breeder. Make sure you’re checking into them, their licensing, exception reports, there’s lots of things you can do to make sure that they are a reputable breeder, because they are out there.”
The Animal Rescue League says it might be some time until the dogs would be ready for adoption.
Dobernecker explained, “In this particular case, the court system has to go through court before the dogs can be available for adoption, which isn’t always the case, but with these particular dogs it is. So until we get a hearing set up in front of a judge, then that will decide what happens with the custody of the dogs.”
The application for the search warrant outlines that BR’s Dobermans was listed on the Humane Society of the United States’ “Horrible Hundreds” of 2024, which lists 100 problem puppy mills and puppy sellers in the United States.
They say that BR’s Dobermans had multiple violations in 2024 from state inspectors that visited the facility.
Donations to help support the dogs can be made on the Animal Rescue League of Iowa website.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
