Dozens of animals were seized Tuesday during a two-county operation on an alleged puppy mill, according to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association.
Humane officers from the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association and the Putnam County Animal Shelter are investigating Missy's Four Paws, which has locations in Nitro and Teays Valley.
Officers also seized animals from a home owned by the owner of the business, after multiple complaints about the business. Kanawha-Charleston humane officers found 60 dogs and two monkeys in poor conditions at the owner's home on Kanawha Avenue in Nitro Tuesday morning.
Many of the dogs in the home were puppies. Many were in poor health, and are being treated at a location in Kanawha County.
Jessie Shafer, a spokesperson for the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, said officers heard dogs barking in the home, and smelled urine and feces before they walked in.
After officers seized animals from the home they went to the store in Nitro, where they seized a puppy. Shafer said officers also found "significant evidence" at the business.
At the same time Putnam humane officers seized dogs from the Teays Valley location. It's unclear how many dogs were seized from the Teays Valley location.
The name of the owner of Missy's Four Paws is not being released by the shelter at this time.
The dogs are not up for adoption or foster at this time as they need to be treated, Shafer said. She urged community members to not contact the shelter about the animals because it clogs up phone lines. The shelter will release information if and when the animals will be available for adoption, she said.
Reach Ali Schmitz at ali.schmitz@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @SchmitzMedia on Twitter.