To make a donation, please click here or call (617) 426-9170, ext. 615.
Webster puppy rescue
Driver of Puppy shipment Arrested
October 15 Update: Webster Puppies Get First Haircuts, Courtesy of PETCO
Six of 27 puppies rescued from an overheated, unsanitary truck in July were treated to their first grooming, courtesy of PETCO’s Natick store, on October 15, 2009. The pups remain in foster care while the legal case surrounding the puppy transport company continues.
PETCO also provided special gifts bags to the dogs’ foster parents. The Animal Rescue League of Boston is grateful to PETCO and to our foster families for their help and support in caring for these dogs.
The Webster puppies remain in the ARL of Boston's custody while the investigation continues. To help support their care, please make a donation by clicking here.
August 13 update:
On July 27, the USDA cited Puppy Ship, LLC, the company responsible for transporting the puppies into Massachusetts. To read a copy of the USDA report, click here. In response to the USDA's findings, Dr. Gary Patronek, vice president for Animal Welfare and New Program Development at the ARL of Boston, stated:
"As a result of our investigation of this case, the Animal Rescue League of Boston has learned that USDA regulations provide essentially no oversight of animal health and welfare either during travel or at the point of delivery."
"Trucks are inspected almost exclusively when empty, and there is no limit to the length of a journey a puppy may face or time on the truck. As this case has shown, a puppy certified as free of infectious disease before travel may still not be strong enough to withstand the stress of separation from its littermates, crowding, exposure to infectious disease, and lack of care during travel, without becoming seriously ill. Currently, as of this point, 18 of the 27 puppies removed from the truck required specialized veterinary care at one of Tufts' veterinary hospitals. 2 have since died as a result of their illnesses."
"At this point it is unknown how many other puppies on this truck that were delivered to pet stores in New England and beyond prior to the seizure were also seriously ill. We are currently considering all options for improving the protection of vulnerable animals during transit into Massachusetts."
The Webster puppies remain in the ARL of Boston's custody while the investigation continues. To help support their care, please make a donation by clicking here.
July 30 updATE:
As of July 30, the cost of caring for the puppies siezed from a transport vehicle in Webster on July 9 is over $29,000 and the Animal Rescue League of Boston needs your help. To make a donation, please click here or call (617) 426-9170, ext. 615.
The puppies are not available for adoption at this time. We will continue to update our website as information becomes available.
July 17 Update:
Last week, the ARL of Boston took custody of 27 puppies rescued from a transport vehicle discovered by the Webster Police Department. The conditions on the truck were extremely unsanitary and were not providing adequate thermal neutrality and we are greatly concerned about the health of the puppies. Ten of the puppies so far have required specialized care at one of Tufts’ veterinary hospitals. Of these hospitalized puppies, several continue to receive specialized care, with some needing an oxygen cage due to severe respiratory distress. The remaining puppies are being closely watched by ARL of Boston veterinary and shelter staff.
Puppies are fragile, and even healthy puppies need to be watched and cared for very carefully during long journeys. The stress of transport, coupled with poor body condition and additional stressors such as infectious disease or internal parasites, in immature animals can easily lead to life-threatening illness. Animal welfare groups believe that puppies who come from litters bred in commercial operations are likely to be less healthy than a puppy raised by hobby breeders in a home environment. From the records and information obtained on these puppies, almost all of them can be traced back to USDA-licensed Class A breeders from Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Kansas. Ongoing investigation by the Animal Rescue League of Boston has indicated that several of these source kennels have a history of USDA violations for grossly unsanitary conditions. The records suggest that they were destined for further commercial trade.
Unfortunately, government regulations regarding both the raising of dogs in commercial operations as well as conditions during commercial interstate transport are very minimal. The Animal Rescue League of Boston plans to work with the MSPCA and other animal welfare organizations to introduce legislation to address the conditions of transport for dogs brought into Massachusetts. Your help is desperately needed to defray the cost of care for these puppies, as well as to support our legislative efforts on behalf of animals in Massachusetts.
Your support allows us to provide the critical veterinary and behavioral care necessary to ensure their health and survival. To make a donation, please click here or call (617) 426-9170, ext. 615.
Above: One of the puppies rescued from a transport vehicle in Webster is receiving specialized care at Tufts University Veterinary Hospital.
Latest News Reports:
Worcester Telegram: Puppies Seized from Truck Run Up $12,000 in Medical Bills
Boston Globe: Puppies' Medical Bills at $12,000 and Rising
WBZ-TV 4: Sick Puppies & Rescue League Need Help
WCVB-TV 5: Rescued Puppies Remain in Emergency Room
July 13 Update
We would like to thank the many concerned callers who have reached out to us regarding the Webster puppies. To make a donation, please click here or call (617) 426-9170, ext. 615. Due to the high volume of calls, we ask that you refer to our website where we will post updates as they become available.
Please help us care for these puppies by making a donation. Your support allows us to provide the critical veterinary and behavioral care necessary to ensure their health and survival. To make a donation by phone, please call (617) 426-9170, ext. 615.
Above: ARL of Boston shelter agents with 3 of 27 puppies in the ARL of Boston's care after being rescued from an unsanitary and poorly-ventilated box truck in Webster on July 8.
July 9 Breaking news
July 9, 2009: Law enforcement officials from the Animal Rescue League of Boston are assisting the Webster Police Department in investigating animal cruelty allegations after a truck transporting 37 puppies broke down in Webster on July 8. Webster police arrested the driver, and ARL of Boston veterinarians at the scene noted that the puppies were being transported in highly unsanitary conditions and were weak and dehydrated. 27 puppies were brought to the Animal Rescue League of Boston where they are currently being evaluted and receiving veterinary care.
The puppies are not available for adoption at this time. However, we will update our website when more information becomes available.
The Animal Rescue League of Boston asks the public to help support our efforts to provide the care critical to these puppies' health and survival. To make a donation, please click here.
To report animal abuse, please contact the ARL of Boston Law Enforcement Department at (617) 226-5610.
To see recent media coverage, please click on the following links:
Worcester Telegram: http://www.telegram.com/article/20090710/NEWS/907100403/1116
WBZ-TV Channel 4: http://wbztv.com/video/?id=78757@wbz.dayport.com
WHDH-TV Channel 7: http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO118507/
WCVB Channel 5: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/20001232/detail.html
Fox TV 25: http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/52_puppies_found_in_truck_070809
