See Update – 11/28/08 – Puppy Mill Owner Wants Video Suppressed – VIDEO

In August I did a story on Kathy Bauck, owner of Pick of the Litter Kennel in New York Mills, MN. She was charged with abuse, torture and practicing veterinary medicine without a license, 9 felony charges. All you need to do is google her name and you’ll find page after page, usually complaints and problems related to her and her kennel.

The most unbelievable thing is that she is still in business! Even being convicted in the past and now facing at least 9 felony charges, she is still operating her ‘breeding business.’

Bauck, who is a licensed breeder with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was found to be in noncompliance with her license after USDA inspections in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, according to records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.

“She has been cited for inadequate record-keeping, animals with swollen limbs, missing skin, animal fighting with each other inside her facility, unsafe and unsanitary housing. You name it, she’s been cited many times by the USDA,” Jill Fritz, Minnesota Humane Society Director said.

In September, Bauck’s attorney, Zenas Baer, filed to have the charges dismissed saying that there was a lack of probable cause.

Baer said the charges against Bauck are based on self-serving information from Jason Smith. Smith’s goal, Baer said, was “to shut down an otherwise longstanding, responsible business in the community.” (You have to laugh at this statement… responsible? Yeah, she’s responsible alright, for cruelty, abuse and death!)

According to Baer, Smith is part of the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS). This group describes itself as a national animal welfare organization promoting the ethical treatment of companion animals by commercial breeders. CAPS also claims its members have investigated over 1,000 commercial breeding facilities in 16 states since 1995.

If the charges are not dropped, Baer would like the Otter Tail County District Court to suppress all secretly-obtained evidence collected by Smith during the time he worked at Pick of the Litter Kennels. This includes 10 to 12 hours of audio and video footage of Smith working in barns, as well as written summaries of each day’s activities.

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In July there was a horrible series of burned dogs. Five dogs were burned with acid near 51st Street and Lewis Avenue. Two of the dogs died, one from the injuries and another from being hit, three others survived.

Winston, one of the survivors, was only a six month old Boxer puppy at the time and there have been some drastic changes in his life since then.

Tulsa Boxer Rescue cared for Winston after he was brought into the Tulsa Animal shelter injured. They brought him back to health and set him up with a foster family until he was ready to be adopted into a forever home.

Well, it looks like he won’t be looking any further.

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A North Texas woman says her dog saved her life by sniffing out her cancer.

She rescues, saves and fosters dogs and one of those dogs she saved, saved her. It’s been proven scientifically that dogs can smell cancer and this little dog did. Pat credits little Peanut with saving her life.

What a wonderful story and another credit to the benefit of our beloved canine companions!