SIDNEY (AP) -- Two people charged with more than 200 counts of animal cruelty after a raid on their dog-breeding business have pleaded no contest to single charges.
Sidney's municipal prosecutor says 51-year-old Rhonda Auton and 55-year-old Dave Auton, both of Maplewood, each pleaded no contest Monday to one count of cruelty to animals. Prosecutor Jeff Amick (AY'-mik) says the couple's 29-year-old son, Adam Auton, pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge.
Amick says the agreement prohibits the Autons from involvement in dog breeding.
Their attorney didn't immediately return calls.
The elder Autons could receive up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine. The son could get up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.
Authorities say they found dogs in poor health and in unfit kennels.
November 20 coverage:
Shelby County Couple Accused of Running Puppy Mill Face Criminal Charges
MAPLEWOOD -- A Shelby County couple accused of running a puppy mill face criminal charges.
More than 200 dogs were taken from the home on Tawawa-Maplewood Road in Maplewood Saturday morning.
The animal shelter says the conditions the dogs were living in were deplorable, and the animals are now in need of care.
"It's devastating to me that people can sleep at night and these poor dogs were out with no blankets, no food or water, it was horrible," said RuthAnn Laber, volunteer for the animal shelter.
Laber was at the shelter as the 241 dogs started coming in.
"They were pretty bad they were skinny and, real skinny and their hair was all matted," she said.
"I haven't seen anything quite like this in regards to cruelty to animals," said Sheriff John Lenhart, Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
Right now, 198 of the rescued dos are in foster care, but 41 remain at a location north of Sidney.
With so many animals in need, the sheriff is thankful people are stepping up.
"We are overwhelmed by the generosity of people's time and their money and we deeply, deeply appreciate that," said Sheriff Lenhart.
As Laber volunteers her time she has one last wish for her furry friends.
"I want somebody who loves them, and has a place for them in their home and take care of them," she said.
The shelter doesn't need any dog food donations, they are looking for cash donations.
November 19 coverage:
UPDATE: Most Dogs from Suspected Puppy Mill in Foster Care
SHELBY COUNTY -- Sheriff John R. Lenhart extended a thank you on Monday to the numerous people and organizations that have helped save the 240 animals that were seized Saturday from Pedigree Pets, 8350 Tawawa Maplewood Road in Maplewood.
Lenhart said the county has fostered out about 198 animals and expect to have the remaining animals in foster care by Wednesday.
"We have a lot of people wanting to donate items or time and those that have already donated," Lenhart said in a statement. "At this time we have everything we think we need to continue to care for the dogs; anyone wanting to donate can do so by making a monetary donation to SCARF at PO Box 671, Sidney, OH 45365."
Lenhart said the investigation is continuing and he expects multiple charges to be filed against Dave and Rhonda Auton, who own Pedigree Pets, for cruelty to animals, failure to license and possibly other criminal charges.
UPDATE: Dogs Seized Now in Care of Shelter
MAPLEWOOD -- More than 200 dogs are in the care of the Shelby County Animal Shelter tonight. Eight of them are at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, while 100 of them are in the care of various rescue organizations. The rest of the 100 dogs are at a location north of Maplewood.
Saturday morning, Shelby County Sheriffâs Office served a search warrant at a home on Tawawa Maplewood Road. They said they found a suspected puppy mill operation, which housed 200 dogs of various breeds, all living in poor conditions.
âThings like that should be shut down and people like that should not be allowed to have animals or raise animals,â said Stewart.
The homeowners, Dave and Rhonda Auton, sell the dogs through their business, Pedigree Pets.
On the Pedigree Pets website, the Autons sell various breeds, some priced at $1,400. At this time, no charges have been filed in the case.
The Shelby County Animal Foundation is the organization funded to help care for these dogs. They are accepting donations for the dogs at the Shelby County Animal Shelter anytime after 9 a.m. on Monday.
Donations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 671, Sidney, OH 45365.
Sidney's municipal prosecutor says 51-year-old Rhonda Auton and 55-year-old Dave Auton, both of Maplewood, each pleaded no contest Monday to one count of cruelty to animals. Prosecutor Jeff Amick (AY'-mik) says the couple's 29-year-old son, Adam Auton, pleaded no contest to a disorderly conduct charge.
Amick says the agreement prohibits the Autons from involvement in dog breeding.
Their attorney didn't immediately return calls.
The elder Autons could receive up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine. The son could get up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.
Authorities say they found dogs in poor health and in unfit kennels.
November 20 coverage:
Shelby County Couple Accused of Running Puppy Mill Face Criminal Charges
MAPLEWOOD -- A Shelby County couple accused of running a puppy mill face criminal charges.
More than 200 dogs were taken from the home on Tawawa-Maplewood Road in Maplewood Saturday morning.
The animal shelter says the conditions the dogs were living in were deplorable, and the animals are now in need of care.
"It's devastating to me that people can sleep at night and these poor dogs were out with no blankets, no food or water, it was horrible," said RuthAnn Laber, volunteer for the animal shelter.
Laber was at the shelter as the 241 dogs started coming in.
"They were pretty bad they were skinny and, real skinny and their hair was all matted," she said.
"I haven't seen anything quite like this in regards to cruelty to animals," said Sheriff John Lenhart, Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
Right now, 198 of the rescued dos are in foster care, but 41 remain at a location north of Sidney.
With so many animals in need, the sheriff is thankful people are stepping up.
"We are overwhelmed by the generosity of people's time and their money and we deeply, deeply appreciate that," said Sheriff Lenhart.
As Laber volunteers her time she has one last wish for her furry friends.
"I want somebody who loves them, and has a place for them in their home and take care of them," she said.
The shelter doesn't need any dog food donations, they are looking for cash donations.
November 19 coverage:
UPDATE: Most Dogs from Suspected Puppy Mill in Foster Care
SHELBY COUNTY -- Sheriff John R. Lenhart extended a thank you on Monday to the numerous people and organizations that have helped save the 240 animals that were seized Saturday from Pedigree Pets, 8350 Tawawa Maplewood Road in Maplewood.
Lenhart said the county has fostered out about 198 animals and expect to have the remaining animals in foster care by Wednesday.
"We have a lot of people wanting to donate items or time and those that have already donated," Lenhart said in a statement. "At this time we have everything we think we need to continue to care for the dogs; anyone wanting to donate can do so by making a monetary donation to SCARF at PO Box 671, Sidney, OH 45365."
Lenhart said the investigation is continuing and he expects multiple charges to be filed against Dave and Rhonda Auton, who own Pedigree Pets, for cruelty to animals, failure to license and possibly other criminal charges.
UPDATE: Dogs Seized Now in Care of Shelter
MAPLEWOOD -- More than 200 dogs are in the care of the Shelby County Animal Shelter tonight. Eight of them are at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, while 100 of them are in the care of various rescue organizations. The rest of the 100 dogs are at a location north of Maplewood.
Saturday morning, Shelby County Sheriffâs Office served a search warrant at a home on Tawawa Maplewood Road. They said they found a suspected puppy mill operation, which housed 200 dogs of various breeds, all living in poor conditions.
âThings like that should be shut down and people like that should not be allowed to have animals or raise animals,â said Stewart.
The homeowners, Dave and Rhonda Auton, sell the dogs through their business, Pedigree Pets.
On the Pedigree Pets website, the Autons sell various breeds, some priced at $1,400. At this time, no charges have been filed in the case.
The Shelby County Animal Foundation is the organization funded to help care for these dogs. They are accepting donations for the dogs at the Shelby County Animal Shelter anytime after 9 a.m. on Monday.
Donations can also be mailed to P.O. Box 671, Sidney, OH 45365.