How Natl. Organization Got Involved In Raid

A total of 172 dogs, some even young puppies, are being cared for at the Turner County Fairgrounds in Parker after authorities raided what they're calling a puppy mill on Wednesday.

The Turner County Sheriff's office, as well as Second Chance Rescue Center, is investigating the case. A national organization is also helping out.

Inside a barn on the Turner County Fairgrounds, 172 dogs are getting check-ups, food and water. Many of their new handlers are from the Humane Society of the United States. Their involvement in the case started just days ago, when local authorities made a call.

"Typically because they don't have the resources or capacity within their community to handle the large scale suffering, such as this case here. One-hundred-seventy-two dogs on one foul swoop is a big job," Scotlund Haisley said. 

Haisley is the Senior Director of Emergency Services for the Humane Society of the United States. He says the organization is prepared for situations like this, with 20 staff members and 2,000 volunteers all around the country. Typically, they have a few weeks to get people and resources into place for a raid, but in this case they had just a few days. Now they're working to ensure every animal gets tip-top care.

"Under the request of the local authorities, we will now continue to provide care and medical treatment for these animals awaiting the judicial system," Haisley said.

But the care for the animals is just one part. The Humane Society of the United States also carefully documents every part of the process.

"We're collecting evidence, we're safely and humanely removing them. Some animals may be fractious, we're providing the animals with all the necessary medical care and the sheltering personnel.  Sheltering personnel for 172 dogs is dozens and dozens of people scheduled on a regular daily basis," Haisley said.

That's a schedule that will remain in place until the problems are solved, or the case is resolved.

Haisley estimates that the raid with cost the Humane Society of the United States between $40,000 and $60,000.