One of my longest campaigns is over.

[flvegan]

My organization has been after a known puppy mill for going on 7 years. P&M (or PM) Tinies was a horrible place for puppies. Problem was, we couldn't get animal services to go in because they couldn't find probable cause. They had mattresses over the windows of these trailers/sheds the dogs were kept in, so you couldn't hear much barking. When the slag that ran the place would meet you to sell one of her pups, it was always offsite, somewhere public, so nobody had any testimony to give of the conditions of the place. Equally frustrating, is that the compound was visible from a major thoroughfare.

We had proof via multiple advertisements run concurrently that she was selling more animals than county law allowed. We couldn't get APHIS to get involved. We tried code enforcement. We even had a volunteer (they knew my face) do the "my car broke down, can I use your phone" trick to get onsite. Honestly, I had about given up on this one.

Alas...



Pat Walters a/k/a Pat Martin, I hope you fucking rot in jail.

3 Arrests Follow Seizure Of 77 Dogs In Riverview

RIVERVIEW - This was anything but a "happy puppy place," investigators said.

That's how promotional T-shirts describe PM Tinies, a Riverview business that buys and sells small-breed dogs such as Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas.

But inside the business at 13605 U.S. Highway 301, authorities found dozens of animals living in squalor.

"It's disgusting," Hillsborough County Animal Services spokesman Marti Ryan said Wednesday of the scene. "There is feces and urine strewn through a home where people sit and read and live. It's a horrible existence for the animals and not particularly healthy for people. It's not a nice place to spend your morning."

Seventy-seven dogs were confiscated, and three people were arrested.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/nov/06/na-3-arrests-follow-seizure-of-77-dogs-in-rivervie/

on edit: Thanks to the anonymous tipster that finally did them in.

[Ignis]

1. Congrats!

:woohoo:

Do you have any clue why Animal Services responded to an anonymous tip, while they didn't respond to your earlier (and presumably much more structured, impassioned, and coherent) efforts?

[flvegan]

2. Nope, none. But

I do respect the work their investigative crew does, and they are pretty relentless when they have something tangible to go on, so I assume that this "tip" was fairly significant.

I'll find out, though.

[Ignis]

3. Hmmmmmmm.

Given the circumstances, perhaps it was a disgruntled former "employee" (not sure if they hired part-time help with the mill) or customer? Someone with real specifics that could quickly and easily be verified.

I'm curious. Keep us updated. :)

[flvegan]

4. My theory is

that their veterinarian has a tech that rolled on them. I know their vet (Ruskin Animal Clinic) and he wouldn't rat on them at the time. But the staff all knew.

[LeftyMom]

5. Sometimes it's all about a pattern of complaints.

Without the animal services people knowing the backstory, the anonymous complaint might not have got much follow-up.

[CrispyQ]

6. Not a vegan response,

but I could easily off her without any remorse. Sorry, my misanthrope is showing. :grr:

I too, hope she rots.