Kennel gets clean bill of health

By Patricia Morrison

February 16, 2007 12:36 pm

— Sheriff’s deputies have investigated reports of a puppy mill in the Odon area and found the charges unfounded.
Their investigation found that John Graber currently owns the operation, not Leroy Graber who was listed as owner in the initial police complaint.
A woman looking to buy a French bulldog puppy reported to sheriff’s deputies Tuesday the owner would not let her into the kennel, but brought the puppies out one at a time. She said the some puppies were covered in feces and another dog had a hernia at the incision site of a C-section.
Deputies investigating the complaint on Tuesday were denied access to the building.
An Odon veterinarian accompanied Detective Bill Dougherty on Thursday for an inspection of the premises at 900E 875N. Pictures were taken of the facilities as well as the animals within. Dougherty said the owner told him he did not allow persons in the kennel building for fear of the spread of disease among the many animals. He preferred to bring the puppies out for inspection by potential buyers one at a time.
“Everything looked good in there. It was clean,” Dougherty said of the kennels. “They (the puppies) were fat balls of fur. I fell in love out there yesterday.”
Graber said this morning he had been very upset by the original complaint as he said he had nothing to hide.
“I wouldn’t let her go in here,” Graber said. “I don’t want to spread disease.”
The original complainant said there were no windows in the building and more than 100 dogs.
On Thursday, the detective and local veterinarian found there were about 65 dogs in the building and food and water was plentiful. According to Dougherty’s report there were no more than three small dogs to a kennel and one or two medium-sized dogs per kennel. There are windows on three of the four walls and doors on two walls. All dogs were kept in 7-foot by 2-1/2-foot runs with a concrete pad in the center with hot water radiator heat keeping that warm. There was wire mesh on the sides for waste. Dougherty said the dogs had access to continuous water and the food dishes were all full.
The dog reported to have a hernia, was inspected by the veterinarian who said it was a very common thing and was on no concern. The veterinarian said all the dogs were in excellent health. He also conferred with a Washington veterinarian.
Graber had advertised the dogs for sale as he is trying to reduce the number of animals since he is going out of business.
“I have nice kennels and nice dogs,” Graber said of the 12 breeds he has, all small or medium-size dogs. “Anyone interested in buying a dog or the whole operation should contact me.”
The state Board of Animal Health was contacted, but said the state currently does not have requirements for kennels to be licensed and inspected. The federal Department of Agriculture Animal Care Regional Division in Raleigh, N.C., was then called and they said a USDA license is not required for retail sales.
Graber has agreed to let officers come in and inspect the facilities on a monthly basis until the animals are all sold.