Hundreds Of Animals Removed From Cazenovia Facility
Dogs Being Sent To Dane County Humane Society
Updated: 2:21 pm CDT May 20,2009
CAZENOVIA, Wis. -- The Humane Society of the United States said more than 300 dogs have been seized from a shelter that operated as a sanctuary for lost and found animals in Richland County.
SLIDESHOW: Images Of Dogs Removed From Richland County ShelterThe Richland County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant for Thyme and Sage Ranch in Cazenovia Tuesday morning and impounded the dogs along with about 20 other animals.The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said many of the dogs suffered from ailments such as severely matted fur, skin infections and open wounds and were housed in poor conditions.Investigators with the Humane Society of the United States said they found the living conditions of the animals "appalling."The dogs have been transferred to the Dane County Humane Society, which is evaluating them and providing emergency shelter tents behind its facility in Madison.Veterinarians are working through the night Tuesday examining the animals before authorities return to take more animals out of the Thyme and Sage Ranch on Wednesday. The facility is located about 80 miles northeast of Madison in Richland County."We have a temporary shelter (at the Dane County Humane Society) to house the animals," said Kelly Coladarci, of the Humane Society of the United States. "As the animals come in, they're going to be triaged and have a thorough physical examination by a veterinarian. They are going to be vaccinated and de-wormed and given any treatments necessary."The ranch is owned by Jennifer Petkus, who has been subject of a WISC-TV investigation about the facility for nearly a year. Petkus gave a tour of the multi-building facility located in Cazenovia on short notice in July 2008. "We are a rescue facility. We became incorporated in 2001. The goal is to take in any animal that has been neglected, abused or needs a home," Petkus said in July 2008.At the time, the WISC-TV investigation found that while conditions weren't as clean as they could be, they weren't deplorable, as some had suggested.Last July, Petkus said that while nicer facilities exist, her goal is to save very animal that comes to her door."We will make room. We're on 200 beautiful acres here -- if we need to go out and buy more kennels to buy them time, we will do that," Petkus said in July 2008.Petkus said her mission is to rescue animals from horrible conditions, like those in puppy mills, and that she is proud to provide them with a better life before they can be adopted."A dog that comes from a little cage into a 5 by 5 or a 10 by 10 kennel, that's pretty pampered in their eyes," Petkus said in July 2008.But investigators, the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said they believe this is an "overwhelming case of neglect."Petkus and her Thyme and Sage Ranch also have horses on property, and are under contract through December 2010 with Richland County to act as the official animal shelter for the county. The contract with the county, which began in April 2007, is valued at $750 a month.Authorities said they are conducting a criminal investigation. Petkus has not been charged, but she is due in court Wednesday.All the expenses of the rescue effort are being handled by the Humane Society of the United States and ASPCA. PetSmart Charities is donating $65,000 worth of merchandise like crates. Once the operation is done, the Dane County Humane Society will get to keep all of it.Authorities said they want to hear from anyone who thinks an animal they've owned has become sick or died shortly after being purchased from the Thyme and Sage Ranch. Many of the dogs are found for sale through Internet Web site Petfinder.com.A relief fund has been set up for the rescued animals. Donations can be sent to:Dane County Humane Society
ATTN: Rescue Relief Fund
5132 Voges Road
Madison, WI 53718Several items are needed, including large towels, paper towels, bleach, laundry detergent and newspaper. Those items can be dropped off at the Humane Society. For more information, visit this Web site.
SLIDESHOW: Images Of Dogs Removed From Richland County ShelterThe Richland County Sheriff's Department executed a search warrant for Thyme and Sage Ranch in Cazenovia Tuesday morning and impounded the dogs along with about 20 other animals.The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said many of the dogs suffered from ailments such as severely matted fur, skin infections and open wounds and were housed in poor conditions.Investigators with the Humane Society of the United States said they found the living conditions of the animals "appalling."The dogs have been transferred to the Dane County Humane Society, which is evaluating them and providing emergency shelter tents behind its facility in Madison.Veterinarians are working through the night Tuesday examining the animals before authorities return to take more animals out of the Thyme and Sage Ranch on Wednesday. The facility is located about 80 miles northeast of Madison in Richland County."We have a temporary shelter (at the Dane County Humane Society) to house the animals," said Kelly Coladarci, of the Humane Society of the United States. "As the animals come in, they're going to be triaged and have a thorough physical examination by a veterinarian. They are going to be vaccinated and de-wormed and given any treatments necessary."The ranch is owned by Jennifer Petkus, who has been subject of a WISC-TV investigation about the facility for nearly a year. Petkus gave a tour of the multi-building facility located in Cazenovia on short notice in July 2008. "We are a rescue facility. We became incorporated in 2001. The goal is to take in any animal that has been neglected, abused or needs a home," Petkus said in July 2008.At the time, the WISC-TV investigation found that while conditions weren't as clean as they could be, they weren't deplorable, as some had suggested.Last July, Petkus said that while nicer facilities exist, her goal is to save very animal that comes to her door."We will make room. We're on 200 beautiful acres here -- if we need to go out and buy more kennels to buy them time, we will do that," Petkus said in July 2008.Petkus said her mission is to rescue animals from horrible conditions, like those in puppy mills, and that she is proud to provide them with a better life before they can be adopted."A dog that comes from a little cage into a 5 by 5 or a 10 by 10 kennel, that's pretty pampered in their eyes," Petkus said in July 2008.But investigators, the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said they believe this is an "overwhelming case of neglect."Petkus and her Thyme and Sage Ranch also have horses on property, and are under contract through December 2010 with Richland County to act as the official animal shelter for the county. The contract with the county, which began in April 2007, is valued at $750 a month.Authorities said they are conducting a criminal investigation. Petkus has not been charged, but she is due in court Wednesday.All the expenses of the rescue effort are being handled by the Humane Society of the United States and ASPCA. PetSmart Charities is donating $65,000 worth of merchandise like crates. Once the operation is done, the Dane County Humane Society will get to keep all of it.Authorities said they want to hear from anyone who thinks an animal they've owned has become sick or died shortly after being purchased from the Thyme and Sage Ranch. Many of the dogs are found for sale through Internet Web site Petfinder.com.A relief fund has been set up for the rescued animals. Donations can be sent to:Dane County Humane Society ATTN: Rescue Relief Fund
5132 Voges Road
Madison, WI 53718Several items are needed, including large towels, paper towels, bleach, laundry detergent and newspaper. Those items can be dropped off at the Humane Society. For more information, visit this Web site.
Copyright 2009 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
