What to look for When you apply for a search warrant, be sure that the scope of your search includes all records relating to the care, sale, purchase and maintenance of animals. It should also include all animals: live, dead or unborn. Because puppy mills often house pregnant dogs, you should include language specific to unborn animals to avoid potential complications if a dog gives birth after seizure. For sample affidavit language, see Appendix IV. 60 The Humane Society of the United States Specialized cases Puppy mill owners often do not report their dog sales for tax purposes. If you suspect this is happening, you could contact the Attorney General’s Office for a more thorough investigation and potential charges for failing to report income. You should also ensure that the veterinarian performs a thorough examination on each and every dog. When large numbers of animals are being seized, you might have a veterinarian perform a triage exam onsite to note any obvious problems and then perform a more thorough exam on each animal in the following days. Building your case Remember that successful puppy mill cases often require multiple visits to the property. Be sure to accurately document each visit and issue the appropriate notices or citations with specific information. Be sure that the evidence you collect is accurately, thoroughly and properly documented according to your agency’s protocol. Here are some things to check for when assembling your case: • Accurate and thorough medical reports • Sales records and registry information • Body condition scores for animals • Clear photos that accurately depict the living conditions and health of the dogs • Veterinarian reports that describe serious injury/illness due to lack of veterinary care and/or injury/illness attributed to substandard housing What to do Similar to animal hoarding cases, puppy mills could involve a large numbers of dogs. You should enlist the aid of the local animal control or humane agency, veterinarians and possibly one or more national organizations, such as The HSUS, that can provide additional needed resources.
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