June 18, 2008

COLUMBUS, N.J. -- A remarkable transformation has come full circle for 28 puppies rescued last month when found crammed into crates in a closet with no ventilation, their hair matted, carrying contagious diseases, and covered in feces, according to the state SPCA.

“The puppies were just overcrowded, they were sick, it smelled,” said SPCA Sgt. Jane Donoghue. “It was unbelievably disgusting.”

Columbus Veterinary Hospital manager Lynn Pasquarella says she knew the facility was suddenly getting a large group of puppies -– she just didn’t know how big.

“We thought that there would probably be around ten puppies, and then at around seven in the morning they called and said there was going to be 25 to 30,” she said.

The 28 rescued puppies were treated at the animal hospital, where Pasquarella adopted one named “Panda” herself. The pups were cleaned and groomed at kennels of Columbus next door, where owner Wayne Temple snatched up Mugs.

“We took Mugs home and I thought my wife was going to have my head when I walked in the door, but she fell in love with him,” Temple said.

“Half the puppies didn’t know how to walk on the ground when we put them down on the ground for the first time,” Donoghue said. “They just froze because they didn’t know what being outside was all about. And to look and see how healthy and happy they are makes you feel wonderful.”

The pups’ rescue and cleanup was just the beginning. All 28 puppies were spoken for within just a few days. Once they had a clean bill of health, all arrived in their new homes.

“A lot of people with big hearts,” Pasquarella said. “Just we all have a network of friends that care a lot about what we do. And got a lot of people here and just did assembly line.”

Authorities say the puppies’ former owner, William Roberts, bought the dogs from a Pennsylvania puppy mill to sell them. Roberts is charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty, each carrying up to six years in prison.

Just weeks after their rescue, the puppies were reunited at the animal hospital’s annual pet fair. Amazingly unaffected by their ordeal, the pups proudly displayed bandanas bearing the NJSPCA emblem.

“Rosie,” a cuddly white Maltese, was on-hand, adopted by Jean Schaum, who teaches autistic middle school students in nearby Bristol, Pa. Already, she is using Rosie as a therapy dog in class.

“This week was the first week Rosie came to school with me,” Schaum said. “And already she has made a great impact on my school and in my classroom.”

Debbie Krisak, who took home another puppy, named “Tyler,” was among a number of owners of the rescued dogs walking the reunion grounds with their new friends.

“You feel good being able to take care of an animal that somebody is going to destroy or hurt,” she said. “And then to see the progress in him, and being such a good dog, to give him a chance.”

Roberts is the first person in New Jersey to be charged with a fourth-degree crime for attempting to knowingly sell sick puppies, according to Donoghue.

“How could somebody take these absolutely beautiful babies, lock them in a closet and just use them to make money?” Donoghue asked, holding one pup, named “Betty Lou” in her arms.

“It’s not always pretty, but in the end here we had 28 puppies,” Pasquarella said. “They all survived and got great homes. And they’re all happy and healthy now.”

“It’s a shame to see that something be just not taken care of,” Krisak said. “And yeah, it’s a miracle, it really is.”

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