Regulators are monitoring a Northeast Missouri kennel that has raised dogs sold at pet stores regionally after inspectors three times found what they termed multiple violations of animal care rules, a Courier-Post inquiry has found.
A Missouri Department of Agriculture investigation of Mettoville Kennels near Mexico is under way, and one is planned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The facility, owned by Herman and Bonnie Sue Schindler, has provided several breeds of dogs to wholesale brokers, who then sold them to pet stores in several states.
At one time, the couple also sold dogs at retail shops n St. Peters, Mo., and in Quincy, Ill. Both have closed.
USDA inspectors cited the Mexico kennel in March and again in July for what they called inadequate shelter, filthy conditions, diseased animals and too few workers.
The inspectors found dogs that allegedly were caked in feces, had matted or missing hair, had wounds or sores, were underweight or had behavioral problems.
They also discovered dilapidated housing that reportedly was unclean, did not provide adequate space and did not have proper drainage
An inspection was attempted in June, but authorities could not get access to the property.
“We are going to be investigating this facility, which is the first step in possible enforcement action,” said USDA spokesman Dave Sacks. “This is one of the facilities we are keeping an eye on.”
Misti Preston, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, said in an e-mail response that the case was “part of an ongoing investigation” and that “records cannot be shared at this time.”
Jeane Jae of the Humane Society of Missouri said the group was “familiar with” the Schindler case and would be “working with (investigators) to do what the Department of Agriculture might request of us in this.”
Multiple attempts to contact the Schindlers by telephone were made over two weeks. Each time, a message indicated the answering machine was full. Calls to a cell phone number were not answered. The complete story can be found in Tuesday's print edition of the Courier-Post.
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Regulators are monitoring a Northeast Missouri kennel that has raised dogs sold at pet stores regionally after inspectors three times found what they termed multiple violations of animal care rules, a Courier-Post inquiry has found.
A Missouri Department of Agriculture investigation of Mettoville Kennels near Mexico is under way, and one is planned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The facility, owned by Herman and Bonnie Sue Schindler, has provided several breeds of dogs to wholesale brokers, who then sold them to pet stores in several states.
At one time, the couple also sold dogs at retail shops n St. Peters, Mo., and in Quincy, Ill. Both have closed.
USDA inspectors cited the Mexico kennel in March and again in July for what they called inadequate shelter, filthy conditions, diseased animals and too few workers.
The inspectors found dogs that allegedly were caked in feces, had matted or missing hair, had wounds or sores, were underweight or had behavioral problems.
They also discovered dilapidated housing that reportedly was unclean, did not provide adequate space and did not have proper drainage
An inspection was attempted in June, but authorities could not get access to the property.
“We are going to be investigating this facility, which is the first step in possible enforcement action,” said USDA spokesman Dave Sacks. “This is one of the facilities we are keeping an eye on.”
Misti Preston, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, said in an e-mail response that the case was “part of an ongoing investigation” and that “records cannot be shared at this time.”
Jeane Jae of the Humane Society of Missouri said the group was “familiar with” the Schindler case and would be “working with (investigators) to do what the Department of Agriculture might request of us in this.”
Multiple attempts to contact the Schindlers by telephone were made over two weeks. Each time, a message indicated the answering machine was full. Calls to a cell phone number were not answered. The complete story can be found in Tuesday's print edition of the Courier-Post.
