Humane Society rescues dogs from 'notorious' Douglas County breeder
The Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Taskforce removed seven dogs – five male and two female terriers – from a formerly licensed Douglas County breeder on Tuesday morning, according to a press release.
“Today’s rescue marks the second time in less than a year that the HSMO’s Animal Cruelty Task Force has been called to (Marilyn) Shepherd’s property to rescue animals. In December 2021 the Task Force rescued 42 dogs, including many puppies as young as a few days old, from Shepherd’s Cedarcrest Kennel,” the press release said.
Marilyn Shepherd has been cited with multiple violations in the past 25 years and has been included in the “Horrible 100” list, a national list of the worst dog breeders in the country. Shepherd operated as Cedarcrest Kennel, Williams Kennel, PuppyFind and Pups4U.
At the time of the December 2021 rescue, Shepherd had no commercial breeding license and her hobby license was permanently revoked for a violation of a 2020 consent agreement, also from the Missouri Attorney General’s office.
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The rescue Tuesday morning occurred after Shepherd was found guilty violating a 2021 consent agreement put in place by the Missouri Attorney General’s office. Shepard revealed in court that, in the weeks leading up to her trial, she had sold all puppies in her care.
The Douglas County Circuit Court ordered the immediate removal of the remaining seven adult dogs from Shepherd’s property and imposed a $9,500 penalty. By court order, Shepard was allowed to keep one dog as a personal pet. Shepard has been arrested and may face criminal penalties related to animal mistreatment.
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“Marilyn Shepherd is a repeat offender who has a long history of animal mistreatment and breeding violations that stretches back decades,” said HSMO President Kathy Warnick said in a press release. “We are grateful to the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Attorney General Schmitt’s office for their persistent work to stay on top of bad breeders who violate the law and trap helpless animals in a cycle of abuse and neglect. The animals rescued today were kept in conditions that caused them great emotional stress and physical suffering. Now that these animals are safe, our focus turns to providing them with the care and rehabilitation they need so they can find loving, forever homes.”
To report an animal that may be in danger or is suffering from neglect or abuse, call the local police and the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Hotline at 314-647-4400.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Humane Society removes 7 dogs from repeat-offender Douglas Co. breeder
