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“We have our work cut out for us.”

Those were the words that Rich Crook, leader of Best Friends’ rapid response team, uttered after he arrived on a commercial breeder’s property in the Ozark mountains of Missouri. The team was immediately greeted at the gate by dozens of dogs.

“They were very friendly and wanted us to pet them,” Crook says, and they did just that. It was shortly before dark on February 26 when the team arrived after driving nonstop from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, to Tecumseh, Missouri. The team wouldn’t be starting the task of rounding up the dogs until daybreak the next day.

As they left for the night and backed out of the driveway, one puppy – a tri-colored springer-spaniel mix – worked his way through a hole in the fence and chased after them. They stopped, and Crook walked the puppy back to the fenced-in area. “I fixed the hole he snuck out of,” he says.

The team would be back, they assured the dogs as they left for the night.

The 200 adult dogs and puppies, left on the property to roam in groups, had been corralled by authorities behind a fence until our six-person team – working beside Noah’s Wish, a rescue organization from California, and in concert with officials from the Missouri State Department of Agriculture – could safely and methodically remove the dogs. It’s an ambitious process, getting as many dogs caught as possible and through intake the first day, then kenneled and on their way to better lives.

The dogs were legally taken from the owner just days earlier, on February 24. Authorities said the owner, who did not have a breeder’s license for his River Valley Puppies Kennels, set fire to the property after state officials arrived to take custody of the dogs.

When the Best Friends team arrived, the house and garage, as well as the outdoor kennels that once held hundreds of adult dogs and their puppies, were gone. Only two barns were left standing.

The youngest and tiniest puppies had been removed earlier by Ozark County officials. Remaining in the group of 200 were nine- to ten-week-old puppies gathered by their moms, along with lots of adults, says Kelli Orhtman, Best Friends field communications officer.

Some of the dogs on the property were staying warm by lying on still-smoldering ashes, Crook says.

Because of the fire, there’s no power to the property and no pump for running water. So, during their four-day stay, the team plans to truck water back and forth to the dogs from a nearby river, just down the rural road.

Team members are spending their first day rounding up the dogs, checking to make sure they’re healthy, doing intake paperwork, and then handing them over to rescue groups standing by. Those groups are placing them in foster care until they find permanent homes for each and every one.

None appear to have severe medical issues. Crook says, “The dogs seem okay, but some are obviously emaciated.”

For additional news, visit The Truth About the Pet Trade community and Rapid Response.

Follow the story:
Part 2: River Valley rescue: Wrangling
Part 3: River Valley wrap-up

Written by Cathy Scott
Photos by Gary Kalpakoff

As part of Best Friends’ 25th anniversary in 2009, our goal is to double our membership, so we can double our efforts to bring about a time when all companion animals have a forever home. What can you do to help? Give the Gift of a Best Friends membership to family and friends.

May 26, 2009 : 11:00 PM ET
posted by: dibble1105

I am absolutely sickened by this story. Unfortunately, I bought a gsp from Mike (owner) three years ago. I had a feeling something wasn't right about this guy and I almost had to take legal action on him for not sending the dog. I am so thankful for Best Friends for their help! I am so sorry to read this, but I feel so thankful for an organization like Best Friends.

March 7, 2009 : 3:50 AM ET
posted by: m4rci4

Thank God for Best Friends!!! I am a very proud supporter!!!

March 6, 2009 : 9:09 PM ET
posted by: catsandroses

what I find so totally scary is the fact that if you go to their website, http://www.rivervalleypuppies.com/, it all looks so wonderful, it's not a surprise so many people get taken. Thank you to Best Friends and other groups for removing this kind of horror, one day at at time.

March 6, 2009 : 8:50 PM ET
posted by: K9manFL

As a professional dog trainer I see many people who have purchased a puppy from a pet shop. After all the alerts that have been put out about these places they still buy from them. I'm amaized at how many people still patronize these meat markets. They pay more for a dog there than they would if they purchased one from a reputable breeder. Many of the dogs are genetically unhealthy and will cause their owners heartache later on when they get sick or die from the poor breeding practices that go on in these hell holes.

The owners of these pet shops are just as unscruplous as the puppy mill owners. They play on peoples emotions to make a sale. Unfortunately, too many people shop with their heart instead of their head and act on impulse.

If only there was a way to alert more people about these sinister pet shops. Perhaps getting a few people to stand near these petshops and handout literature as they go by or start to enter the store.

Congratulations to all those who were involved in shutting this puppy mill down.

People please remember "PUPPY MILLS BREED MISERY" !!!!

K9manFL

March 6, 2009 : 1:03 PM ET
posted by: gary ransome

Hi

We are supporters from England and really respect the amazing work you are doing. You obviously have a lot of work to do to help dogs in very difficult circumstances. We watch a lot of programmes on TV about the animal welfare organisations in the US and it is clear there is a lot to do to bring welfare standards up to an acceptable level. Keep up the good work and we will keep on supporting you

Gary and Jan (and Cassie the dog) in England

March 5, 2009 : 10:03 PM ET
posted by: reflxyon

To truly support these dogs and those responsible for their care, please send donations to English Springer Rescue America, Inc. http//www.springerrescue.org

March 3, 2009 : 4:44 PM ET
posted by: CanineAlaska

I just can't believe their website is still up, advertising dogs and puppies! With a 5-year health guarantee!

This is from their website: We do not discard our dogs when they can no longer have puppies. They are part of our family and aren't thrown away to make room for a more productive dog.

SHAME ON THEM! Some people just have no conscience.

Thanks to everyone who's helping these wonderful dogs now. Their website says they have goats and horses too. Hopefully they're no longer there and are getting help like the dogs are.

March 3, 2009 : 10:48 AM ET
posted by: glongst

Most of these dogs came to Kansas City and are being taken care of by Midwest Paws and English Springer Rescue. Both of these groups have taken on a huge burden of the fostering, vet care and spay/neuter of these dogs. Please consider supporting these two Kansas City organizations that have stepped up to help these dogs and puppies.

March 3, 2009 : 10:40 AM ET
posted by: mrapp60

We need stiffer penalites for animal abuse and/or puppy mills. There is no excuse for letting these people get off with a slap on the wrist!!!

March 3, 2009 : 8:44 AM ET
posted by: love my animals

I CRIED WHEN I READ THE STORY ABOUT THE MISSOUI PUPPY MILL,I CAN"T UNDERSTAND WHY SOMEONE WHOULD DO THE THINGS THEY DO TO OUR LITTLE FRIENDS, THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU THAT HELP THEM, I WISH I COULD COME DOWN THERE AND DO MY LITTLE PART.

February 28, 2009 : 12:29 PM ET
posted by: mrsaaf

his website www.rivervalleypuppies.com is active and still has Ads up for avail puppies! yikes! good thing they are already on their way to new shelters, and (hopefully) adoptive homes!

February 28, 2009 : 11:52 AM ET
posted by: doggymama4

Thank God there is a Best Friends and that there are people willing to help. These horrific situations seem to be everywhere ........will it ever end?..We all have to do something.

February 28, 2009 : 3:40 AM ET
posted by: SUNNEE

There should be large rewards paid out for anybody who turns in a substandard puppymill.( of course they are all substandard) Maybe it would encourage people to act faster turning them in. Poor animals .Hunting dogs have such a sensitive soul to begin with and seem to crave human love so much. I hope this jerk gets at least 5 years for his actions.His type usually gets in trouble fast behind bars .It's time to call and e-mail the NFL as there is a petition going around already to prevent this monster from being reinstated . I signed it on Care2. Once he is back in it will be much harder to fight this.

February 27, 2009 : 9:00 PM ET
posted by: bordercolliemom

I was just sickened watching this videw. Will he get charged for arson? cruelty to animals? Or will he walk away with a slap on on the wrist. My bet is the slap, which truly angers me. My first dog was a mix springer he was wonderful seeing these half starved dogs is too upsetting for words. Best Friends is doing so much to make people aware but the laws must be changed. Made much harsher. Prison for these people (not just a couple months) might just make them think twice. Stiff fines would help. Make them pay for all the medical attention and housing these poor animals will need . Hit them in their pocket book since mooney means so much to them they don't care how they get it.

February 27, 2009 : 5:13 PM ET
posted by: cambridgeratmom

What an idiot! But that seems to be the kind of person interested in sucking the life out of dogs for $$. Each one down is a huge victory.

February 27, 2009 : 4:47 PM ET
posted by: micawaverunner

He'll get two months for animal abuse, probably a couple years for firing the gun and arson. He'll be out about the same time the last dog from here finds a home. On another note, I heard a couple teams are going to be in talks with Michael Vick. He may be coming back to football. Afterall, we must be forgiving or we're the bad ones. Not me, I hope he ends up on the streets where HE has to fight for his survival.

February 27, 2009 : 3:44 PM ET
posted by: odat80

When I was a child we had a magnificent springer spaniel named Tammy. They are such wonderful friendly, loyal dogs. Is it just me or are we really starting to dig out the once "accepted puppy mills" and finally exposing them for what they really are? Here in Tidewater, VA the VA Beach SPCA just processed and adopted out 30 puppies from a puppy mill in NC. On top of that in Isle of Wight County, police raided a farm that was a golden lab puppy mill and rescued 30 traumatized dogs and 20 malnourished horses! What are we coming to? Thank God people are starting to step up and report, foster and adopt these precious creatures from God!

February 27, 2009 : 2:57 PM ET
posted by: jackandkathy

OMG his website is still up. Unbelievable. www.rivervalleypuppies.com

February 27, 2009 : 2:15 PM ET
posted by: skya

How can people be so evil? What on earth were they hoping to gain by destroying their property? The answer to that could be quite frightening.

February 27, 2009 : 12:42 PM ET
posted by: mpeaches

I'm hoping the owner is in custody? Those poor furbabies! It's miraculous that they (or any of the people!) weren't hurt in the fire or the shooting. At the very least, the fact that the owner fired at the firefighters ensures him some jail time (I would hope!)