News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.comConditions at Puppy Mill were "Horrendous"

Conditions at Puppy Mill were "Horrendous"

By: Hollie Hojek

hhojek@kcautv.com

It was a tip that lead the Sac County Sheriff's Office here... to a farm in rural Kiron, Iowa. When they arrived they found over 90 animals stacked in cages... in extremely poor conditions."

The conditions unimaginable.

Ninety-three animals found stacked in wire cages, at a rural farm in Kiron Iowa. The Siouxland Humane Society says a woman, Mary Broderson owns the farm, where she was illegally breeding these animals, without a license. The animals are mostly older dogs, including Cocker Spaniels and Japanese Chin. The Sac County Sheriff's Office along with six animal shelters in Iowa, were able to rescue 88 animals from the puppy mill, unfortunately, two older dogs and three puppies didn't make it out alive.

"It breaks our hearts to see animals treated in this manner... it's very hard, very hard and sad," said Kelly Erie, from the Siouxland Humane Society.

Of the dogs that survived, many of them are extremely sick.

"These dogs here have needed to be treated for severe inner ear infection.. these dogs are also infested with fleas... They also need a good grooming," said Erie.

After seeing the conditions they were living in, it's no surprise, just how sick they are.

"The smell of ammonia was horrendous. These dogs were in feces that was probably 2-3 inches high. Not only were they kept in these cages... they had to sleep, lay.. and also when they were fed... eat. You are talking about a cage that is completely full of feces," said Erie.

And while it may be hard to see it now, there is a silver lining. The animals are safe at shelters throughout the state of Iowa, including right here in Sioux Ci1ty.

Deputy Chief Brouwer told me the investigation is ongoing, but charges may come down as early as next week.