Puppy Mill Busted in Central Minn., Owner Charged

 Kathy Bauck

NEW YORK MILLS, Minn. -- A breeder in New York Mills, Minn., west of Brainerd, is charged with nine counts of felony animal cruelty, torture, and practicing veterinary medicine without a license. However, because of a loophole in the law, Kathy Bauck will get to keep her kennel of 1,000 dogs.

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52-year-old Kathy Jo Bauck is licensed to sell animals at Pick of the Litter Kennels in New York Mills, Minn. But because she's licensed through the USDA, local animal investigators do not have the authority to get involved.

An employee at the kennel, Jason Smith, was a member of an animal rights group, and he observed and documented cruelty and violations of law at the kennel. Smith took undercover video, audio and pictures to the Sheriff's Office, which brought to light what was going on in the facility. Smith took field notes every day he worked there, highlighting cases of abuse and maltreatment.

Court documents state a scenario on May 5 that involved a bichon who was having puppies. The employee says when he saw the dog and her litter, one puppy was partially flattened and dead, a live puppy was hanging by the umbilical cord, and another one died a couple hours after birth.

Then, he says, Bauck and two other employees tried to pull a fourth puppy out of the womb with surgical clamps, only to rip off the puppy's tail and rear leg. That puppy also died.

Then, the employee says the mother dog sat in afterbirth for two days before dying herself. Bauck allegedly knew about the dog's condition, and did nothing.

The complaint illustrates dozens of cases of dogs suffering from wounds, swollen eyes, missing flesh, bloody sores, seizures, and emaciation while at the kennel -- and receiving either improper medical treatment or none at all.

Bauck has been accused of practicing veterinary medicine without a license before, and animal rights groups have accused her of abuse in the past.

Currently, Minnesota law does not allow local animal investigators access to facilities regulated by the USDA. However, legislation has been proposed that will change that. If the Breeder Bill passes, it will give investigators access to hold breeders accountable for their actions.

Kathy Bauck claims she is innocent and that it was just an animal rights group that was after her.

She is scheduled to appear in court on September 22

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION, COMMENT & CROSS POST.  THIS SO-CALLED HUMAN "KATHY BAUCK" lSHOULD BE IN PRISON, JUST LIKE SHE DID TO THESE POOR ANIMALS.  SHE SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO HAVE ANOTHER ANIMAL IN HER LIFETIME. 

THANK YOU FOR CARING & SPEAKING FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT HEARD.