About 100 dogs rescued from overburdened breeders

August 1, 2009 3:29:00 pm

- Associated Press

AUBURN, Neb. — Eleven Nebraska dog breeders have given about 100 dogs to rescue groups as part of a deal with regulators to reduce the size of their breeding operations.

The breeders delivered the dogs to a location in Omaha because the breeders didn't want to allow rescue groups into their operation. Most of the dogs rescued on Friday came from one breeder.

The state Department of Agriculture asks breeders to downsize when they have more animals than they can handle.

Most of the dogs were taken to the Hearts United for Animals shelter in Auburn for evaluation. Later, about half of them will move to the Almost Home Canine Rescue and Dakota Dachshunds Rescue in South Dakota.

Many of the dogs had bad teeth and dirty ears, but officials think most can be rehabilitated.