Dogs were sold to laboratories for animal experiments. The company that sold them has been sued for several counts of animal cruelty.
A massive animal rescue operation has been carried out in the United States, when nearly 4,000 beagle dogs were rescued from a puppy mill in Virginia.
The puppy mill was owned by a company called Envigo RMS, which was sued by the United States Department of Justice in May for several animal cruelty cases.
Mothers without food, cubs froze to death
Inspectors found dogs in very poor conditions.
Some lactating mothers were not given food at all. Other dogs were given food with worms, mold and feces. According to the inspectors, 25 puppies also froze to death in the institution’s premises.
The animal rights organization Humaine Society, whose director is now responsible for the care and further placement of the dogs Kitty Block told the news agency Reuters that the organization now works closely with animal shelters and rescue partners.
– Four thousand is a big number. It takes 60 days to get all these dogs out. We work with our partners nationwide to get all dogs into loving homes.
Envigo RMS has denied accusations of animal cruelty, but has said it will close the facility.